Earlier tonight on the Island Sun Facebook page there was an article and photographs of three police officers patrolling, what seemed a deserted road in Honiara. The three burly policemen I presumed were officers from the Australian Federal Police, deployed most recently to help restore “normality” to the city after the recent three-day spell of unlawful activity which had involved rioting, arson, looting, and criminal damage to many Chinese owned stores, properties and business premises, including to police stations, a school and a bank.
The Facebook article with photographs quickly disappeared for some unknown reason but not before I read a message saying the police was there to help a friend.
I do acknowledge the swift intervention by Australian police, of ADF troops and Foreign Affairs personnel, not forgetting the help on the ground of PNG troops and New Zealand soldiers, also supported by naval vessels sent from Australia and New Zealand.
It is my great hope that the return to what might be described as “normality’ again will allow politicians and provincial leaders to meet and resolve differences that have been alleged to have been behind the recent civil disturbances.
In 1999 when I requested short term intervention from Australia with a military deployment and assets my request was flatly refused, as was the same request for assistance made by the then SI’s elected Prime Minister,
In the intervening years from 1999 to 2003, when RAMSI intervened the country had collapsed along with its economy, reputation and coupled with many deaths of innocent citizens and a divided nation split along ethnic lines and loyalties, including many then serving in the local police service.
I never want to witness again what happened to the Solomon Islands in the years I have described and was genuinely hurt by events recently.
In years to come the history of the events of late 1998 to mid-1999 will become clear and I hope truthfully stated, as indeed I wrote in my book ‘Policing a Clash of Cultures’ that I published within a short time of leaving my work as the police commissioner. (My reference to my book is not made to encourage or invite anyone to buy and read it, but it does serve to this day as a genuine and truthful account of my time in Office and illustrates how I was maligned by those who wittingly, or were coerced to do so, and write wholly defamatory stories about me).
After last week’s civil unrest and concern, apparent even to my son, he asked me, ‘Dad why do you concern yourself for the Solomon Islands, the people there and why after more than 24 years do you worry and involve yourself so much in the affairs of the country?”
My honest answer was, “Because I swore an oath to serve the Solomon Islands and because my leaving was not of my choice but forced upon me by prejudicial influences both then internal and external, I will not abandon my promise.”
Pia's words some may say, but nevertheless the truth.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
