THE Solomon Islands Government has thanked the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) for restoring peace in Solomon Islands as the peace mission commemorates its 20th anniversary yesterday.
Speaking during a special thanksgiving service to commemorate RAMSI’s 20th anniversary, Minister for Police and Correctional Services Honourable Anthony Veke said the government and people of Solomon Islands thank the Government of Australia and all Pacific Island Countires who participated in the operation.
RAMSI arrived in Solomon Islands to bring peace and justice on the 24th July 2003 after five to six years of armed conflict in Solomon Islands.
“Thank for your dedication, faithfulness to that course and trust in the building and restoration of peace and justice in our nation,” Mr Veke said.
Mr Veke said it is only right that we give thanks to God our father our creator, our sustainer and our universal ruler for his guidance in bringing peace to our beloved nation.
“In our darkest hour God comforted and gave hope to those affected.
“In our darkest hour the Lord was there to give guidance to our leaders, and in our darkest hour the Lord made it possible for RAMSI to arrive and bring peace and hope to our nation Solomon Islands,” he said.
He added that the thanksgiving service yesterday was organised to thank RAMSI for the hard work it has done for Solomon Islands.
Australia Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw was also among guests at yesterday’s thanksgiving service.
“It is an honour to be here at St. Barnabas Cathedral on this occasion of thanksgiving to mark the 20th Anniversary since the establishment of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI),” Commissioner Kershaw said.
He said our Pacific family shared the Christian values of peace, goodness and faithfulness together.
“Our law enforcement family believes in democratic values and shares purposes to uphold the rule of law.
“We are part of the Pacific family.
“The community are part of the police and the community are part of the police.
“Together we lay the foundation of security and prosperity and that’s what RAMSI was all about,” he said.
RAMSI’s operation then was called “Helpim Fren”.
RAMSI was led by Australia and New Zealand with other nations in the Pacific and came with one mission to restore peace.
By LACHLAN EDDIE HOE
Solomon Star, Honiara
