RAMSI Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, today congratulated the Hon. Danny Philip, on his election as Prime Minister and pledged to work closely with the new government.

“RAMSI stands ready to work with the new government in a spirit of true partnership," Mr Wilson said.

“We believe that Solomon Islands can have a bright future and would like to work closely with the new government to contribute to that goal.”

Mr Wilson welcomed the Prime Minister’s assurance that he wanted to work with RAMSI.

“We have every confidence that, through close dialogue and consultation, we can build a genuine and constructive partnership with the new government that will serve Solomon Islands best interests.”
 
“As a nation, Solomon Islands still faces many challenges and there is much hard work to be done,” the Special Coordinator said. 

Friday 13 August 2010

RAMSI Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, today presented traditional gifts or chupu, to the family and community of the Solomon Islands man who died in an incident involving RAMSI security forces, on Thursday 12 August.

Mr Wilson, who was accompanied by RAMSI’s senior police, military and civilian officials, pledged to work with the family of the late Harry Lolonga and the communities of Titinge and Peochakuri on the Weathercoast to resolve the issue amicably.

Presenting the chupu, Mr Wilson said the gifts of shell money, a pig, traditional root crops and other foodstuffs were being humbly presented by RAMSI as recognition of Guadalcanal tradition known as Lakasia Namate.
 
“As we mourn Harry Lolonga’s passing, let us all pray and ask God’s divine guidance in working together with all parties to resolve this tragic incident amicably.”

RAMSI Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, today expressed his deepest regret at the tragic death of a Solomon Islands man in a fatal shooting by RAMSI security forces on the outskirts of Honiara today.

Mr Wilson said he wanted to extend the Mission’s heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased on behalf of all members of the Regional Assistance Mission, including RAMSI’s Participating Police Force (PPF) and military contingent.

“RAMSI met with representatives of the family today and expressed our deepest sympathy at the loss of their relative,” Mr Wilson said.

RAMSI’s Participating Police Force (PPF) is assisting the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission to speed up the counting process by collecting ballot boxes from East, Central and East Central Guadalcanal and the Reef Islands.

A helicopter chartered by RAMSI has been flying officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to a number of locations across Guadalcanal today and yesterday to collect ballot boxes which have then been handed over to Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) officials. A similar process is expected to be followed tomorrow for boxes waiting to be collected in the Reef Islands. 

Thursday 5 August 2010

RAMSI’s Participating Police Force (PPF) have rescued a 30 year old woman, after she spent more than 24 hours alone in a canoe lost at sea.

Following reports of a boat carrying three passengers missing at sea, the Commander of RAMSI’s Participating Police Force, Wayne Buchhorn, approved the use of PPF boats and helicopters to conduct a search of the area. 

Patricia Graham had remained  alone in a canoe when her companions swam for two and a half hours to reach Savo Island to call for help.

Ms Graham was eventually located on Tuesday after an intense 24 hour search in very rough seas. She was taken to the RAMSI medical facility, ASPEN, where she was treated for dehydration.

Tuesday 3 August 2010

RAMSI’s Participating Police Force (PPF) has assisted the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission deliver ballot papers to Malaita Province in time for Wednesday’s poll.

A PPF helicopter flew to Auki on Monday and then onto a number of remote constituencies in Malaita including East and West Are Are, North Malaita, Small Malaita and Lau Baelelea to deliver ballot papers and other election materials after the Electoral Commission made an urgent request for assistance.

A delay in printing combined with the current bad weather had hampered original plans by the Electoral Commission to distribute materials to remote parts of the province by boat.
 
The Commander of RAMSI’s Participating Police Force, Wayne Buchhorn, said RAMSI was willing to assist the election process as appropriate. 

Monday 2 August 2010

A new photographic exhibition is set to showcase the history and achievements of one of the Pacific’s biggest success stories, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

The exhibition, RAMSI: A history in pictures will be launched this week in Port Vila, Vanuatu as part of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting. The exhibition covers the history and progress achieved by RAMSI in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government– and the people, places and events that have shaped this unique regional mission since it commenced in Vanuatu’s close neighbour of Solomon Islands in 2003.

Friday 30 July 2010

RAMSI Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, today urged Solomon Islanders to respect each other’s democratic rights when taking part in next week’s national elections.

Mr. Wilson said RAMSI was encouraging all Solomon Islanders to make their contribution to free, fair and peaceful elections by respecting other voters and acting responsibly on polling day.

“Everyone needs to play their part in supporting a safe and fair election process,” he said. “It is the conduct of the community that will deliver this nation free elections.”

Friday 23 July 2010

The partnership between RAMSI and the Solomon Islands is in good shape after seven years of working together to rebuild the nation, RAMSI Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, said today in a statement to mark the Mission’s anniversary on Saturday 24 July.

This is increasingly evident as RAMSI and Solomon Islands work together to implement the Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI Partnership Framework, Mr Wilson said.

“The close consultation and cooperation between RAMSI and the Solomon Islands people and Government has laid a strong foundation to address the many challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

Monday 5 July 2010

RAMSI’s Special Coordinator has paid tribute to the hundreds of Tongans and Samoans who have helped rebuild Solomon Islands since the Regional Assistance Mission was first deployed in 2003.

Speaking on his return from visiting Tonga and Samoa, Mr Wilson said the two founding members of RAMSI had made outstanding contributions to the Mission over the past seven years.

“RAMSI’s regional nature is its underlying strength and we value the participation of every Forum Island country”, Mr Wilson said.

In the case of Samoa and Tonga, both countries have contributed police and civilian advisers while Tonga also provides soldiers to RAMSI’s military contingent.