Page 35 - Islands Business March 2022

Security Security

Defence Minister Peter Dutton told Channel 9 “all of us” “Some politicians on the Australian side have published some
should be “realistic about China’s footprint, their exertion, fallacies of so-called Chinese coercion and deliberately created
their pressure and the way in which they conduct their busi- an atmosphere of tension, which is extremely irresponsible and
ness”. does not help regional stability and development.”
For its part, the Solomon Islands Police Commissioner is- Meanwhile Solomon Islands says its push to diversify its secu-
sued a statement saying assistance to its police force helps rity partnerships, it is also looking to Fiji.
it “fortify our regional and international commitments such “Fiji has a shared history of service with Solomon Islands
as the UN Peacekeeping Missions. I would very much wel- under various arrangement including in recent past under the
come any other bilateral partners who wish to come forward Commonwealth, RAMSI and now Solomon Islands Assistance
to modernise the RSIPF to do so, as crime and security chal- Force (SIAF). Solomon Islands hope to see a sub-regional ar-
lenges are fast evolving over time threatening the lives of rangement in place to respond to any form of warm or hot
our people.” threats facing the sub region,” the government statement said.
It’s unclear how much of a role Blackrock will play in this
“Friends to all” arrangement, although Australia will no doubt be hoping it can
Solomon Islands says its foreign policy is “Friends to all, strengthen traditional regional ties on security matters. Fiji’s
enemies to none”, and that it is diversifying its security Minister for Defence, Inia Seruiratu told reporters after the
partnerships. opening ceremony that the facility has many uses under the Boe
“Solomon Islands continue to preserve its Security Agree- Declaration. “This is not only for Fiji,” he said. “This is for the
ment with Australia as it develops and deepen its relations region. And of course, we hope that the regional partners, and
with all partners including with China. Solomon Islands all the key stakeholders will play a role as well, in looking after
recognise and appreciate the presence of Australia, Fiji and this facility for the benefit of the people of the region.”
New Zealand Security Personnel covered under the Solomon Minister Seselja said the extent to which Fiji’s neighbours are
Islands – Australia Treaty and a bilateral arrangement with involved at Blackrock will ultimately be up to Fiji.
Papua New Guinea which is being finalised. We thank the “When you’ve got a facility that is outstanding as this, I think
four countries for their presence,” a recent government I think it would be great interest in the region and I’m sure
statement said. those discussions will be happening amongst governments in the
In response to the coverage of Australian concerns over months to come.”
negotiations in Solomon Islands, China Foreign Ministry
spokesman, Wang Wenbin told journalists in Beijing that: editor@islandsbusiness.com

Region

“THE GAME PLAN FROM THE OUTSIDE IS TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER”

Continued from page 29 positives than negatives, or are there dangers looming?
I see danger, because we are stronger when we stand
the region. But do you think this renewed US engage- together. Given that we regard the region as our Blue Pacific
ment is driven more by fear of China than support for the continent, it requires us all to continue to stand together and
Forum’s Blue Pacific agenda? to consult together.
We acknowledge that the Pacific is now geopolitically I see a disturbing trend, for example, with the EU’s new Eco-
a very strategic environment, but we in the Pacific need nomic Partnership Agreement. They’ll be dealing with countries
to see that as an opportunity. Whatever the reason these in the Pacific on a bilateral basis, ignoring the collective. And
superpowers are interested in our region, we’ve got to make it’s not just the Europeans. China organised a Foreign Minis-
sure that we drive this engagement with our own priorities ters Meeting late last year, without coming through the Forum
and interests at heart. Secretariat.
But it’s good to see America engaging again, particularly I’m really concerned about this, given the geopolitical inter-
after President Trump pulling the US out of the Paris Agree- est in the region. More than ever, we need to stand together.
ment [on Climate Change]. Secretary of State Blinken’s visit It seems that the game plan from the outside is to divide and
was timely. conquer.

In today’s geopolitical context, with major powers ex- editor@islandsbusiness.com
panding their engagement at many levels, are there more

Islands Business, March 2022 35