21 April 2006
Further deployment to Solomon Islands
Prime Minister Helen Clark said today that up to 53 more New Zealand defence force personnel would be sent to the
Solomon Islands on Sunday.
“On Wednesday, the Caretaker Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands and the Prime Minister-designate requested more
military and police resources from the Regional Assistance Mission, to assist in the restoration of law and order and to
provide assurance and confidence to the public.
“The Regional Assistance Mission has now advised that more troops are required to meet that request.
“This afternoon, the New Zealand Government decided to respond by sending up to another 53 army personnel, in addition
to the thirty extra police officers and 25 army personnel sent yesterday.
“With those already deployed to the Solomons prior to this week’s unrest, this will bring the total number of New
Zealand personnel there to 192: 125 defence personnel and 67 police.
"The extra troops are required to help give broader coverage of Honiara, better protection of infrastructure, and
greater capacity to investigate and apprehend key offenders.
"New Zealand is committed to helping provide a more secure environment in the Solomon Islands and to support the
constitutional process there.
“The troops are expected to depart on Sunday, 23 April,” Helen Clark said.
A deployment of 30 police officers and 25 army personnel was sent to the Solomon Islands on Thursday to reinforce New
Zealand's existing contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission.
Civil unrest broke out in the Solomon Islands on Tuesday, 18 April, following the election of Snyder Rini as Prime
Minister.
ENDS