ABSTRACT

Whatever changes have taken place in the region since the Otago Foreign Policy School in 2004, they only reinforce the concerns that have been raised in this book about the future of Pacific regionalism. One of the most controversial issues addressed in this book is the question of regional intervention. This came to prominence in 2003 when Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) was set up under Australian direction and control, and sent to Solomon Islands for the purpose of restoring law and order in the country whilst assisting the Solomon Islands Government with economic recovery and the restoration of government services. RAMSI has now been in operation for three years and there is still no indication of when it might be concluded. The mission has been highly successful in restoring peace and stability to the country and disarming the two islands, Guadalcanal and Malaita, where most of the conflict was located.