14 Jun 2003

Fiji soldiers could help keep peace in Solomon islands

4:36 am on 14 June 2003

Fiji soldiers could be deployed to Solomon Islands on peacekeeping duties.

Radio Fiji reports that this has been disclosed at this week's Forum finance ministers' meeting at Majuro in the Marshall Islands.

It quotes the head of the Australian delegation, Senator Ian Campbell, as saying Canberra is doing all it can to return law and order to the Solomons.

He said Australia and New Zealand in combination with other Pacific Island nations want to put together a relevant force subject to agreement by the Solomon Islands.

Senator Campbell said it was desirable to have a multinational force and Fiji was mentioned in the discussions.

Fiji soldiers have long years of experience in peacekeeping, particularly in troubled areas of the Middle East