14 Jul 2003

Australia's military intervention is unjustified

4:33 pm on 14 July 2003

The Suva based Pacific Concerns Resource Centre says Australia's plan to deploy military personnel to the Solomon Islands is an arrogant move, and it says the UN should intervene.

The PCRC says moves by Australia to restore stability contradict the outcome of the National Peace Conference held in Honiara in August 2000.

The PCRC's Tupou Vere says that conference backed demilitarisation under international control, which delegates saw as fundamental to the peace process and regaining stability.

Ms Vere says the Australian action is unjustified.

"We think that it's quite arrogant of Australia to behave as if they have a prescribed plan for situations in the Pacific Islands and we are worried about the implications for the future"

Instead, Tupou Vere says international back up intervention through the UN and involving Solomon Islanders is what is needed to sort out the problems.

She says that while there is support for the intervention from the Solomon Islands government and the Pacific Islands Forum, it doesn't necessarily reflect the people's voice.

The PCRC believes if the Australian led intervention is left unchallenged, it'll trade off people's sovereignty, indigenous rights, cultural heritage and dignity.