Goff rules out sending troops to Solomons

By JOHN ARMSTRONG and BRONWYN SELL

Foreign Minister Phil Goff has ruled out military intervention by New Zealand to restore law and order in Honiara despite pleas from his Solomon Islands counterpart to send troops to the strife-torn capital.

The latest request came amid reports that an Australian Navy amphibious landing craft carrying three Black Hawk helicopters, six light armoured vehicles and more than 200 troops was stationed off the Solomons.

The country's Foreign Minister, Patteson Oti, said yesterday that the embattled Solomons Government had asked Australia to send ashore soldiers from HMAS Manoora.

"We've been [asking for troops] every day and it has been rejected every day."

It is understood that Australia and New Zealand have canvassed various options for dealing with the crisis, including military intervention.

But that has been rejected because deployment would do nothing to solve the land dispute at the heart of the conflict, military intervention risks becoming open-ended, and diplomatic pressure is thought to be more effective for the moment.

However, the presence of the Manoora and its infantry rifle company plus Special Air Service personnel has heightened tension among warring factions onshore.

Canberra insists the vessel's only role is to protect Australians and ensure their safe evacuation.

The New Zealand frigate Te Mana has also been patrolling off the coast.

Mr Goff refused to comment, but the Herald understands a small number of troops are on board Te Mana.

They would be put ashore only to secure the New Zealand High Commission in Honiara or help with any emergency evacuation of expatriates.

Provincial premiers in the Solomons have generally supported an international peacekeeping operation, but they are opposed to any unilateral intervention by Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Goff confirmed that last weekend's Commonwealth mission had received requests for military intervention from some parties in the Solomons, while others had made it clear they did not want outside help.

He drew a sharp distinction between sending in troops to restore order - known as "peacemaking" - and deploying personnel in a "peacekeeping" capacity to monitor a lasting truce or ceasefire while peace talks took place.

Any military intervention in what would be "a classic civil war" risked international troops becoming the target, he said, especially if they killed any Guadalcanal militants or rebels from the rival Malaitan Eagle Force.

He had no doubts that a crack infantry company would quickly restore order in Honiara. Yet, while it might be possible to "win" the first month, an outside force could "lose" the next 10 years.

The Foreign Minister has repeatedly argued that a solution to the crisis must be found between the factions - and cannot be imposed from outside.

About 67 New Zealanders left the Solomons yesterday for Brisbane on Royal New Zealand Air Force flights. Another 69 left on Sunday.