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| Australia: keep the troops out of Solomon Islands Workers Power Global, Melbourne: 29 June 2003 |
Now John Howard has announced the Australian government will send police and troops to the Solomons. As an excuse they are using a request from the beleagured Solomon’s government for assistance. This government has found itself facing bankruptcy on top of the waves of violence.
But the police and the troops sent to protect them are not on some fine peace-keeping mission. In fact they have been told they may need to use lethal force. But lethal force to do what?
The truth is that Australia has serious business interests in the Solomon Islands. The Islands are a rich source of timber and fish but also gold. The Gold Ridge mine on Guadalcanal is owned by an Australian company, Delta Gold and the company has expressed an interest in seeing the mine re-opened.
Australia has strategic interests too. The Solomon Islands are a major approach route to Australia. But also Australia needs to firmly assert its role as the “policeman” of the Pacific. Howard sees the need to show his US allies that he can be the strong man that they need in this part of the world.
There is no doubt that the sending of Australian forces has no humanitarian component. This is an occupation force to protect Australian interests.
The ALP and the Greens have been a disgrace on this issue. Both have supported the sending of troops. In Australia only the Socialist Alliance has made a clear statement against the sending of troops.
It is years of exploitation that has put the Solomons in the position it is now. In fact during the early part of last century Solomons Islanders were among those kidnapped for a virtual slave trade in labour for the Queensland sugar cane plantations. Thousands of Pacific Islanders were brought against their will to Australia with many dying from the terrible conditions in which they were forced to live.
Australia continues that imperialist drive today with the sending of troops.
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