The Australian prime minister, John Howard, has been chosen by the Hawaii-based publication, Pacific Magazine, as its Pacific Man of the Year.
The magazine says the telling point in Mr Howard's favour was his intervention in Solomon Islands, describing it as a pivotal event in the region's history.
It says in Honiara, Mr Howard was received with relief by people on the streets as a liberator from the shameful misrule of their own leaders and their hooligan accomplices.
The magazine also says Australia has its own national interests to pursue in the region, not all of them benevolent, but now having captured Mr Howard's attention, the islands would be foolish to let it slip.
The Pacific Magazine says some will be taken aback by the nomination.
