Solomons resentment builds
Monday, April 28th, 2008Brendan Nicholson; 28/4/08
Resentment is growing in the Solomon Islands over the extent to which the Australian-led peacekeeping mission there is driving up prices and leaving the local people much worse off, a foreign aid watchdog group has warned. A report by the private organisation, AID/Watch, to be released this week, says the $1.3 billion operation has triggered rapid inflation and inflicted “aid trauma” on the islanders. It says many of the aid workers, soldiers, police and contacted companies involved have a strong interest in keeping the operation going. Australia has spent $1.3 billion heading the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands peacekeeping operation, launched after a chronic breakdown in law and order there in 2003. Some 95% of RAMSI personnel are Australian.
