18 Jul 2003

NZ Council for International Development expresses concerns about intervention force

10:46 am on 18 July 2003

New Zealand's Council for International Development, the umbrella group for NGOs, has reiterated its unease over the planned intervention force for Solomon Islands.

Executive Director Rae Julian says they back the campaign to restore law and order, but more needs to be revealed about how fundamental problems such as poverty, will be solved.

"I want them to say Yes. At the same time as we are putting in this security force, we are going to be sitting down with all members of Solomon Islands society - government and civil society - and planning what's needed. To start happening at the same time and to go on happening after there's no more need for security."