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This Public
Announcement is being issued to update information on safety and
security in the Solomon Islands in light of continuing threats
against members of the government and occurrences of lawless
behavior in the capital region of Honiara and in Malaita
Province. This replaces the December 20, 2002, Public
Announcement and expires September 14, 2003.
The arrival of a
new Police Commissioner in late January 2003 has brought some
improvements in the security situation in Honiara. However, the
status of the three-year old political, economic, and security
crisis in the Solomon Islands remains largely unchanged. In
February 2003, a member of the National Peace Council and former
Police Commissioner was assassinated in Auki, Malaita Province.
The majority of
lawless incidents are caused by police and militia bands seeking
monetary compensation for their participation in police
operations. Because the government has occasionally met these
demands, we expect the incidents to continue.
Americans
planning to visit the Solomon Islands should contact the U.S.
Consular Agent in Honiara or the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea, for updates on the security situation.
All Americans in
the Solomon Islands should register with the U.S. Consular agent
in Honiara, as there is no U.S. Embassy in the Solomon Islands.
However, American citizens in the Solomon Islands with
emergencies or needing updated security information may contact
the U.S. Consular Agent, c/o BJS Agencies on Mendana Avenue in
Honiara, telephone (677) 27429, fax (677) 23426. Alternatively,
contact the U. S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea,
telephone (675) 321-1455, fax (675) 321-1593, e-mail
consularportmoresby@state.gov. |
