Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Australia's 'police' role being accepted

|
|
 
  
Published: Dec. 21, 2003 at 8:27 AM

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.

Topics: Alexander Downer, John Howard, Michael Somare
© 2003 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Notable deaths of 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee AmfAR Cinema Against AIDS gala
Indianapolis 500 Presidential Medal of Freedom Memorial Day around the nation
Additional Top News Stories
1 of 20
Singer Janelle Monae arrives at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, California
View Caption
Singer Janelle Monae arrives for the MTV Movie Awards at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. UPI/Jim Ruymen
fark
The bar for spelling has never been lowre
Turns out men cheat way more than women after all
Famous last words: "The notion that it's too late to do anything is comical. It's hilarious. We're...
Five secrets to getting the best healthcare. #6: Don't get sick
Traveling to the U.S.? If invited to a dinner party, bring a gift of wine, but not cash or toiletries...
Man turns dead pet cat into remote-controlled helicopter, calls it art (w/WTF pics)