MP: Set up peacekeeping force

FORMER prime minister Sir Julius Chan has reminded the Government to set up the South Pacific peace keeping force in light of the unrest in the Solomon Islands.
Sir Julius, the New Ireland Governor, said the force was set up long before the regional assistance mission to the Solomon Islands (Ramsi). “Setting up the force was my idea when I was prime minster after leading the Government to successfully execute the granting of Independence for Vanuatu in 1980,” he said.
Sir Julius said the proposal was put forward to the Pacific Island’s Forum in 1981.
“We proposed for the formation of the force to help prevent any disorder in countries in the Pacific, if invited by heads of a troubled country to assist,” he said.
“However, Australia and New Zealand were not keen to support it at that time.
“They said it did not sound right to have such a force because it means there is disorder.
“But, I think they deliberately interpreted it that way because they were not involved in Vanuatu and wanted to stop all kinds of initiatives by us.
“Later, Australia and New Zealand agreed to form the mission which was the exact same philosophy as the force.”
Papua New Guinea created the policy and subsequently deployed the first force to Arawa in 1994 during the Bougainville crisis.
It was led by a Tongan, former PNG Defence Force commander Tony Huai.