HONIARA STABILIZED - SOLOMON ISLANDS STILL A MESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT MORESBY 000175

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR EAP/ANP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR CASC BP
SUBJECT: HONIARA STABILIZED - SOLOMON ISLANDS STILL A MESS

REF: A) CANBERRA 577 B) PORT MORESBY 170

CLASSIFIED BY: Robert Fitts, Ambassador, AMB, STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b)

1.(C) SUMMARY: Australian troops deployed in the early hours of
April 20, restoring order to Honiara. None of the American
community of 70 has elected to leave Honiara. With much of the
business infrastructure destroyed by the rioting, the city will
now face problems with food and other supplies. Solomon Islands'
modest modern sector was largely owned by the Chinese targeted
in the riots. It is unclear how many will stay and rebuild.
However, it is clear that, while almost three years of the
large-scale Australian-led intervention (RAMSI) had stabilized
the situation, Solomon society remains riven by fissures that
cannot yet be bridged by democratic institutions. END SUMMARY

2.(SBU) Some 180 Australian troops and police arrived in Honiara
April 19 (ref A). Resident Americans tell us that troops did not
deploy to the areas affected by rioting until the late hour and
general exhaustion had quieted the havoc. Thus, further violent
confrontation was averted. Order has been restored on Honiara's
burnt out streets and we understand that some Chinese residents
now feel safe enough to survey the damage. A dusk to dawn curfew
is in effect in Honiara. There have been no reports of any
violence outside the city or elsewhere in Solomon Islands.

3.(SBU) The damage in Honiara is extensive, according to
long-term observers exceeding anything in the 1998-2003 ethnic
strife that led to the RAMSI intervention. With most stores
looted and burned, authorities are now concerned that there
could be shortages of food, fuel and other supplies. We
understand that for this reason, diplomatic missions are
proposing to withdraw dependants.

4.(U) The Chinese residents that were the immediate target of
the rioting own most of the business establishments in Honiara
and a large part of those nationwide. Damage to the retail
sector and light industry, and the closely associated homes of
the owners, is extensive. Even if all of the owners elect to
remain and rebuild, the economy has been dealt a serious setback.

5.(SBU) We have polled the American community in Honiara and
none have elected to depart despite offers of transportation on
both Australian and New Zealand military aircraft.

6.(SBU) Political leaders in both factions are now meeting with
their respective supporters, not with each other. Neither side
is taking any steps or issuing any statements designed to cool
the situation. Though the rioters are exhausted and the looters
looted out, passions have been vented not healed.

7.(C) COMMENT: Almost three years ago, the arrival of 2200
troops and police under RAMSI restored order after five years of
increasing ethnic strife. This week, the addition of 180 to the
220 police already in country did the trick. Perhaps that should
be seen as progress. However, it is now clear that the
intervention merely stabilized the situation. Despite
large-scale Australian assistance and intensive institution
building, Solomon Island democratic institutions clearly cannot
cope with the deep fissures and frustrations that divide the
many communities in its society. A strong outside hand will be
needed for a long, long time.

FITTS