Solomons calm, Islanders await foreign police

3.00pm

HONIARA - The streets of the Solomon Islands capital have been calm today, the first full day of operations for a 2225-strong Australian-led intervention force, but not a single foreign police officer has been in sight.

Residents of the former British protectorate, racked by five years of ethnic conflict and endemic corruption that followed a 2000 coup, said the presence of the biggest military deployment in the region since World War 2 alone made them feel safer.

But some in the 1000-island chain, 3000km northwest of New Zealand, were puzzled at the ultra low-key start to enforcing law and order in Honiara, a ramshackle town of 40,000 that grew up around an old US military airfield.

"We have no information yet about joint patrols," said Solomon Islands police constable Moses Boe as he manned the police post at Honiara's central market.

"Sure I feel safer," he added, recounting that during ethnic clashes between Guadalcanal and Malaita islanders, which began in 1998, his life had been threatened by fellow police officers because of his refusal to take sides.

There was no sign of trouble today from the ethnic militia that the peacekeepers from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea had come to rein in.

Wading ashore at Red Beach, where US marines spilled their blood in their first offensive against the Japanese in the Battle for Guadalcanal 61 years ago, and flying in on Australian air force C-130 Hercules, up to 800 of the force arrived yesterday.

The head of the $343 million a year intervention, Australian diplomat Nick Warner, said its first task would be to secure Honiara on Guadalcanal and launch joint patrols with Solomons police.

The first "symbolic" joint patrol took place just after dusk yesterday, with one officer from each side strolling down Honiara's main street. But it was unclear whether it had been followed later at night by any genuine joint excursions.

Once Honiara has been secured, troops or police may move out to the provinces to take on warlords such as Harold Keke, accused of killing dozens and terrorising villagers on the Weathercoast.

The police operation is being accompanied by a programme to rebuild government departments and the justice system, which could take years to complete.

Unarmed New Zealand police expect to be patrolling the streets of the Solomons Islands capital of Honiara within three weeks.

The 10 New Zealand police already on Guadalcanal will be joined by 25 more on August 25 as part of the Pacific peacekeeping force and while the bulk of the New Zealand police will not carry weapons, the contingent will include the heavily-armed police Special Tactics Group.

New Zealand police commander, Assistant Commissioner Tony Annandale was due to arrive in the Solomons today aboard an air force Hercules with 17 other soldiers, sailors and airmen and an Iroquois helicopter as part of the advance guard.

In Townsville, Australia, yesterday for a multi-national farewell, he said he was not concerned that the New Zealand police under his commander were not armed.

He said their intelligence did not indicate rebel Harold Keke and other warring factions and lawless groups would see the police as a target in the capital of Honiara, or farther afield.

"We have got a lot of support and I think we will be able to deal with any situation," he said.

Some places the police would go would not need armed back up from the military, but if necessary the military muscle was available, he said.

Prime Minister Helen Clark told the official farewell the international force would help re-establish law and order and give Solomon Islanders the fresh start they deserved.

She said the New Zealand police would not be coming home for some time.

"It is going to take time to build a police force that can really deal with the bad elements of the Solomons."

She said it was hoped the military would not be there as long, and some would be home within six months.

The risk to troops remained from people such as Harold Keke.

"Mr Keke is a dangerous man. He has been responsible for a lot of death and a lot of trauma," he said.

"It would be nice to see him brought to account and see the justice system in the Solomons work."

Helen Clark said the peacekeeping force would have a low-key start to build up the support and confidence of the local people.

"We know New Zealanders in similar situations elsewhere have done a wonderful job," she said.

Foreign Minister Phil Goff is due to visit the Solomons next week after an informal forum with French President Jacques Chirac in French Polynesia on Sunday.

Mr Goff will leave French Polynesia on Wednesday to visit the Solomons for two days with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

"We will be talking with Prime Minister (Allan) Kemakeza about the strengthened assistance package, and how we can work with the Solomon Islands government and people to ensure the success of the intervention," said Mr Goff.

He and Mr Downer would meet local representatives from non-government organisations, churches and women's groups.

"Naturally, we will also touch base with the New Zealand police and military personnel in Honiara to get a feel for how they see Operation Helpem Fren developing."

- NZPA