Australia's 'police' role being accepted

HONIRA, Solomon Islands, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Australia's prime minister is visiting the Solomon Islands to thank troops and others serving there as part of his interventionist Pacific policy.

Prime Minister John Howard said the second phase of his plan to restore order to the islands will soon begin as military troops are reduced from 1,500 to 600.

The Australian newspaper reported Howard said about 500 people in the island nation have been arrested as part of the effort to restore civil order and address corruption.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia's role as the Pacific's policeman is being accepted by all leaders in the region.

Speaking Saturday in Fiji, Downer said initial doubts about Australia's robust intervention have been swept aside and what had been perceived as a regional version of the United States to provide security and good governance is now warmly being welcomed by the Pacific island nations.

"Despite some initial concerns from Papua New Guinea's Michael Somare, everyone now warmly accepts Australia's new role, even New Zealand," he said.