We're coming ready or not, say Solomons

Winston Peters and Alexander Downer at the media conference. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Foreign Minister Winston Peters and his Australian counterpart, Alexander Downer, are to make a joint visit to the Solomon Islands to meet its new Government - once it is elected.

The unusual move was announced yesterday by Mr Downer after bilateral talks in Wellington.

Such visits are normally by invitation rather than declaration, but Australia and New Zealand have developed a strong connection to the Solomons through investment in the Regional Assistance Mission (Ramsi).

The Solomons election is in April.

Mr Downer said it was important that the two ministers make a joint presentation "so we could present our joint views on the continued work of Ramsi and encourage the new Government to continue with the programme that has been under way for some time with the present Government".

He agreed with a suggestion that the move signalled a closer degree of co-operation in the Pacific between Australia and New Zealand.

Since 2003, the two Anzac nations have contributed most to the mission aimed at restoring law and order to what was a lawless and dangerous country.

From a peak of 1700 troops, there are now about 100 soldiers and 250 police from Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.

A subdued Mr Peters appeared happy for Mr Downer, Foreign Minister for 10 years, to dominate a press conference after their talks.

Mr Downer spoke about the devastating effect of Aids on Papua New Guinea, saying 60,000 people there were HIV positive.

He was outspoken about the possible interference of Fiji's military in the country's politics, to a much greater extent than Mr Peters during his recent visit there.

"If there was a decision to once more intervene in the democratic process militarily, if there was another coup in Fiji, it would have a devastating effect on Fiji," Mr Downer said.

Australia and New Zealand would be profoundly disturbed if it happened, and it would be devastating for Fiji's international relationships.

"If there is a coup, if democratic processes are undone in Fiji, yet again, as was the case in 2000 and in 1987 on two occasions, that would be an enormous setback to the tourist industry."

The military commander, Frank Bainimarama, was entitled to a personal view about politics.

"But he is the military commander and his job is to command the military force, not to run the politics of Fiji."

Neither Mr Peters nor Mr Downer had decided whom to send to a meeting in Fiji in April with the Premier of China, Wen Jiabao, or what the status of the meeting will be.

There is some uncertainty as to whether it will be hosted by China or be a Pacific Islands Forum meeting, which would allow the six island states that recognise Taiwan to attend.

Mr Downer cautiously defended the interest of China in the region, saying Australia had no objections to Beijing building up its relations.

"We are happy to see countries in the region have constructive relations with China, just as we do. It's not surprising that they want to develop their engagement with the region."

Responding to a question about the unusual arrangements of Government - Mr Peters is a minister outside of Government - Mr Downer said it was not a problem for him.

Referring to the publicity over him seeking an explanation last year of the arrangement from former Foreign Minister Phil Goff, Mr Downer said: "It's just that my department didn't give me a full briefing on how the arrangements work.

"They are civil servants, not politicians. I'm a politician. I'm very interested in the mechanics of politics and the dynamics of politics.

"It's not a problem for me at all. Perfectly happy with it. Enjoy working with Winston Peters, and he's a good bloke and some people in the media should get off his back."