Solomon Islands grateful for PNG help

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By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
SOLOMON Islands police have appreciated the efforts of PNG police in helping restore law and order after a civil war there in 2000, deputy police commissioner, operations, Jim Andrews says.
That appreciation was translated at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby yesterday when Andrews, on behalf of Solomon Islands, presented medals to 32 members of the Papua New Guinea officers.
The members were deployed in batches of 10 for about six months to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (Ramsi) from 2003 to last year.
They went as part of the Australian-led Ramsi Force to restore peace and control crime after a complete breakdown of law and order.
“With the permission of the Solomon Islands government, this medal is awarded to a member of an international police force, who provided direct support to the RSIPF (Royal Solomon Islands Police Force) to assist with law enforcement initiatives, and who served in the Solomon Islands for a minimum period of 180 days between 2003 and 2017,” Andrews said.
“The Ramsi mission began in 2003 and initially involved the soldiers, police and civilians from Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, PNG, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.
“I’ am proud of the fact that the RPNGC was able to provide assistance to the Ramsi mission right from the start in 2003, and we maintained presence there until 2017.
“So with 15 years of representation in Ramsi, you can all be very proud of the contributions you have made to help one of our closest neighbours.”
“The Ramsi mission was a wonderful example of neighbourly cooperation, where many countries worked together to assist a country in trouble.
“I’m particularly proud that you were able to represent the RPNGC in an international law-enforcement environment.
“I’ am sure that you are grateful for the opportunities that were given to you, and I’ am sure that you have made many good friends from your time with Ramsi.”