Asia-Pacific News
More Australian troops for Solomon Islands
Oct 25, 2008, 7:45 GMT
Sydney - Over 140 Australian reserve soldiers will be deployed to the Solomon Islands to help maintain peace and stability, a Defence Department statement said Saturday.
'During the four-month deployment, the soldiers will carry out street patrols alongside the Australian Federal Police and in support of the RAMSI (Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands) participating police forces within Solomon Islands,' Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said.
'Additionally, army personnel will also be involved in numerous community outreach activities on behalf of RAMSI,' he said.
The soldiers from three Australian states are preparing for deployment to Solomon Islands in December.
'Their contribution in Solomon Islands is made all the more exceptional by the fact that their civilian employers have released them to provide military service to a neighbour in need,' the defence minister said.
The Australian military has been involved with RAMSI since it commenced in July 2003.
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