Invited Occupiers

30 June 2003


Australia to Lead Solomon's Occupation Force

The current American foreign policy does a fine job of undermining hostile regimes, but it could do with some refining when it comes to stabilizing countries that are too internally screw-up to function. Fortunately, the US has allies like Australia to show it the way. The Aussies and a few other nations in the southwest Pacific have been invited in by the government of the Solomon Islands to help fix a situation the local government can't. Good on the Aussies. Mr. Bush should take notes.

The Solomon Islands could be a potential haven for drug running and terrorism because the government's writ doesn't run very far outside the capital of Honiara. Estimates are that 10% of the money due it reach the nation's treasury; the rest goes in bribes and misappropriations. Ethnic violence frosts this inedible cake.

And so, the Prime Minister of the Solomons, Mr. Allan Kemakeza, asked the Australians for help in April on a visit with Mr. Bush's friend and Australian PM John Howard. Mr. Howard's reply was positive, pending a request from the Solomons' parliament -- which is on its way. The 14 nation Pacific Island Forum will approve of the move, and Australia will lead the contingent contribute 1,500 or so troops. New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea will also be involved and should receive plaudits for their participation.

There will always be evil governments, because government is an evil, if necessary, thing. Sometimes force must be used to change regimes (e.g., Mr. Hitler). However, there are more failed governments in this world that evil ones, and the Bush administration has done little to prove it has a handle on this fact. Liberia is a fine example of American inaction and irresponsibility.

The reasoning is easy to follow: weak central governments create a power vacuum that other organizations try to fill; this requires money and firepower; that results in drug and gun running; those yield civil war, drug smuggling, money laundering, and terrorism. The White House appears to be worried about the tree and can't see the forest.