PNG has vital role to play in regional assistance missions

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK in Honiara
PAPUA New Guinea has a valuable role in the regional assistance mission to the Solomon Islands (Ramsi) due to the similarity in Melanesian culture, Ramsi coordinator Tim George said in the Honiara yesterday.
“And we see PNG as a key and a major contributor to help Ramsi restore law and order on the Solomon Islands.
“PNG Defence Force soldiers, police officers and civilian advisers have been doing a good job with Ramsi since July 2003.
“I met Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, Police Commissioner Gari Baki and PNGDF commander Commodore Peter Ilau last year in Port Moresby and got their support.”
A PNG police officer attached to Ramsi, Bustin Anzu, said that the locals always feel free to consult with them because we share the Melanesian culture.
PNG is involved
with 12 Pacific Island nations in the Australian- led Ramsi.
Currently, there are 34 PNGDF soldiers, five civilian advisers and eight police officers attached to Ramsi.
Mr George, who welcome the five PNG journalists along with 16 others from the region, said he appreciated the support of the media in the region to RAMSI.
The journalists are attending a five-day regional workshop titled “Preparing for Change: Development Journalism and Social Responsibility”, at the Quality Motel.