Rainbows across the Mountains:∗
2007; Routledge; Volume: 42; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/00223340701461635
ISSN1469-9605
Autores Tópico(s)Australian History and Society
ResumoAbstract The social crisis which ravaged Solomon Islands from 1998 to 2003 has taught us many lessons. ‘Rainbows across the mountains’ symbolises a genuine wish by Solomon Islanders to rebuild their country with new insights and understanding. Some improvements, such as a vigorous campaign for a clean election, were seen in the 2006 national election, the first since RAMSI arrived in Solomon Islands in 2003. The Sogavare government, which assumed power in May 2006, has placed to the fore issues of good governance, quality leadership, the weeding out of corruption, national healing, decentralisation and equitable distribution of development and wealth. Though many challenges and difficulties face us, we hope that — with political stability, a renewed wave of commitment and dedication by Solomon Islanders, and the support of RAMSI, our international friendly nations and donor partners — we shall achieve some of our goals. ∗This article contains the author's private views and in no way is representative of the policies of the current Solomon Islands Government. Notes ∗This article contains the author's private views and in no way is representative of the policies of the current Solomon Islands Government. 1 Clive Moore, Happy Isles in Crisis: the historical causes for a failing state in Solomon Islands, 1998–2004 (Canberra 2004); Jon Fraenkel, The Manipulation of Custom: from uprising to intervention in the Solomon Islands (Wellington 2004); Judith A. Bennett, ‘Roots of Conflict in Solomon Islands: though much is taken, much abides: legacies of tradition and colonialism’, Discussion Paper 02/5, State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Project, Australian National University (Canberra 2002), available online http://rspas.anu.edu.au/papers/melanesia/discussion_papers/bennett02-5.pdf (accessed 13 May 2006); Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka, ‘Political Reviews: Solomon Islands’, The Contemporary Pacific, 11:2 (1999), 443–9; Sinclair Dinnen, ‘Winners and losers: politics and disorder in the Solomon Islands, 2000–2002’, Journal of Pacific History, 37:3 (2002), 285–98. 2 Clive Moore, ‘The RAMSI Intervention in the Solomon Islands crisis’, Journal of Pacific Studies, 28 (2005), 56–77; Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka, ‘Australian Foreign Policy and the RAMSI intervention in Solomon Islands’, Contemporary Pacific, 17:2 (2005), 283–308; Elsina Wainwright, How is RAMSI Faring? Progress, Challenges, and Lessons Learned, Strategic Insight 14, Australian Strategic Policy Institute (Canberra 2005), available online http://www.aspi.org.au/publications/publication_details.aspx?ContentID=68&pubtype=6 (accessed 11 Apr. 2007); Terry Brown, ‘Current issues in Solomon Islands politics: RAMSI and beyond’, paper presented to the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Project Seminar Series, Australian National University, Canberra 7 Jul. 2005, notes available online http://rspas.anu.edu.au/papers/melanesia/seminars/05_0707_sp_brownNotes.pdf (accessed 11 Apr. 2007); Michael Fullilove, The Testament of Solomons: RAMSI and International State-Building, Analysis series, Lowy Institute for International Policy (Sydney 2006), available online http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=351 (accessed 11 Apr. 2007). 3 Sam Alasia, ‘Party Politics and Government in Solomon Islands’, Discussion Paper 97/7, State Society and Governance in Melanesian Project, Australian National University (Canberra 1997), available online, http://rspas.anu.edu.au/papers/melanesia/discussion_papers/ssgmalasia.pdf (accessed 11 Apr. 2007); Sam Alasia, ‘Big man and party politics: the evolution of political parties in Solomon Islands’, Pacific Perspective, 13:2 (1988), 72–84; Sam Alasia, ‘Population Movement’, in Hugh Laracy (ed.), Ples Blong Iumi: Solomon Islands, the past four thousand years (Suva 1989), 112–20. 4 I take as my text here Vilsoni Hereniko and Terence Wesley-Smith (eds), ‘Back to the Future: Decolonizing Pacific Studies’, Special Issue, The Contemporary Pacific, 15:1 (2003). 5 Moore, ‘Government, politics and civil society, 1893–2000’ in Happy Isles in Crisis, 25–67; Peter Larmour with Sue Tara (eds), Solomon Islands Politics (Suva 1983). 6 Peter Larmour (ed.), Land in the Solomon Islands (Suva 1979), Appendix II, 249. 7 Esau Tuza, ‘Silas Eton of New Georgia’, in Garry Tromp (ed.), Prophets of Melanesia: six essays (Port Moresby 1977), 65–87. 8 Arthur Wate, ‘More people return to vote in home provinces’, Solomon Star, 3 Apr. 2006. 9 Solomon Star, 17 Mar. 2006. 10 Moffat Mamu, ‘Know who you’re dealing with’, Solomon Star, 31 Mar. 2006; ‘Re “Streetman” to Editor, “PM & Moss saga”’, Sir Peter Keilor, Letter to Editor, Solomon Star, 3 Apr. 2006. 11 He was arrested in October 2006. Arthur Wate, ‘Sir Allan says he will fight charges’, Solomon Star, 26 Oct. 2006. 12 Moffat Mamu, ‘Sir Allan back in’, Solomon Star, 10 Apr. 2006. 13 Solomon Star, 16 Mar. 2006. 14 Solomon Star, 17 Mar. 2006. 15 Kabini Sanga, ‘The MP as leader’, Solomon Star, 31 Mar. 2006; Concerned Students, Woodford International School, ‘We have the power’, Solomon Star, 3 Apr. 2006; Arthur Wate's interview with Sir Baddley Devesi, Solomon Star, 4 Apr. 2006. 16 Solomon Star, 4 Apr. 2006. 17 Arthur Wate, ‘Central Bank Governor backs clean election’, Solomon Star, 30 Mar. 2006; Moffat Mamu, ‘Winds of change over Solomon Islands’, Solomon Star, 31 Mar. 2006; Arthur Wate, ‘Clean election campaign receives public applause’, Solomon Star, 4 Apr. 2006; Moffat Mamu, ‘C’wealth team pleased with election’, Solomon Star, 7 Apr. 2006; Moffat Mamu, ‘Election observers say it's free & fair’, Solomon Star, 10 Apr. 2006. 18 Arthur Wate, ‘Forum observers on their way to SI’, Solomon Star, 3 Apr. 2006; Moffat Mamu, ‘Observers will be deployed to provinces’, Solomon Star, 31 Mar. 2006; Moffat Mamu, ‘NZ to send 10 observers’, Solomon Star, 31 Mar. 2006; Arthur Wate, ‘44 international observers here’, Solomon Star, 4 Apr. 2006. 19 Moffat Mamu, ‘More register to vote in election’, Solomon Star, 28 Mar. 2006. 20 ‘New electoral system tested in the real world’, Government Communications Unit, Solomon Islands Government, 6 Apr. 2006. 21 Arthur Wate, ‘Coalition govt predicted’, Solomon Star, 4 Apr. 2006. 22 Moffat Mamu, ‘Women's council calls for quotas’, Solomon Star, 11 Apr. 2006. 23 ‘Final election results’, Press Release, Government Communications Unit, 10 Apr. 2006. 24 Moffat Mamu, ‘Five members sign clean PM election pledge’, Solomon Star, 13 Apr. 2006. 25 Moffat Mamu, ‘New MPs caught in political tussle’, Solomon Star, 13 Apr. 2006. 26 Moffat Mamu, ‘AIMP hopes to lead next govt’, Solomon Star, 11 Apr. 2006. 27 Moffat Mamu, ‘Coalition formed’, Solomon Star, 13 Apr. 2006. 28 Moffat Mamu, ‘Breaking News — SI new PM’, Solomon Star, 18 Apr. 2006. 29 There is a video recording of the lead-up to and the riot outside the Parliament, recorded for use by a new TV station in Honiara. 30 Joel Lamani, ‘PM sworn in secretly’, Solomon Star, 21 Apr. 2006; Evan Wasuka, ‘PM denies influence of Asian businesses’, Solomon Star, 19 Apr. 2006. 31 Tausinger became Deputy Prime Minister until he resigned in December 2006. 32 Evan Wasuka, ‘First test for Rini's Govt’, Solomon Star, 26 Apr. 2006; Evan Wasuka, ‘Rini bows out’, Solomon Star, 27 Apr. 2006. 33 Donaldson Rusa, ‘PM’s resignation greeted with joy’, Solomon Star, 27 Apr. 2006. 34 Arthur Wate, ‘Curfew lifted’, Solomon Star, 28 Apr. 2006. 35 Arthur Wate, ‘Fino and Sogavare to vie for PM’s post’, Solomon Star, 1 May 2006. 36 Arthur Wate, ‘Four coalition partnerships formed to contest PM election’, Solomon Star, 1 May 2006. 37 Arthur Wate, ‘Fono urged to clarify allegations’, Solomon Star, 25 May 2006. 38 Evan Wasuka, ‘Jailed MPs seek permission to vote’, Solomon Star, 3 May 2006. There was precedent for doing this: another MP had been allowed to vote while in hospital. 39 It so alleged that Rini voted for Sogavare. 40 Evan Wasuka, ‘PM slams Downer for interfering’, Solomon Star, 9 May 2006. 41 Mary-Louise O’Callaghan, ‘Solomon Ministers sacked before Downer lands’, The Australian, 19 May 2006; Arthur Wate, ‘A Step further PM’, Solomon Star, 19 May 2006; Evan Wasuka, ‘Acting ministers step in the right direction: Downer’, Solomon Star, 22 May 2006. 42 Grand Coalition for Change Government, Policy Framework Document (Honiara 2006). 43 Moffat Mamu, ‘Retired judge to head Commission of Inquiry’, Solomon Star, 1 Jul. 2006; Arthur Wate, ‘Prime Minister's address to the nation’, Solomon Star, 22 Aug. 2006; Moffat Mamu, ‘Fono scorns PM’s action’, Solomon Star, 25 Aug. 2006; David Nason, ‘Uni can’t find any record of Einfeld’, The Australian, 28 Aug. 2006; Chris Merritt, ‘Einfeld grants in spotlight’, The Australian, 29 Aug. 2006; Kevin Andrusiak and Chris Merritt, ‘Fear for Einfeld as new resume flaws revealed’, The Australian, 31 Aug. 2006; Chris Merritt and Kevin Andrusiak, ‘Two more groups deny that Einfeld holds posts’, The Australian, 13 Sept. 2006. 44 Moffat Mamu, ‘Terms of Reference of the Commission of Inquiry’, Solomon Star, 14 Jul. 2006; Letter from Attorney General to Prime Minister, Solomon Star, 17 Aug. 2006; Arthur Wate, ‘Terms of reference may interfere with trails: Suri’, Solomon Star, 18 Jul. 2006; Arthur Wate, ‘PM defends riot inquiry’, Solomon Star, 19 Jul. 2006; Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, ‘Address to the nation’, Solomon Star, 22 Aug. 2006; Moffat Mamu, ‘Fono scorns PM’s action’, Solomon Star, 25 Aug. 2006. 45 Refer to Clive Moore, ‘No more walkabout long Chinatown: Asian involvement in the Solomon Islands economic and political processes’, paper presented at the workshop ‘Solomon Islands: Where to Now?’, State Society and Governance in Melanesia Project and The Pacific Centre, Australian National University, 5 May 2006. To be published in Sinclair Dinnen and Stewart Firth (eds), Politics and Unrest in Solomon Islands (Canberra 2007). Moore's is the most extensive analysis of the riots of 18–19 April. He concluded that the Police Commissioner was unprepared to handle the situation and that the RAMSI Police performed poorly. The Australian Government reaction to the Commission seems to indicate that they fear this possible conclusion. 46 Arthur Wate, ‘Australia slams its door on MPs’, Solomon Star, 14 Sept. 2006; Patrick Walters, ‘Maverick runs low on tricks’. 47 ABC TV Lateline, 12 Sept. 2006. 48 Dr George Manimu, Letter to the Editor, Solomon Star, 12 Apr. 2006. 49 Arthur Wate, ‘Mystery lawyer advises Sogavare’ and ‘AG post’, Solomon Star, 17 Aug. 2006; Ofani Eremae, ‘Is Moti the right choice?’, Solomon Star, 25 Aug. 2006; Sir Peter Kenilorea to Editor, Solomon Star, 31 Aug. 2006; Julian Moti to Editor, Solomon Star, 1 Sept. 2006. 50 ‘Playing patience in the Solomons: Australia must keep its cool’, Editorial, Sydney Morning Herald, 14 Sept. 2006; Craig Skehan, ‘Expulsion just part of the many rows bubbling along’, The Age, 14 Sept. 2006; Greg Sheridan, ‘Bizarre insult that changes exactly nothing’, The Australian, 14 Sept. 2006; Patrick Walters, ‘Maverick runs low on tricks’, The Australian, 1 Sept. 2006; ‘Something rotten in Solomons paradise: Honiara's corruption is hurting its island citizens’, Editorial, The Australian, 19 Sept. 2006. 51 See also Ian Scales, ‘The coup nobody noticed: the Solomon Islands Western State Movement in 2000’ in this issue. 52 See also Morgan Wairiu, ‘History of the forestry industry in Solomon Islands: the case of Guadalcanal’ in this issue. 53 Moore, Happy Isles in Crisis, 163–4. 54 Ambassador Antonia C.S. Chen, ‘ROC (Taiwan) is Solomon Islands’ most reliable partner’, Press Release, Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Honiara, 3 May 2006. 55 Arthur Wate, ‘Hilly denies report on Mainland China’, Solomon Star, 13 Jul. 2006. 56 Moffat Mamu, ‘Hilly sacked over plan to expel over-stayers it was revealed’, Solomon Star, 2 Sept. 2006. 57 Arthur Wate, ‘Amendment to land law drafted’, Solomon Star, 9 Aug. 2006.
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