Friday 6 June, 2008

RAMSI is not providing firearms training to the Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF), the Acting Special Coordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, Jonathan Austin, said today.

Dr Austin said RAMSI’s position on rearmament has not changed.

“RAMSI does not support the rearmament of the SIPF at this time. We are not training the SIPF in firearms.”

“Prime Minister Dr Sikua has said ‘no’ to rearming and we fully respect and support that decision,” Dr Austin said.

Dr Austin said recent claims by the Leader of the Opposition, Manasseh Sogavare, that RAMSI’s Participating Police Force (PPF) has been providing firearms training to members of the SIPF were simply untrue.

“RAMSI can give the community an absolute assurance that RAMSI is not doing any firearms training of the SIPF.”

Dr Austin said RAMSI had strongly opposed last year’s plans of the previous Sogavare Government to rearm the police force.

“RAMSI’s position on rearmament has always been clear and consistent. This has not changed,” he said.

“RAMSI’s first task in 2003 was to get rid of guns in the Solomon Islands and bring back law and order. This is why RAMSI was invited here in the first place – it goes to the heart of our work here”, Dr Austin said.

“The surrendering of almost 4,000 guns by the community was a powerful moment for the people of Solomon Islands. Guns brought fear into people’s lives.”

Since 2005 the central aim of the RAMSI PPF has been training and capacity building the SIPF in all aspects of modern policing. This has included members of the Prime Minister’s Close Personal Protection team who have undertaken a specially designed training program adapted to the needs of the Solomon Islands including: driving, emergency actions, close personal protection drills, planning and searching techniques but not firearms training or any kind of use of firearms. 

For further information, please contact:
Office of the Special Coordinator +677 24703 (office) +677 94447 (mobile)