In step for peace... an Australian soldier marches in step with an Avu Avu local during a reconnaissance mission to the Weathercoast community a couple of days before the opening of the first Police Station outside Honiara by the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands

AFP police officer Linda Apps explains the workings of her police vehicle to locals at the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands Open Day at Town Ground

AFP police officers Steven Pereria and Trevor Coutts talk to an RSIP colleague while mingling with the huge crowds that turned out for the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands Open Day at Town Ground

A relatively large crowd turned out to witness the officially opening of a new Police Station at Avu Avu and the destruction of weapons to mark the occasion - and took up any vantage point they could for the spectacle

The excitement and noise of an event like the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands Open Day at Town Ground was a big hit with the kids

A second succesful week for RAMSI
Published Friday 8 August 2003

By Brian Hartigan in Honiara
The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has seen its second successful week in the country come and go.

The tempo for the members of the mission has not abated - the biggest advance was certainly the announcement of the weapons amnesty, which commenced at midnight on 31 July.

Following its announcement, which expires at midnight on 21 August, a hectic round of newspaper and radio announcements, as well as regional visits by key personnel, was launched to ensure that all people of the Solomon Islands know about and understand the terms and the purpose of the amnesty.

Commander of the Participating Police Force and Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Ben McDevitt emphasised to those who thought they could get away with holding on to guns that RAMSI had the resources, the capability and the commitment, backed up by the will of the people, to find guns not handed in by the twenty-first of this month.

"I have more that 100 new police officers arriving here on 15 August. Many of these are highly trained detectives. From 22 August, they will be actively engaged in seeking out weapons that have not been handed in during the amnesty and arresting every person who has not handed in his weapon."

Mr McDevitt said he had no doubt that the overwhelming majority of the population of the Solomon Islands wanted this very important step.

"The time for negotiations and deals has come and gone. Every single gun in this country must be surrendered," he said.

On a lighter note, members of RAMSI participated in an Open Day at Town Ground sports fields on Saturday.

A crowd, estimated at more than 10,000 men, women and very eager children, welcomed the opportunity to say "hallo" to their friends from Australia, New Zealand, PNG, Fiji and Tonga - and, of course, to get a close look at some of the police and military vehicles and equipment put on display.

All the sights and sounds of the day certainly entertained the young and the not so young among the crowd of visitors. For the members of RAMSI who were able to attend the Open Day, the reception they received and the warmth and sincerity of the people they spoke to was overwhelming.

Another milestone was achieved on Wednesday with the opening of a provincial police post at Avu Avu - the first of a number of police posts that will be opened around the country in the coming weeks.

The Avu Avu post is initially staffed by two police officers, but will be strengthened as more police arrive. They are supported by 50 military personnel, including infantry, engineers, medical staff and communications troops.

Mr McDevitt said the opening of this post was an enormous step forward for the community.

"As of today, this community has a new police post staffed by dedicated, professional police who are keen and willing to work with the community to help make Avu Avu a safer place to live," he said.

Mr Warner added he was pleased the post could be set up at such an early stage of the mission.

"The presence of this police post in Avu Avu will build confidence in a community that has suffered for a long time," he said.

On a fact-finding visit to gauge the progress of the mission after the first full week on the ground, Australian and New Zealand Foreign Ministers Alexander Downer and Phil Goff congratulated the members of RAMSI for the commitment they had displayed and the success they were enjoying.

They cautioned, however, against getting carried away with success, reminding members that some difficult and possibly dangerous tasks remained, especially after the weapons amnesty ends.

The point was not lost on Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza who said, "Every day, from the smallest village to the largest town, we will be praying for their safety as they go about their important work. The men and women of Operation Helpem Fren will assist us to return law and order, to recover our economy and restore the lasting peace."