RAMSI Chief Farewells Solomon Islands

RAMSI Chief Farewells Solomon Islands

Outgoing RAMSI Special Coordinator Tim George has been farewelling friends and colleagues in Solomon Islands this week before his departure today. Mr George is being replaced by senior Australian diplomat Mr Graeme Wilson.

Mr George, who took over as Special Coordinator in November 2006, said yesterday that his time at the helm of RAMSI had been the highlight of his career.

“I feel very privileged to have served in such a unique regional endeavour and to have worked closely with so many fine people, both Solomon Islanders as well as my own colleagues within RAMSI’s civilian, police and military contingents.

Mr George thanked RAMSI’s many stakeholders for their hard work and personal commitment to RAMSI.

“The close working partnership that we enjoy today between the Pacific Islands Forum, the Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI is the result of the goodwill, hard work and perseverance of many people on all sides of the partnership,” Mr
George said.
“I know this good work will continue and, most importantly, that I am leaving the mission in very capable hands.”

The new Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, is a senior Australian diplomat who brings to the mission considerable experience of RAMSI, Solomon Islands and the region.

Mr Wilson was recently promoted to First Assistant Secretary in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade after heading up its Pacific Branch for a number of years. Prior to that, he served as Australia’s Ambassador to Mexico. He has also served in a senior diplomatic capacity in Vanuatu, Noumea and Paris.

The Government of Australia, under the international agreement signed in 2003 which established RAMSI, is responsible for nominating the leader of RAMSI, in consultation with the Government of Solomon Islands and the Pacific Islands Forum.

ENDS

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