NZ sends troops to riot zone

The rioters have burned most of the buildings in Chinatown, the heart of Honiara's business district. Picture / Reuters

New Zealand will today begin sending 55 more troops and police to the Solomon Islands to stop rioting and looting in Honiara.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said last night that the rapid deployment of the 30 police and 25 regular force soldiers to augment the 82 police and soldiers already there would send "a very clear signal" to rioters in the capital, Honiara.

The reinforcements would be drawn from staff who had previously served in the Solomons, she said.

The troops were expected to leave from Whenuapai today, depending on the availability of aircraft.

The New Zealand Government was still considering whether to issue directives urging about 200 New Zealand nationals in the Solomons to get out, though military flights would be available for anyone anxious to leave.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff were to accompany the reinforcements and the ministry was not yet intending to bring staff home, Helen Clark said.

Last night a dusk to dawn curfew was imposed in Honiara in the hope it would curb looting in the town.

Honiara, with a population of more than 50,000, was under a pall of smoke yesterday after people angered by the choice of Snyder Rini as the country's new Prime Minister went on the rampage.

Chinatown, the heart of the capital's commercial district, was reduced to ashes and wreckage on Tuesday night. The Solomons Star newspaper reported just five buildings remained standing after the night's violence.

By daybreak yesterday an estimated 300-plus rioters remained on the streets. Schools, shops, banks and offices were all closed.

Police struggled to contain the rioters, with 17 Australian officers and three New Zealand police suffering injuries. One of the New Zealanders had been concussed and was under medical supervision. Another needed treatment after getting glass in his eyes, while a third had suffered minor injuries after a tussle with looters.

Auckland businessman Ray Vuksich, who has visited Honiara about 50 times, said he could not believe the violence among the 400 to 500 drunk locals who attacked the Chinese-owned Pacific-Casino Hotel.

"It was terrifying. They were waving their machetes around. Women were screaming."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced yesterday afternoon that a contingent of 110 soldiers, who had been on standby in Townsville in case of unrest, were on their way to the Solomons. They were to be joined by 70 police officers.

Mr Rini was reported to be in hiding, while a delegation of about 1000 people had presented a petition to Governor-General Nathaniel Waena asking that the Prime Minister step aside.

The violence erupted after Mr Rini was elected to the top post following the first election since Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific governments intervened in 2003.

Supporters of rival candidate Job Dudley Tausinga vented their rage, claiming the vote was fixed. They say the new ruling coalition was funded and influenced by Chinese money, a claim Mr Rini denies.

New Zealand has played a significant role in rebuilding the Solomons, with troops and police stationed there since mid-2003.

Helen Clark acknowledged the violence was a setback, coming just days after an election hailed as a sign of normalcy returning to a country that had been embroiled in a bloody civil war.

"This situation has arisen in the aftermath of the election of Prime Minister yesterday, and we have to be prepared to deal with it."

There are 47 defence force personnel in the Solomons. Army spokeswoman Major Denise McKay said New Zealand troops had not been called upon to help quell the rioting and had remained in place guarding Honiara's Rove prison and Henderson airfield. A detachment on patrol on a boat had since been called back to the capital.

The defence force had been in contact with as many families as possible to let them know what the situation was in the Solomons, Major McKay said.

There are 35 New Zealand police in the Solomons.

Of the 200 New Zealanders in Honiara, about 20 are tourists or other short-term visitors. They were all believed to be safe last night.

The High Commission's five New Zealand staff in Honiara were also safe.


Travel advice

* The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade warns against non-essential travel to the Solomon Islands.
* It recommended NZers monitor radio news, avoid large gatherings, exercise caution when travelling by road, especially in the capital, and follow the advice of the Solomons Police.
* NZ military flights would be available for anyone anxious to leave.