HONIARA (SIBC/PINA) — There is no evidence of a “structured threat” to New Zealanders in Solomon Islands and Honiara is probably safer than Port Moresby, a New Zealand government report said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs report, released under the Official Information Act, was undertaken after the death of New Zealand diplomat Bridget Nichols.
The report added that the Solomon Islands situation is one of:
• a general breakdown in law and order;
• erosion of policing standards and credibility;
• and a tendency for criminals to opt for their perception of soft targets.
It said that while environment was “unpredictable,” it was probably safer than Port Moresby, the Papua New Guinea capital.
New Zealand’s deputy high commissioner was found dead inside New Zealand’s High Commission residential compound in the Solomons capital, Honiara, on March 17.
It came amid continuing law and order problems despite a peace agreement ending two years of ethnic conflict.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs report said it found three areas of concern needing “serious attention” at the New Zealand High Commission.
The report said that they are inadequate response capability to problems; inability of staff to communicate with one another at all times; and lack of medical help in an emergency.
