Solomons debate Anzac force

HONIARA - Lawmakers in the anarchic and near-bankrupt Solomon Islands said on Wednesday they reluctantly saw the need for an Australian-led intervention force but warned they would not become the puppets of South Pacific neighbours.

Debate in an emergency session of parliament over plans for a 2000-strong force of police and troops was adjourned until Thursday, when the 49-member house is likely to vote on the plan.

Most speakers on Wednesday backed the intervention force, the biggest military deployment in the region since World War Two. Hundreds have died since fighting broke out in 1998 between rival ethnic militias from the main islands of Guadalcanal and Malaita.

"Sad as it may be, we have to accept that this has resulted from the fact that over the past 25 years, successive leaderships of this country have failed at all levels to lead and to serve our people," Opposition Leader John Garo told parliament.

The plan has widespread support across the Solomons, a former British protectorate of 450,000 people formerly known as "The Happy Isles". The Solomons marked the 25th anniversary of its independence with muted celebrations on Monday.

Manasseh Sogavare, who replaced former prime minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu after a police-backed coup in June 2000, complained that previous pleas for help had been ignored by major aid donors Australia and New Zealand.

"We have a reason to be extra careful...so that we strike a proper balance between achieving the objectives of such an intervention without subjecting ourselves to becoming long-term puppets of foreign parliaments," Sogavare said.

Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza assured MPs that the plan to impose order and rebuild the shattered economy and major institutions would not compromise the Solomons' sovereignty.

"We can rest assured that this offer of assistance is not one for taking over of the running of our national affairs," said Kemakeza, who has described the plan as the Solomons' last hope.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said plans were proceeding for the force, made up of 200 police, 200 troops and 1500 support crew, to be in place by the end of July. An advance party of about 15 planners arrived in Honiara on Tuesday.

"We are still moving quite successfully towards the end of this month," Downer told reporters in Brisbane.

Australia and New Zealand helped broker a fragile peace deal in October 2000 which was signed by most of the combatants.

One of those who ignored the 2000 peace deal was notorious warlord Harold Keke, who Australia and New Zealand say will have to be dealt with. Keke, whose followers are accused of killing, torturing and raping dozens of people in his Weathercoast stronghold on Guadalcanal, agreed to a ceasefire at the weekend.

- REUTERS