Regional approach to Solomons could be example, says Clark

11.45am - By ADAM RAY

LONDON - The regional approach being used to help the strife-torn Solomons Islands could become an example for dealing with international crises, Prime Minister Helen Clark said.

Speaking at the end of a London summit with centre-left leaders from around the world, the Prime Minister said the role of regional organisations in resolving crises such as that in Iraq had been a focus of discussions.

"I think what is happening in the Solomons could be a good example," she told NZPA.

The Government has indicated more than 200 troops and police officers could be sent to the Solomons, to assist Australian efforts to control armed gangs, after the Islands' leaders asked for foreign assistance.

The move has been backed by the 16-nation Pacific Forum. Helen Clark said the details of the NZ commitment would be finalised shortly.

The London progressive governance summit was attended by 14 leaders from around the world, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, and Miss Clark said they had also discussed ways of making regional organisations strong enough to deal with instability in their own areas.

South African President, Thabo Mbeki, had said Africa could become strong enough to deal with its own political problems, Helen Clark said.

The Prime Minister also said there had been no sign of New Zealand's standing in the international community being damaged by the Government's opposition to the war in Iraq.

Her criticism of the war in Iraq has been well reported in international media, but she said there was 'respect' for her views.

"Among the leaders who have come to this summit there were people on both sides of the debate."

Any differences over the war in Iraq did not 'cloud' relations between pro- and anti- war countries, she said.

New Zealand was unlikely to offer more assistance to Iraq above its present commitment, unless there was a "a change of mandate." The Prime Minister said she had held discussions with "just about everybody here" and had pushed the need for agricultural trade reforms.

"The thrust of the message is that the Doha trade round must succeed."

Failure of the latest round of talks, a ministerial conference in Mexico in September, could result in trading blocs being formed, she said.

The European Union's announcement on reforms of its Common Agricultural Policy was promising, and could encourage the US to consider changes to its farming policies, Helen Clark said. The Prime Minister, who has also announced details of a new war memorial in London and attended the premiere of Whale Rider since arriving in Britain last Tuesday, was due to return to New Zealand today.

- NZPA