Opinion | Solomon Islands fought back against bullying
By Augustus K. Yeung
INTRODUCTION
Back in 1973, attending a post graduate education program at the Ontario College of Education, I witnessed something similar that happened in the following incident, which the readers will soon get to read.
We had a high caliber visiting professor from Britain. Socially, she was quite a polite person with attractive Oxford accent. But her "vocabulary" of situated intent stirred a teacup diplomatic storm: When giving her introductory remarks, she said, "Coming to the colony, I marvel at the wonderful way Her Majesty's Canadian subjects managed her empire in North America…" I saw the jaws of my professors dropped. And many of them left the auditorium before the end of the welcome ceremony.
That incident, showing colonial mentality, which occurred in 20th century was just unforgettable.
The way the Americans and Australians are treating the islanders in the 21st century, reflects residual chauvinism and white supremacy.
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT OF INCIDENT OF DENIED PORT CALL
A U.S. coast guard cutter conducting patrols as part of an international mission to prevent illegal fishing was recently unable to get clearance for a scheduled port call in Solomon Islands, an incident that comes amid growing concerns of Chinese influence on the Pacific nation.
"The cutter Oliver Henry was taking part in Operation Island Chief monitoring fishing activities in the Pacific… to refuel and re-provision," the Coast Guard office in Honolulu said.
"There was no response from the Solomon Islands' government for diplomatic clearance for the vessel to stop there, however, so the Oliver Henry diverted to Papua New Guinea," the Coast Guard said.
When the stop in Solomon Islands had been scheduled wasn't disclosed, the Coast Guard said the Oliver Henry had arrived in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Tuesday "following a patrol in parts of the Coral Sea and the Solomon Islands."
Britain's Royal Navy did not comment directly on reports that the HMS Spey, also taking part in Operation Island Chief, was also denied a port call in Solomon Islands.
During Operation Island Chief, the U.S., Australia, Britain and New Zealand provided support through aerial and surface surveillance for Pacific island nations participating in the operation, including Solomon Islands…
China has been "assertively" trying to expand its presence and influence in the Pacific, and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare alarmed some neighbors, the U.S, and others after he signed a security pact with China.
It has raised fears of a Chinese naval base being established within 2,000 kilometers of Australia's northeast coast. A Chinese military presence in the Solomon Islands would put it not only on the doorstep of Australia and New Zealand but also in close proximity to Guam, the U.S. territory that hosts major military bases.
Both the Solomon Islands and China have denied their pact will lead to a Chinese military foothold in the South Pacific.
Sogavare also raised eyebrows earlier in August when he skipped a memorial service marking the anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal, a key battle in World War II in which American and other allied forces wrested control of the islands from Imperial Japan.
U.S. Deputy Security of State Wendy Sherman, whose father was wounded during the Guadalcanal campaign and who attended the memorial, said Sogavare "missed an important opportunity" by failing to attend.
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn met with Sogavare in the Solomon Islands on Wednesday, but it was not clear whether she raised the issue of the Coast Guard's refused port call.
The Tennessee Republican said in a statement on her website that her visit to the Solomon Islands as well as Fiji and Papua New Guinea "was an important step in showcasing America's commitment to the region and expanding our strategic relationships."
Coast Guard Lt. Kristin Kam told the Stars and Stripes [American] newspaper that the U.S. State Department had been in touch with the Solomon Islands government following the refusal of the port call and that they "expect all future clearances will be provided to U.S. ships." MDT/AP
CONCLUSION
When conducting operations, foreign naval ships must secure clearance, as a sign of respect for sovereignty; however, Oliver Henry, the U.S. coast guard cutter was recently unable to get "clearance".
For what reason? Failure to secure clearance could mean diplomatic rebuff.
Britain's Royal Navy also did not secure clearance, but it did not comment directly on reports that the HMS Spey, also taking part in Operation Island Chief, was also denied a port call in Solomon Islands.
Besides, who had authorized the U.S. to conduct "patrols as part of an international mission" following a "patrol in parts of the Coral Sea and the Solomon Islands"?
In defiance, Prime Minister Sogavare has every right to deny the U.S. coast guard cutter's port call.
US. Republican senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee "met with Sogavare in the Solomon Islands on Wednesday." She said on her website that her visit to the Solomon Islands as well as Fiji and Papua New Guinea "was an important step in showcasing America's commitment to the region and expanding our [America's] strategic relationships."
Perhaps, she should first get her government to clear the unexploded bombs that the U.S. had dropped on the Guadalcanal region; today, civilians are reportedly still fatally injured by the bombs left there since World War II, according to the local government.
The fact that the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands chose not to attend the annual memorial commemorating the Battle of Guadalcanal could have been a show of displeasure or a sign of protest to American allies' contemptuous way of treating Solomon Islands.
When as an opposition leader, Anthony Albanese had said it was clear "relationships have broken down" between Australia and Sogavare, and that the Morrison government should have been engaging more deeply for longer.
Clearly, Solomon's port denial and defense pact with China should not be labelled as "a threat to peace", but a way to fight back against big power bullying.
The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
Read more articles by Augustus K. Yeung:
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