MEDALS NEWS
24 September 2003
Hon Mark Burton
Minister of Defence visit to Solomon Islands and Vanuatu
Minister of Defence Mark Burton today presented the New Zealand General Service
Medal (Solomon Islands) to officers of the Vanuatu Police Force. The medal is
a New Zealand government initiative designed to recognise the contribution of
police personnel in Vanuatu, Tonga, and Cook Islands who served as members of
the International Peace Monitoring Team (IPMT) in the Solomon Islands from October
2000 to June 2002.
Mark Burton praised Vanuatu’s participation in regional peace support operations.
“Vanuatu’s involvement in the IPMT, as well as their work in the Bougainville
Peace Monitoring Group, was important in terms of regional security. It demonstrated
that Pacific countries, working together, can help a friend and neighbour in
a time of need.”
The presentation followed a day on the ground in the Solomon Islands, where Mark
Burton travelled by helicopter to Auki, a large village on the island of Malaita.
He met there with Reuben Mori, the provincial Premiere, and New Zealand Defence
Force (NZDF) and Police personnel who are working on Malaita as part of the Regional
Assistance Mission (RAMSI).
Mark Burton said that the visit was an excellent opportunity to see RAMSI’s progress
first-hand.
“The first stages of this mission have gone very well, but there is certainly
more work to be done.
“Our NZDF personnel continue to play a key role in supporting the police as they
restore the rule of law in the Solomon Islands. In addition, the NZDF is facilitating
civil and humanitarian assistance by providing helicopter transport, engineers
for refurbishment of facilities, and medical staff who will work to re-establish
community level medical support.
“New Zealand’s service men and women have an international reputation for excellence.
Their outstanding work in RAMSI certainly reinforces the high level of honour
and professionalism the NZDF is known for.”
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