VZCZCXRO8642
PP RUEHPB
DE RUEHPB #0175 1100656
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 200656Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4419
INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 0772
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0174
RHMFISS/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA 0141
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 1787

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