Results for RAMSI

Three Tongan police officers left Tonga for Canberra this week to undergo training before their one-year deployment to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands in November.

The Tonga Police 11th Contingent of five Senior Police Constables deployed to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) returned home on 4 December, after completing a one-year mission that included protecting the Solomon Islands Prime Minister and assisting local police.

Tonga's 10th military contingent has deployed to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands RAMSI, leaving Tonga on Friday, February 25.

The Commander of RAMSI's Participating Police Force, Denis McDermott and the mission's most senior Pacific Island representative, assistant Special Coordinator, Mataiasi Lomaloma today travelled to Malaita with the Solomon Islands Police Commissioner, Peter Marshall to attend the funeral of the late Hilda Ilabae.

RAMSI Assistant Special Coordinator, Mataiasi Lomaloma has held talks with chiefs, leaders and the community in Manakwai Village, North Malaita, after Tongan soldiers were alleged to have assaulted youths from Manakwai.

An independent nationwide survey of Solomon Islanders' opinions has revealed strong support for RAMSI's continued presence in the country.

In spite of the recent diplomatic turmoil between the Solomon Islands and Australia, which may result in an early termination of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), Tonga stands in full support of continuing the mission. By Linny Folau

The Tongan Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence, HRH Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata was interviewed by Linny Folau in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on 24 July 2004, while he was attending the first anniversary of RAMSI, the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomons. Linny, a staffer for the Matangi Tonga Online, was part of a Pacific group media visit to the Solomons and Australia, under an Australian Government program.