Australia's Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, today announced that Australia will provide financial support to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
At a joint press conference with Minister for National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation, Hon Sam Iduri MP, Mr Crean welcomed the Solomon Islands Government's commitment to reconciliation and its decision to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to take forward this process.RAMSI has brought security and stability to Solomon Islands and created an environment conducive to reconciliation. But, Mr Crean said, long-term social stability for Solomon Islands can be achieved only through the people of Solomon Islands taking ownership of the reconciliation process and addressing the root causes of the "tensions".
Solomon Islands' peace building efforts have the support of the international community, including many donors, such as Australia.
Australia will contribute SBD$2.5 million to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This builds on Australia's previous support to Solomon Islands' National Peace Council and complements RAMSI's peace-building work.
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