TY - UNPB
T1 - Policy Paper - A long-term engagement: the future of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands
AU - Allen, Matthew
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - Support for the gradual withdrawal of the Australian led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been building both in Australia and in Solomon Islands since 2007. The relative peace and security enjoyed by Solomon Islands since the post election riots of 2006, coupled with the comparative economic stability of the past seven years, has underpinned a growing confidence that RAMSI can be gradually drawn down and that many of its functions can be 'transitioned' to the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), to Australia's bilateral aid program, and to other bilateral and multilateral donor programs. That said, opinions differ about timeframes, especially within Solomon Islands. While surveys suggest that the vast majority of Solomon Islanders continue to support the presence of RAMSI, some of their elected political leaders have expressed strong opposition to the mission. In February 2011 RAMSI was again at the centre of a diplomatic furore, with unsupported allegations emanating from Prime Minister Danny Philip's office that the Australian Government is unhappy with his five year exit timetable for RAMSI, and instead prefers an open ended commitment. These agendas are clearly driven by short term parochial interests and political expediency. However, they highlight the difficulties involved in developing credible policy options for the future of RAMSI. It's argued here that a complete transition of Australian support from the very particular vehicle that is RAMSI isn't a credible option.It's argued here that a complete transition of Australian support from the very particular vehicle that is RAMSI isn't a credible option. While Australian assistance can be progressively and significantly 'desecuritised', the historical relationships between political economy and conflict in Solomon Islands indicate that the country is entering into a high risk period for conflict. This means that an external 'security guarantee' will need to be maintained, and RAMSI provides a useful vehicle for doing so
AB - Support for the gradual withdrawal of the Australian led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been building both in Australia and in Solomon Islands since 2007. The relative peace and security enjoyed by Solomon Islands since the post election riots of 2006, coupled with the comparative economic stability of the past seven years, has underpinned a growing confidence that RAMSI can be gradually drawn down and that many of its functions can be 'transitioned' to the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), to Australia's bilateral aid program, and to other bilateral and multilateral donor programs. That said, opinions differ about timeframes, especially within Solomon Islands. While surveys suggest that the vast majority of Solomon Islanders continue to support the presence of RAMSI, some of their elected political leaders have expressed strong opposition to the mission. In February 2011 RAMSI was again at the centre of a diplomatic furore, with unsupported allegations emanating from Prime Minister Danny Philip's office that the Australian Government is unhappy with his five year exit timetable for RAMSI, and instead prefers an open ended commitment. These agendas are clearly driven by short term parochial interests and political expediency. However, they highlight the difficulties involved in developing credible policy options for the future of RAMSI. It's argued here that a complete transition of Australian support from the very particular vehicle that is RAMSI isn't a credible option.It's argued here that a complete transition of Australian support from the very particular vehicle that is RAMSI isn't a credible option. While Australian assistance can be progressively and significantly 'desecuritised', the historical relationships between political economy and conflict in Solomon Islands indicate that the country is entering into a high risk period for conflict. This means that an external 'security guarantee' will need to be maintained, and RAMSI provides a useful vehicle for doing so
M3 - Working paper
SP - 1
EP - 20
BT - Policy Paper - A long-term engagement: the future of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands
PB - Australian Strategic Institute
CY - Canberra
ER -