MALU’U, Solomon Islands – A platoon of Tongan soldiers on North Malaita assisted in an arrest last week involving several youths who had been wanted by the police for a long time.  Following the arrests, rocks were thrown into the soldiers’ camp, and there was an attempt to break into the camp on 23 October.  After disturbing the intruders, soldiers found a bag containing weapons, which they turned over to the police.

Lieutenant Colonel Ian Upjohn, the RAMSI military commander, assured Solomon Islanders that RAMSI soldiers follow the same laws as everyone else in the Solomons.  He told Radio New Zealand International, “If they are attacked I expect them to defend themselves. By the same token everyone is subject to rules of engagement and the need to use force only if reasonable and necessary and not more than that. And if my investigation leads me to people who have conducted themselves improperly then they will be dealt with quite severely.”

For more information, please see:

Solomon Star – RAMSI probe Malu’u incident – 02 November 2007

Islands Business (Pacnews) – RAMSI investigates Tongan soldiers alleged brutality – 02 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – RAMSI probes reports of altercation between soldiers and drunk Solomons youths – 02 November 2007