Sex scandal taints Solomons mission

Sex allegations have rocked the Australian and New Zealand-led mission to the Solomon Islands.

Several members of the intervention force have been the subject of investigations into accusations of sexually inappropriate behaviour towards local women and children.

One Australian federal policeman has been charged with sexual offences and is now before the courts in Australia.

A member of the Australian Defence Force has also been investigated for alleged indecent conduct. A spokesman for the Australian Government said last night that although it was found that there was no case to answer, the man was sent home.

Another Australian Defence Force member was sent home for making a false complaint of assault.

It is understood accusations have also been levelled against other members of the force, but the spokesman could not confirm that.

None of the accused are from New Zealand, which has contributed more than 300 personnel to the military, police and civilian force sent to the Solomons in July 2003.

Details of the scandal were kept quiet on both sides of the Tasman until the Weekend Herald began making inquiries this week.

The allegations will be a blow to the mission, widely touted as having successfully helped the fragile Pacific nation get back on its feet after deteriorating into a state of lawlessness.

Contingents from Australia, New Zealand and nine Pacific Island countries have made up the force known as the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

Sources said that one man had been implicated for paedophilia offences, and another was being questioned for a possible rape. Other personnel had been sent home for allegedly "fraternising" with local women.

Australian authorities are understood to have been embarrassed by the incidents, and fearful about how they would affect the mission.

Federal agencies passed around responsibility for answering questions.

Australian defence officials eventually said questions were being handled "at the highest levels" by the strategic operations centre, later adding the response would be a "whole-of-government" one from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

A department spokesman initially said the Government would not respond, but eventually replied to some questions late last night.

"But the other point we would make is that there have been more than 3000 RAMSI personnel from 11 countries and this is obviously a very small number of incidents," said the spokesman.

The Solomons mission has been a key success story in Australia's new pro-active role in the Pacific, and was celebrated during July's Australia-New Zealand Foreign Ministers' Meeting between Alexander Downer and Phil Goff.

The ministers are due to meet again this weekend, on Waiheke Island.

Rebuilding a nation

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands began in July 2003 to help restore order and stability to the lawless Pacific nation.

It included a contingent of more than 3000 military police and civilian personnel.

More than 300 of those were from the ranks of the New Zealand police and Defence Force.

The mission has led to the arrest of more than 4600 people, including key leaders such as warlord Harold Keke.