SI starts celebrations to mark RAMSI’s 10th year

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday July 25th, 2013

 SOLOMON Islands and Pacific Islands Forum agencies started three-day celebrations yesterday to mark the 10th anniversary of the first day of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands or RAMSI.

Solomon Islands secretary for RAMSI Jeffrey Kauha confirmed on Monday that arrangements were underway by the government, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Regional Assistant Mission to Solomon Islands to mark the event.

“This is a historical milestone for Solomon Islands as it marks 10 years of the intervention that returned law and order and security to its people after several years of internal strife. 

“We, therefore, want to give our young people an opportunity to remember the success of the partnership with our region under RAMSI,” Anga said.

Regional leaders attending the celebrations include New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, Cook Islands’ Prime Minister Henry Puna and Australia’s Foreign Minister Bob Carr.

The celebrations will focus on the achievements of RAMSI since its arrival in 2003, and a discussion about what lies ahead as the withdrawal of the last of its military contingent gets underway.

The operation is expected to finish in 2017.