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Conan, Eric. 2000. “Les Désaccords de endearingly dubbed) would go an Noumea.” L’Express, 25 May. extra mile to help another wantok. Gorodey, Déwé. 2000. Interviewed in Solo had long fiercely defended Solo- Noumea, 22 June. mon Islands’ sovereignty and the right of Solomon Islanders to “do their own Kanak. Periodical of the Parti de Libéra- thing.” If they learned from their mis- tion Kanak (Palika). takes, they should not fear making Moleana, Atélémo. 2000. Interviewed in them. His experience during British Noumea, 16 June. colonialism taught him an important NC, Les Nouvelles-Calédoniennes. lesson—it was far better for Solomon Noumea. Daily. Islanders to carve their own futures

NH, Les Nouvelles-Hebdo. Noumea. and destiny than be subject to igno- Weekly. minious racism, vacuous high-minded- ness, and mindless arrogance, which Pabouty, Sylvain. 2000. Interviewed in Solomon Islanders detested. Mama- Noumea, 17 June. loni has left a leadership lacuna that p i r, Pacific Islands Report. will be difficult to fill for a long time, http://pidp.ewc.hawaii.edu/PIReport/ as events that unfolded in subsequent Sako, Aloisio. 2000. Interviewed in months have attested. Noumea, 23 June. The 1999 census revealed that Wapotro, Billy. 2000. Interviewed in the population of the country had Noumea, 15 June. increased by 43 percent overall, from 285,176 in 1986 to 409,042. The Washetine, Charles. 2000. Interviewed in growth rate declined markedly from Noumea, 15 June. 3.5 percent per year to 2.8 percent per year. Some 41.5 percent of the popu- lation is aged under fifteen years. But Solomon Islands the census showed that only 23 per- Solomon Islanders have not experi- cent of the population (57,472) were enced a worse start to a year in paying taxes. Conversely, 45 percent decades. In January 2000, Solomon (111, 905) were involved in unpaid Sunaone Mamaloni, one of the coun- labor (SS, 8 Sept 2000, 3). try’s veteran politicians and its first The sporadic ethnic fighting that leader, passed away. Sir Peter Kenilo- began in late 1998 between the rea’s approbation of his friend and Malaita Eagle Force (m e f) and the schoolmate as “the father of modern Isatabu Freedom Movement (ifm) politics in Solomon Islands” could not continued. However, it was limited have been more apt (SS, 18 Jan 2000, mostly to areas around and peripheral 5). In politics, Mamaloni was an all- to Honiara. In February, the Malaita rounder. He was a real “man of the Eagle Force claimed responsibility for people.” He would fit most Solomon several killings at Pelaha and Lunga Islanders’ honor list. When in need, areas (SS, 23 Feb 2000, 1). These Solomon Islanders, especially ordinary intermittent insurgencies and killings villagers, found him most accessible, merely escalated animosity between even when he was prime minister. the two groups. In early July, the And without fail, Solo (as he was Malaita Eagle Force mounted opera- 552 the contemporary pacific • fall 2001 tion “Eagle Storm.” A bulldozer was It was clear from the start that the converted into a “tank,” which helped foreigners were not the target. It was them mount raids. The Malaita Eagle a row between Solomon Islanders. Force was able to gain greater control On 30 June an election was held of the area from Alligator Creek to to choose a new prime minister. Solomon Island Plantations Limited Three candidates, Manasseh Sogavare, (s i p l; SS, 4 July 2000, 1). Bishop Leslie Boseto, and former On 5 June a “civil takeover” of the prime minister Billy Hilly stood. The government of the Solomon Islands first two were from Choiseul, and Alliance for Change occurred. Prime Billy Hilly from Western Province. He Minister Bartholomew Ulufa‘alu was later decided to withdraw. In a close put under house arrest and asked to election, Manasseh Sogavare emerged “voluntarily” resign within forty-eight as the new prime minister, with 23 hours by the newly formed Joint Mili- votes to Bishop Boseto’s 21 (SS, 30 tary Operation (jm o), which com- June 2000, 8–9). prised the Malaita Eagle Force and From the start, Sogavare was clear. members of the Paramilitary Force His new government would concen- (SS, 4 July 2000, 6). The main reason trate on “regaining peace.” It would given for the takeover was Ulufa‘alu’s strive for a cease-fire, followed by the delay in seriously and urgently signing of a peace agreement, surren- addressing the ethnic uprising. The der of arms, and then the return of Joint Military Operation claimed he police to their normal duties of main- seemed to have done very little to taining law and order. Compensation stop the conflict. Meanwhile the Isa- demands would be addressed, not tabu Freedom Movement continued from legalistic concerns, but by using to harass or kill innocent people and Melanesian perspectives of “conflict brew mayhem around the capital. resolution” (SS, 11 July 2000, 3). The Joint Military Operation The Isatabu Freedom Movement seized the Rove police armories and lost no time in contesting the legiti- weapons on patrol boats and con- macy and legality of the election, trolled the country’s telecommunica- which they alleged was undemocratic tion facilities. It also called for the because it was carried out under removal of the police commissioner duress. The Isatabu Freedom Move- who, like the prime minister, seemed ment had learned that, because of fear not to have done much to abate the for their security, six members of the conflict (P I M, June 2000, 12). former prime minister’s team were The expulsion of the prime minis- unable to attend and vote. To accept ter instilled fear in the capital. Later the result of such an election would in the month there was a mass be a mockery of democratic principles “release” of prisoners from Rove and processes. The Isatabu Freedom prison. Soon foreign nationals began Movement decided to refuse any deal- leaving the country. Australians, New ings with the new government (SS, 5 Zealanders, and Canadians were July 2000, 4). evacuated by h m as Tobruk (SS, 4 July So g a v a r e ret o rt e d th a t th e go v e rn o r - 2000, 6). Many Solomon Islanders general had given members of parlia- found this confusing, if not amusing. ment plenty of time to attend. The political reviews • m ela n e s i a 553 election itself was carried out in a lost it to arson. Andrew Nori’s Bridge proper democratic manner without Law Firm was housed there. The per- intimidation. “I was democratically petrator sought protection in police elected,” Sogavare declared (SS, 5 July custody, but members of the Malaita 2000, 4). But the election for a new Eagle Force forced their way in and prime minister was held after the ille- shot him. gal ouster of Bartholomew Ulufa‘alu, Due to damage, the reopening of a fact that should not be easily erased the Gold Ridge mine was delayed. from the “national memory.” Resource owners have decided to As time goes on, crime increases, revise the mining agreement, claiming affecting the country in many ways, that they were not adequately com- particularly national investments. A pensated under the previous agree- vessel of Solomon Taiyo, the biggest ment. As the member of parliament fishing company in the country, was responsible for that area explained, raided. Three armed men boarded a the returns to his people were severely pole-line fishing boat in Maravovo underestimated. There were more Lagoon and forced the captain to take gold reserves than had been projected them to Honiara (SS, 1 Aug 2000, 1). (SS, 24 Nov 2000, 5). Resource own- Solomon Taiyo decided to suspend ers also claimed that compensation operations in August. It was further ought to be paid for the tailing-dam alleged that lives, safety, and the secu- area, timber trees, taboo sites, and rity of its employees and property had loss of income from alluvial mining. been threatened by militants (SS, 23 Furthermore, former i f m members Jan 2001, 1). The government would demanded s i$120,000 from the mine just have to take control of the opera- for providing security during the eth- tion. nic crisis. As Patteson Tara explained, In early July a more heinous human “without our presence, Gold Ridge atrocity was perpetrated on the weak- Mining Ltd could have lost everything est in society. Gunmen walked into because some have decided to burn the national referral hospital and shot down the whole site” (SS, 30 Nov dead two patients who were members 2000, 6). of the Isatabu Freedom Movement Although other provinces expres s e d (SS, 11 July 2000, 1). The killings were interest in becoming independent in retaliation for other murders. states, the Malaita premier committed Later in August, a group of men the province to remaining part of a in camouflage uniform forced their united Solomon Islands. During a way into Honiara Casino and stole Malaita Leaders Conference, he called s i$100,000 (SS, 29 Aug 2000, 1). The on Malaita people to be more self- mid-afternoon incident highlighted reliant. He called on other provinces the immediate and critical need for to understand the position of his peo- law and order in the capital. On 5 ple, adding that “if we have done you Oc t o b e r, a prominent furni t u r e factory wrong forgive us, and we will do our was burnt. The owner, one of the few best to bring peace once again in Solo- successful Solomon Islands business- mo n Islands” (SS, 17 Aug 2000, 1). me n , lost millions. La t e r in No v e m b e r, As the conflict dragged on, a num- the owner of the Placemaker Building ber of provinces saw an opportunity 554 the contemporary pacific • fall 2001 to declare statehood. Choiseul and were asked to abstain from one or Western Provinces declared their two meals each day and devote their statehood, signaling disapproval of time to prayer (SS, 15 Aug 2000, 5). the provincial system of government. The National Peace Conference They wanted a system that devolves called on all parties to assist in the more functions to the provinces, and restoration of peace and normalcy to state government was their choice (SS, the country, for the unity of Solomon 6 July 2000, 7). Makira Province also Islands as one country, and for the indicated its preference for state upholding of democratic principles. autonomy. Even Temotu Province in Communities, women, nongovern- the Eastern Solomons had an interest ment organizations, and churches in state government. Despite this were urged to be proactive partici- enthusiasm, there were disagreements. pants in peace activities (SS, 29 Aug Some said that the size and popula- 2000, 1). tion of some provinces would make it The Solomon Islands Christian politically and economically unwise Association continued to be concerne d for them to separate (SS, 17 Aug 20 0 0 , with the increasing break-ins in the 4). Some suggested that public educa- capital. The property of non-Melane- tion was needed so that people would sian ethnic groups was targeted dur- well understand the decision they ing the social unrest. The Peace Office would be making (SS, 24 Aug 2000, also reiterated the need to restore law 5). Others mentioned that state gov- and order: “restoring the rule of law ernment alone would be inadequate. is an immediate priority in the peace Solomon Islanders need to address process” (SS, 31 Aug 2000, 1). issues such as land tenure, migration Mention must be made of the and mobility, and the need to main- extraordinary patience, bravery, and tain unity and build a sense of nation- selflessness displayed by Solomon alism through education (SS, 30 Aug Islands women in brokering peace, 2000, 6). Finally, one mature writer long before their menfolk embraced summarized most people’s aspirations: it. The women slowly brought the two to achieve the “ultimate goal of living warring sides to “see” their common together in harmony” (SS, 8 Sep 2000, humanity. The women started with 5). food, the basic but most fundamental The peace process was ongoing, co m m o n a l i t y . Br ushing aside fear, ve r y even at the height of the crisis. The early on 1 August thirty-eight Guadal- government and the churches have canal women walked to an m e f been deeply involved. As part of its bunker waving a white flag. To their ongoing contribution toward peace, surprise, m e f members not only met the Solomon Islands Christian Associ- them but escorted them to town to do ation organized occasional church their shopping (SS, 2 Aug 2000, 3). In services “for all religions to come a big way, that began the process of together to pray for peace.” Some peacemaking. churches also declared twenty-one Even before the Townsville Peace days of national humiliation, prayer, Agreement was signed, optimism and and fasting. During that time, all hopes were high. Included on the mature Christians in all churches te a m s rep re s e n t i n g th e wa r ring grou p s , political reviews • m ela n e s i a 555 especially the Isatabu Freedom Move- less than a week were hugging each ment, were people the former govern- other, crying with tears of joy, hand- ment should have engaged right from shaking, . . . celebrating peace the beginning. The Malaita Eagle together.” The Isatabu Freedom Force had their leading attorney, Movement and the Malaita Eagle Andrew Nori, as their spokesman. Force combined in a celebration that This time, the Isatabu Freedom Move- extended along the Honiara road ment engaged their dynamic academic, from White River to Gold Ridge, the Tarcisius Tara, as their spokesman. It Central Development Corporation, was obvious that these were two peo- and the Balasuna area, and lasted for ple who were not only well respected three days. It laid the ground for for- but among the most well-educated giveness, genuine respect, and mutual and experienced Solomon Islanders. trust for members of both sides (SS, 3 Unlike previous peace agreements, this Nov 2000, 4). time hopes were high for a lasting On 18 December 2000 the national peace. And lasting it was. parliament passed a bill granting The thirty-page agreement, among amnesty to former militants. Mem- other things, narrated the roots of the bers of both the Malaita Eagle Force ethnic tension and how it spread, the and the Isatabu Freedom Movement, failures of past peace accords, and the the Joint Military Force and advisers attempts of governments in search of are all covered. But the granting of lasting solutions. There is provision amnesty was subject to conditions: for the granting of amnesty condi- first, all weapons and ammunition tional to the surrender of arms and and stolen property in the custody of ammunition and demilitarization on militant groups must be surrendered Guadalcanal and in other provinces and returned to the International (SS, 18 Oct 2000, 6). On arriving Peace Monitoring Team within the home, Andrew Nori declared that the period specified in the peace agree- “war” on Guadalcanal was over. “As ment; second, criminal acts commit- far as the m ef–Joint Operation is ted during the conflict were qualified concerned, the war on Guadalcanal under clause 3 of the bill. However, is over. I have said this in a telephone the minister of police, who introduced interview in Australia and I repeat it the bill, was cautious: “We have gone again here. Everyone in the Solomon through the most trying times in our Islands should be happy about this nation’s existence. It is not for me to agreement. The i f m delegation to the judge whether what had happened is talks is also satisfied with the agree- right or wrong. I shall leave that to ment” (SS, 17 Oct 2000, 1). others, to history and to God. . . . “Peace has come, war has gone. What is important now is to learn Solomon Islands is heading on the from what happened and work hard ri g h t pa t h .” Th a t was the jo y ex p re s s e d together to ensure that this situation by General Secretary of the Develop- does not revisit the Solomon Islands ment Services Exchange Casper Fa‘a- in the future” (SS, 19 Dec 2000, 1). sala (SS, 20 Oct 2000, 3). Rintu Taloi- The statement received a backlash fai wrote, “no country in the world from Amnesty International head- had entered into fierce fighting and in quarters in London, among other 556 the contemporary pacific • fall 2001 international organizations, which Solomon Islands opened an embassy described the blanket immunity for office in Taipei to galvanize diplo- crimes and human rights abuses com- matic relations between the two mitted in two years of ethnic conflict countries. as “a black day for human rights. . . . Equally fortuitous, the Solomon Impunity for torture, rape and killing Islands received a s ta b e x allocation of civilians, including children, is an from the European Union to the tune outrage and contributes nothing to of $200 million. Commenting on the lasting peace or reconciliation.” occasion, a huge relief in terms of Compensation was a critical and development assistance, Minister for foremost issue for reconciliation in National Planning and Development the twenty-two-month conflict. To Michael Maena said, “We have been be sure, the formation of the Malaita waiting for this day somewhat impa- Eagle Force occurred after the former tiently and also eager to realize the Ulufa‘alu government did not respond beginning of a new chapter of rela- to claims for compensation by the tionship between EU and Solomon Malaita people affe c t e d. On the h m as Islands government. The transfer is Tobruk, a substantial compensation signed at no better time than now payment was made. Some s i$6 mil- when the government is desperate to lion was paid to Malaita Province and have assistance from its kind develop- another s i$3 million to Guadalcanal ment partners.” In December, the Province (SS, 10 July 2000, 2). Sogavare government sought $62.2 However, compensation claims million in its Supplementary Appro- appear to have been inflated and priation Bill 2000. Again, most of this complicated in terms of righting was to meet the costs of Townsville past wrongs on the one hand and commitments and the peace process the temptation to make a “fast buck” (SS, 14 Dec 2000, 6). given the “broad” goodwill of the After rebounding from a twenty- government in its desire to achieve two-month conflict that almost sunk lasting peace. the country’s polity and economy, the Toward the end of the year, it was Sogavare government received recog- obvious that government coffers were nition and support from outside and straining to keep up with multiple respect from inside for its tenacity payments of one form of compensa- and diligence. At the beginning of a tion or another. The government was new millennium, the nation of Solo- therefore forced to seek monetary mon Islands seems to have just assistance from anywhere possible. It begun—again. decided to ask the Republic of China john moffat fugui (Taiwan) for $300 million—$175 mil- lion in grant assistance and $129 mil- lion in the form of a loan. The main Re f e re n c e s reason for such a desperate move was P I M,Pacific Islands Monthly. Suva. the need to meet commitments under the Townsville Peace Agreement (SS, SS, Solomon Star. Weekly. Honiara. 30 Oct 2000, 3). In early November,