Pacific Islands - Polynesia and Melanesia.

[recce.k1]

Fascinating developments, some documents leaked to the ABC by Solomon Island officials (called the "Public Servants for Transparency") alleges the "Chinese Embassy in Honiara made a bid to bring in a ten man security team, along with a sniper rifle, two machine guns and dozens of pistols" for protection of the Chinese Embassy and its diplomats after last years riots.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1513755145548419075

ABC article:

Leaked docs reveal Chinese failed bid to import weapons after Honiara riots

The Chinese embassy in Solomon Islands made a failed bid to import a sniper rifle, two machine guns and dozens of pistols and rifles into Honiara last year after violent riots roiled the city, leaked documents reveal.

www.abc.net.au

One can understand concerns to protect diplomatic staff from potential acts of violence, but some of the armaments (machine guns and sniper rifle) seem incredibly excessive .... imagine if they were used and locals were killed - it would have escalated tensions possibly to the extent that disgruntled locals could take their own measures to "avenge" any such actions, with violence increasingly spiraling out of control.

However this seems to be the basis of the new CCP security arrangement that PM Sogavare is keen to sign and enact ....

 

[ngatimozart]

Fascinating developments, some documents leaked to the ABC by Solomon Island officials (called the "Public Servants for Transparency") alleges the "Chinese Embassy in Honiara made a bid to bring in a ten man security team, along with a sniper rifle, two machine guns and dozens of pistols" for protection of the Chinese Embassy and its diplomats after last years riots.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1513755145548419075

ABC article:

Leaked docs reveal Chinese failed bid to import weapons after Honiara riots

The Chinese embassy in Solomon Islands made a failed bid to import a sniper rifle, two machine guns and dozens of pistols and rifles into Honiara last year after violent riots roiled the city, leaked documents reveal.

www.abc.net.au

One can understand concerns to protect diplomatic staff from potential acts of violence, but some of the armaments (machine guns and sniper rifle) seem incredibly excessive .... imagine if they were used and locals were killed - it would have escalated tensions possibly to the extent that disgruntled locals could take their own measures to "avenge" any such actions, with violence increasingly spiraling out of control.

However this seems to be the basis of the new CCP security arrangement that PM Sogavare is keen to sign and enact ....

If the CCP really wanted to they could import the weapons in the diplomatic bag and there's nothing that the Solomon Islands government can do about it.

 

[buffy9]

Fascinating developments, some documents leaked to the ABC by Solomon Island officials (called the "Public Servants for Transparency") alleges the "Chinese Embassy in Honiara made a bid to bring in a ten man security team, along with a sniper rifle, two machine guns and dozens of pistols" for protection of the Chinese Embassy and its diplomats after last years riots.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1513755145548419075

ABC article:

Leaked docs reveal Chinese failed bid to import weapons after Honiara riots

The Chinese embassy in Solomon Islands made a failed bid to import a sniper rifle, two machine guns and dozens of pistols and rifles into Honiara last year after violent riots roiled the city, leaked documents reveal.

www.abc.net.au

One can understand concerns to protect diplomatic staff from potential acts of violence, but some of the armaments (machine guns and sniper rifle) seem incredibly excessive .... imagine if they were used and locals were killed - it would have escalated tensions possibly to the extent that disgruntled locals could take their own measures to "avenge" any such actions, with violence increasingly spiraling out of control.

However this seems to be the basis of the new CCP security arrangement that PM Sogavare is keen to sign and enact ....

If the CCP really wanted to they could import the weapons in the diplomatic bag and there's nothing that the Solomon Islands government can do about it.

Tbh I wouldn't find the request enormously troubling, it seems like a fairly standard (if still excessive for the AO) security detail. Ten rifles and ten pistols for the whole detail, with a sniper rifle for possible overwatch and machine guns for contingencies, seems matched to fit a security situation that could rapidly devolve - or one which may have been blown out of proportion by embassy staff.

They may have been able to import the weapons, though there isn't much they can do with them outside the embassy without SI approval.

This is with the assumption that the deployment was only temporary and actually lasted six to twelve months. A permanent security team in the country would indeed set a precedent and seems excessive for a country relatively free of weapons nowadays.

 

[KiwiRob]

China is a permanent member with veto power. They together with the other 4 members is one reason the organization is next to useless. A bigger problem is the dozens of dysfunctional members in the general assembly.

China along with France have been quite sparing with there use of the Veto,the 5 permanent members should be removed, they operate in there own best interests and not in the best interests of everyone else.

 

[John Fedup]

China along with France have been quite sparing with there use of the Veto,the 5 permanent members should be removed, they operate in there own best interests and not in the best interests of everyone else.

Considering the makeup of the general assembly which provides rotating membership for 10 (I think) seats on the security council, there is zero chance for veto powers being removed. Why would any of the Five expose themselves to the huge pool of dysfunctional member states in the General Assembly?

 

[KiwiRob]

Considering the makeup of the general assembly which provides rotating membership for 10 (I think) seats on the security council, there is zero chance for veto powers being removed. Why would any of the Five expose themselves to the huge pool of dysfunctional member states in the General Assembly?

Simple the veto power makes the UN worthless, the UN should act on a majority vote, and not base it actions on the whims of 5 countries.

 

[Hone C]

Simple the veto power makes the UN worthless, the UN should act on a majority vote, and not base it actions on the whims of 5 countries.

The veto is what keeps the major powers engaged in the system. Yes, it gives them an effective exemption from any collective security measures, but the UNSC was designed to avoid wars between the major powers, not act on majority vote.

Without the veto you'd likely get a situation like the league of nations, with some major powers opting out of membership.

 

[KiwiRob]

The veto is what keeps the major powers engaged in the system. Yes, it gives them an effective exemption from any collective security measures, but the UNSC was designed to avoid wars between the major powers, not act on majority vote.

Without the veto you'd likely get a situation like the league of nations, with some major powers opting out of membership.

The UK and France are no longer major powers, I’d throw out one of them and replace with India. It’s too much of a western aligned club.

 

[ngatimozart]

The UK and France are no longer major powers, I’d throw out one of them and replace with India. It’s too much of a western aligned club.

The UK and France are major nuclear powers. If anything India should be added as a permanent member. BTW France is now the predominant military power in Europe since the Poms did Brexit. It can also be argued that it may be the predominant power in Europe full stop, because of Germany's energy and agricultural policies that have now placed it in jeopardy since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Germany is dismantling its nuclear power generation capability and its making it difficult for agriculture, but now we have the largest grain growers in Europe and the world at war with each other and there's going to be a basic shortage of grains and other foods. France has easier agriculture regulation and is building more nuclear power stations as well as solar, but Germany is stuck at the moment and will be for the medium term.

Back on topic please.

 

[alexsa]

The right of an embassy to have armed protection for the embassy only extends to the embassy grounds otherwise this would require agreement from the host nation. The proposed security agreement appears to provide that.

Moving weapons via the diplomatic bag is not actually permitted in most cases noting the contents of the Vienna convention. The Australian position is consistent with that convention. I suspect SI were the same"

5. Privileges and immunities | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Any use of a diplomatic bag or courier to import or export items in contravention of Australia's laws, including firearms or narcotic drugs, will be treated with the utmost seriousness.

The fact that China were smuggling in training weapons and seeking approval for a range of weapons outside this is quite worrying.

 

[Rock the kasbah]

The veto is what keeps the major powers engaged in the system. Yes, it gives them an effective exemption from any collective security measures, but the UNSC was designed to avoid wars between the major powers, not act on majority vote.

Without the veto you'd likely get a situation like the league of nations, with some major powers opting out of membership.

Dunno about that
You might want to check with the Forum Secretariat
Thinking they may let you know who's important and where the bloody hell do you come from again.
There is a reason that Australia and New Zealand have played a soft card.
It's their countries remember we are just trying our best to help.
Softly and tenderly the future is waiting

 

[John Fedup]

Simple the veto power makes the UN worthless, the UN should act on a majority vote, and not base it actions on the whims of 5 countries.

Last OT comment. Really, a UN majority vote? I wonder how much money is required to buy the Solomon Island vote. Lots of others China could bribe. Of course this option applies to other major powers. The UN general assembly is like the Russian parliament, money talks.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

We already saw this will happen some months ago, but now its official, china succeeds in expanding its influence in the South-Pacific area.

|"According to the draft, armed Chinese police could be deployed at the Solomon Islands' request to maintain "social order"."|

This is the coolest part, because this will give china the opportunity the send troops to suppress any opposition at the Solomon Islands.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1516348380871540736

China says it has signed security pact with Solomon Islands

China said Tuesday it has sealed a wide-ranging security pact with the Solomon Islands, an agreement the United States and its regional allies fear could give Beijing a military foothold in the South…

www.rfi.fr

 

[Gooey]

Yes, absolutely. Australian and NZ media have picked this up this morning too:

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

The fact that China now has a formal agreement to be able to aid the Solomons with 'security' is the worst-case COA that the NZ MoD Defence Assessment of Dec 2021.
In the case of Australia, this has resulted in a cross-political-party narrative around national security, the best level of defence spending, and operational capability.
In the case of NZ, this has resulted in no cross-party narrative on national security, a tiny mention by one party about the level of expenditure, and an official review of existing capability sometime in the next few years. Apologies, there have been official communications by NZ Foreign Affairs saying this is unacceptable and a reasonable amount of public interest.
Considering that this is happening in the South Pacific and that NZ fashions itself as being able to take an independent foreign policy, as well as being a Pacific Nation, it is very interesting to observe the contrast between these two formal Allies.

 

[Hone C]

Considering that this is happening in the South Pacific and that NZ fashions itself as being able to take an independent foreign policy, as well as being a Pacific Nation, it is very interesting to observe the contrast between these two formal Allies.

New Zealand is a small island nation completely dependent upon lines of communication over which it has no control. NZ doesn't have the size, strength or resilience to have a meaningfully independent foreign policy, but likes to pretend it does when Kiwi politicians feel the need to engage in some virtue signalling or avoid their responsibilities.

The Pacific nation angle is always useful for some self congratulatory back patting, but the cultural awareness that is made so much of hasn't stopped NZ being surprised and outmanoeuvred in the Pacific region.

It is good that Australia is taking the situation seriously. I hope NZ also sees it as a wake up call but unfortunately the NZG is likely to keep its head buried in the sand.

The real losers are the people of the Solomon Islands, who can now look forward to the prospect of some robust policing, CCP style.

 

[Rock the kasbah]

U.S. officials heading to Solomon Islands over China pact worries

A security agreement has raised concerns Beijing could establish a military presence in the South Pacific island nation.

www.nbcnews.com

In the above article China's foreign ministry spokesman said the agreement covers " maintaining social order ".
The following link gives a breakdown on what that can imply. Not good me thinks

Maintaining social order | Global Strategies & Solutions | The Encyclopedia of World Problems

encyclopedia.uia.org

 

[Rock the kasbah]

A little bit O/T but it does show that even the little people end up involved in the so called "grown ups" problems

'We don't do Russians': Superyacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch arrives in Fiji

www.9news.com.au

 

[Redlands18]

A little bit O/T but it does show that even the little people end up involved in the so called "grown ups" problems

'We don't do Russians': Superyacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch arrives in Fiji

www.9news.com.au

The CH9 Staff who wrote that article needs to get there facts right though.
Its not a "war of choice"
Its a "special military operation of choice"
There is a difference, nobody can work out what it is but there is a difference

 

[Rob c]

The CH9 Staff who wrote that article needs to get there facts right though.
Its not a "war of choice"
Its a "special military operation of choice"
There is a difference, nobody can work out what it is but there is a difference

Yep, the difference is that the Ukrainians arn't bombing or shelling the crap out of Russian cities.

 

[Rock the kasbah]

Takao
I see your online
What's your thoughts wrt a Solomon islands red line
Guadalcanal??