Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's assertion that RAMSI was the primary enforcer of law and order in Solomon Islands comes as a surprise for the RAMSI Special Coordinator.
Mr. Tim George in a statement expressed his surprise to suggestions made by the Prime Minister in Parliament on Tuesday."The focus of RAMSI's Participating Police Force (PPF) has changed since RAMSI's arrival," Mr. George explained, adding that over the years, the PPF's efforts have concentrated on working in partnership to strengthen and rebuild the Solomon Islands Police Force.
He said good progress has been made in this area, "but the Government and RAMSI still have a lot more work to do to ensure ... Solomon Islands remains a peaceful nation".
He stressed that any information that RAMSI receives on the possible presence of firearms in the community is automatically shared with the Solomon Islands Police Force as part of this partnership.
"It is only by working together that we can hope to make Solomon Islands a safer place for everyone."