On the occasion of Vanuatu’s national day, 30 July, Special Coordinator James Batley has thanked the Republic of Vanuatu for its contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

Mr Batley said that as a close Melanesian neighbour and member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, Vanuatu had a great deal to offer in supporting Solomon Islands’ national recovery. Over the last three years, RAMSI had benefitted greatly from the expertise and cultural knowledge that Vanuatu personnel brought to the mission both in Honiara and in many parts of the country.

He said that the current Vanuatu police contingent numbered three personnel commanded by PPF Adviser Benson Samuels. He said that a number of ni-Vanuatu were also providing support to RAMSI as crew on board ships contracted by RAMSI.

Mr Batley said he was pleased that a number of Vanuatu’s political leaders had had the opportunity to visit Solomon Islands over the last 12 months and to see for themselves the contribution which ni-Vanuatu were making in RAMSI. These included Prime Minister Ham Lini in August 2005, Deputy Prime Minister Sato Kilman in May 2006, and Finance Minister Willie Jimmy in July 2006.

Mr Batley, who was adopted into a community on the Vanuatu island of Emau in 1987, said that he would be marking Vanuatu’s Independence Day with members of the Vanuatu community. “I am sure we will enjoy a shell of two of kava” he said.