Solomon Islands Public Announcement
Issued by US Department of State
Mar 18, 2003
This Public Announcement is being issued to update information on safety and security in the Solomon Islands in light of continuing threats against members of the government and occurrences of lawless behavior in the capital region of Honiara and in Malaita Province. This replaces the December 20, 2002, Public Announcement and expires September 14, 2003.
The arrival of a new Police Commissioner in late January 2003 has brought some improvements in the security situation in Honiara. However, the status of the three-year old political, economic, and security crisis in the Solomon Islands remains largely unchanged. In February 2003, a member of the National Peace Council and former Police Commissioner was assassinated in Auki, Malaita Province.
The majority of lawless incidents are caused by police and militia bands seeking monetary compensation for their participation in police operations. Because the government has occasionally met these demands, we expect the incidents to continue.
Americans planning to visit the Solomon Islands should contact the U.S. Consular Agent in Honiara or the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for updates on the security situation.
All Americans in the Solomon Islands should register with the U.S. Consular agent in Honiara, as there is no U.S. Embassy in the Solomon Islands. However, American citizens in the Solomon Islands with emergencies or needing updated security information may contact the U.S. Consular Agent, c/o BJS Agencies on Mendana Avenue in Honiara, telephone (677) 27429, fax (677) 23426. Alternatively, contact the U. S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, telephone (675) 321-1455, fax (675) 321-1593, e-mail consularportmoresby@state.gov. For further general information on travel to the Solomon Islands, please consult the Department of States latest Consular Information Sheet for the Solomon Islands and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are available at www.travel.state.gov.
