FED: Downer defends Solomons intelligence

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2006
FED: Downer defends Solomons intelligence

ALEXANDER DOWNER has defended the intelligence the government received on last week's
rioting in the Solomon Islands .. saying the trouble in Honiara was spontaneous.

The foreign affairs minister also says ethnic Chinese fearing for their safety in the
Solomons .. are welcome to apply for asylum in Austraia.

Mr DOWNER says Australia knew the Solomons was a fragile and sensitive place before
the riots .. but had no way of knowing the scale of what was to unfold when SNYDER RINI
was announced as Prime Minister.

He's told Macquarie Radio .. troops would have been there in advance if Australia had
known the riots would take place.

He says the Australian army at Townsville had been on 24-hour notice .. and troops
got to the Solomons very quickly to defuse the situation.

AAP RTV ajc/jv/rt

KEYWORD: SOLOMONS DOWNER (SYDNEY)

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