24th July, 2003
Leader of Solomons intervention force says operation
a 'last chance'
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Ambrose Pereira sdb
HONIARIA: 25th July -- Police and soldiers from Australia and other Pacific
nations are being airlifted to Solomon Islands from the northern Australian city
of Townsville, as part of the multi-national intervention force to restore law
and order. They joined others who arrived aboard HMAS Manoora.
The Australian leading the Solomon Islands Intervention Force has promised
Solomon Islanders, that the operation to revive their nation will work.
Special coordinator, Nick Warner, said: "I think it probably is the last chance.
I think the decline in the economy, in the delivery of services, has been so
severe over the last few years and the size of this intervention is so large and
so expensive it's very hard to see that it could be repeated. But if it's the
last chance, it's a chance that's actually going to work," he
said.
Its a mission vital to the rebuilding the country - its
law, order and its economy. The people of Solomon Islands rejoice and
hope that it once more be the 'Hapi Isles' it once was.