Solomon Islands Says Australia And New Zealand Are Exempt From Foreign Navy Ship Moratorium

Mr Sogavare told parliament that vessels from Australia would be exempt due to its participation in a treaty.  

Reuters: Solomon Islands says Australia, NZ exempt from navy ship moratorium 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Navy vessels from Australia and New Zealand will be exempt from a temporary ban on foreign ships entering the ports of the Solomon Islands, the Pacific island nation's prime minister told parliament on Monday. 

Foreign military vessels responding to a request for assistance from the Solomon Islands government would also be exempt, Prime Minister Manesseh Sogavare said. 

The Solomon Islands signed a security pact with China in April, which a leaked draft said allows the Chinese navy to replenish in Honiara, prompting concern from the United States, Australia and New Zealand about China's growing influence.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Solomon Islands Exempts Navy Vessels From Australia and New Zealand (Solomon Times) 

Update #2: Solomon Islands Exempt Australia - New Zealand from Foreign Naval Ban (Maritime Executive) 

WNU Editor: Both Australia and New Zealand give millions in aid to the Solomon Islands .... Australia’s aid program in Solomon Islands continues to grow. It will be foolish for the Solomon Islands to jeopardize this.

Solomon Islands Has Announced A Temporary Moratorium On All Foreign Naval Port Visits

 

USNI News: Solomon Islands Blocks All Naval Port Visits After U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Denied Entry 

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sogavare has announced a temporary moratorium on visits by foreign naval vessels after turning away a U.S Coast Guard Cutter last week. 

Speaking at a ceremony welcoming hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) to Honiara, Sogavare said that bureaucratic issues were behind the denial of diplomatic clearance to USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC-1140). 

“Unfortunately, by the time the approval was communicated on the evening of 20th August 2022, the Ship’s captain had decided to leave our waters.” Sogavare said in statement.  

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Solomon Islands Has Announced A Temporary Moratorium On All Foreign Naval Port Visits  

Solomon Islands to ban navy ships from ports until new process in place -- Reuters  

Solomon Islands to ban foreign navy ships following China pact -- DW  

Solomon Islands PM admits he has BANNED visits from US warships after the Pacific nation signed a 'security pact' with China -- Daily Mail  

Solomon Islands halts naval visits after US, UK ships denied entry -- BBC  

Solomons slap ‘moratorium’ on naval vessel visits; PM says USCG ship was OKd for entry, but… -- Breaking Defense  

Solomon Islands to ban all foreign navy ships from ports pending new approval process -- CNN  

Solomon Islands suspends all naval visits: US embassy -- Al Jazeera

Solomon Islands Refuses To Allow US Coast Guard Ship To Make A Port Of Call

USCGC Oliver Henry gets underway on Aug. 8, 2022, from Guam for a patrol headed south to assist partner nations in upholding and asserting their sovereignty while protecting U.S. national interests. USCG Photo by Sara Muir 

gCaptain/Reuters: US Coast Guard Can’t Bunker In Solomon Islands  

(Reuters) A United States Coast Guard vessel was unable to enter Solomon Islands for a routine port call because the Solomon Islands government did not respond to a request for it to refuel and provision, a U.S. official said. 

 The islands’ government did not immediately answer a Reuters request for comment.

The Solomon Islands has had a tense relationship with the United States and its allies since striking a security pact with China in May. 

The USCGC Oliver Henry was on patrol for illegal fishing in the South Pacific for a regional fisheries agency when it failed to obtain entry to refuel at Honiara, the Solomons’ capital, a U.S. Coast Guard press officer told Reuters in an emailed statement. The U.S. vessel was diverted to Papua New Guinea instead, the official said.  

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WNU Editor: This refusal to allow a US ship to make a port of call follows the Solomon Islands signing a security pact with China.  

Update: another disturbing trend from the Solomon Islands .... Solomon Islands to ban foreign journalists who are not ‘respectful’ – report (The Guardian). 

Solomon Islands Refuses To Allow US Coast Guard Ship To Make A Port Of Call  

Report: US Coast Guard ship denied port call in Solomons -- AP  

Solomon Islands refuses to allow US ship to make port call -- AFP  

US vessel barred from Solomon Islands as China extends influence -- SKY News  

Solomon Islands doesn't answer US Coast Guard's request for port visit, US says -- CNN  

Now Under Beijing’s Sway, Solomon Islands Spurns an American Ship -- The New York Sun

U.S. Threatens Military Action If China Sets Up A Solomon Islands Base

The Guardian: US won’t rule out military action if China establishes base in Solomon Islands  

Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink warns security pact presents ‘potential regional security implications’ 

One of the most senior US officials in the Pacific has refused to rule out military action against Solomon Islands if it were to allow China to establish a military base there, saying that the security deal between the countries presented “potential regional security implications” for the US and other allies. 

Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, was part of a high-level US delegation to the Pacific country last week. Read more ....  

WNU editor: My gut tells me that the US is going to push for regime change in the Sololmon Islands. Everyone is convinced that the purpose of this security agreement is give China the opportunity to open the door for China to establish a military base in the region.

U.S. Threatens Military Action If China Sets Up A Solomon Islands Base  

US threatens military action if China sets up Solomon Islands base: ‘Would very naturally respond’ -- The Independent 

US warns Solomon Islands over China agreement -- Straits Times  

Scott Morrison says Chinese military base in Solomon Islands would be 'red line' for Australia, US -- ABC News Australia  

Australian PM warns Chinese that new base would be 'red line' for Australia and the US -- FOX News  

Tiny Pacific nation has Washington in state of alarm after a security pact with China -- NBC  

The China-Solomon Islands security pact and why it has raised alarm -- SCMP

US Warns Solomon Islands To Not Permit China To Build A Military Base

 

The Guardian: US warns Solomon Islands against China military base as Australian MPs trade blame 

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg refuses to say when Australia first knew of pact between Solomon Islands and China 

The US government has warned Solomon Islands it will “respond accordingly” if its security agreement with China leads to a Chinese military presence in the Pacific island nation. 

A visiting US delegation including Indo-Pacific security adviser Kurt Campbell delivered the message to the Solomon Islands prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, directly, the White House said, as fallout over the agreement continued to dominate the Australian federal election campaign.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Australia;s warnings are very blunt .... Scott Morrison says Chinese military base in Solomon Islands would be 'red line' for Australia, US (ABC News Australia). 

More News On The U.S. Warning The Solomon Islands On Establishing A Chinese Base  

US Warns Solomon Islands of Action Over Pact With China -- AP  

U.S. to 'Respond Accordingly' If China Sets Up Base in Solomons -- Bloomberg  

Why Australia and the US care so much about China’s security pact with a tiny Pacific island nation -- CNN

Western Pressure Grows On Solomon Islands To Abandon Their Security Pact With China

Australia's north could soon be encircled by Chinese military forces as Beijing carries out a secret campaign to wield influence over small South Pacific nations, muscling in their seaports and eyeing off strategic patches of land  

AFP: Australia asks Solomon Islands to not sign China security pact 

Australia on Wednesday asked Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to not sign a controversial security pact with China. 

A leaked draft of the security agreement sent shockwaves across the region last month -- particularly measures that would allow Chinese security and naval deployments to the Solomon Islands. 

This pressed on long-held fears in the United States and its allies about the potential of China building a naval base in the South Pacific, which would allow Beijing to project its naval power far beyond its borders.  

Read more .... 

Western Pressure Grows On Solomon Islands To Abandon Their Security Pact With China  

Western pressure mounts on Solomons to quash pact with China -- AP  

Australia-China relations: Solomon Islands faces pressure over security pact as US weighs in, Scott Morrison sends minister amid election campaign -- SCMP  

Federated States of Micronesia calls on Solomon Islands to reconsider security treaty with China -- ABC News Australia

Unrest In The Solomon Islands -- November 26, 2021

 

CNN: Solomon Islands tells public workers to stay home as violent protests continue for third day 

Honiara, The Solomon Islands (CNN)The Solomon Islands government has declared a nightly curfew and advised all public servants to stay at home as violent protests continued for a third day on Friday, with crowds gathering at the Prime Minister's residence. 

Honiara, the Solomon Islands capital, has been hit by civil unrest since Wednesday, with protests, looting and burning of shops and businesses. 

Defying a previous 36-hour curfew, thousands of demonstrators have come out onto the streets calling for Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's resignation.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: China is watching the unfolding anti-Chinese riots in the Solomon Islands very closely .... Beijing condemns Solomon Islands violence and attacks on Chinese businesses (SCMP). 

Unrest In The Solomon Islands -- November 26, 2021  

Riots rock Solomon Islands capital for third day despite peacekeepers -- France 24  

Solomon Islands Prime Minister blames foreign powers for civil unrest that prompted call to Australia for help -- ABC News Australia  

Unrest continues in Solomons with PM blaming foreign powers -- Al Jazeera 

Solomon Islands PM blames violent anti-government protests on foreign interference -- The Guardian  

Solomon Islands: Officials impose curfew after days of unrest -- DW 

Solomon Islands violence recedes but not underlying tension -- AP  

Solomon Islands Prime Minister's property targeted by rioters, one building damaged by fire and looters -- ABC News Australia  

Why this building was one of the few NOT attacked during anti-Chinese riots in the Solomon Islands - and the reason will infuriate China as Australian police arrive to help restore order -- Daily Mail  

Australia’s early intervention can help Solomon Islands but the roots of the conflict run deep -- Mihai Sora, The Guardian

Australia Sends Troops To Solomon Islands Amid Anti-China Riots. Parliament Burned Down

 

Daily Mail: Australia deploys troops to the Solomon Islands as disturbing scenes erupt with violent anti-China rioters BURNING DOWN a police station and threatening civil war over communist influences 

* Scott Morrison announces Australian troops to deploy to the Solomon Islands 

* Civil unrest has broken out in the capital amid a wave of anti-China protests 

* Building have been torched, shops have been looted and mobs still 'on the move' 

* Back in 2003 Australia sent 2,200 troops to the South Pacific nation after riots 

* The Regional Assistance Mission involving the AFP lasted until June 30, 2017 

* Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare formally asked Australia for assistance 

* He has long been considered a critic of Canberra and supporter of Beijing 

Australia will send troops to the Solomon Islands as the South Pacific nation descends into chaos following anti-China riots. 

 The Australian National Security Committee held crisis talks on Thursday afternoon after Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare asked the Australian Government for assistance under the 2017 bilateral security agreement. 

Scott Morrison announced 23 Australian Federal Police officers are already on their way to support 'riot control' with a further 50 to be deployed to protect 'critical infrastructure'.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: A curfew has been announced .... Curfew in Solomon Islands as anti-government protests flare (Al Jazeera). 

More News On Australia Sending Troops To Solomon Islands To Restore Order  

Australia sending troops to Solomon Islands as unrest grows -- AP  

Australia to deploy police, military to Solomon Islands as protests spread -- Reuters  

Solomons PM warns capital rioters 'will face consequences' -- France 24  

Australia defense personnel dispatched to Solomon Islands as violent protests continue for second day -- CNN  

Parliament building and police station burned down during protests in Solomon Islands -- The Guardian   

Australia sends police, troops to riot-torn Solomon Islands -- UPI  

Chinese nationals in the Solomon Islands suffer loss on local riots -- Global Times  

China hopes the Solomon Islands restores social order and stability soon; any attempt to disrupt bilateral relations is futile: Chinese FM -- Global Times