by Georgina Maka’a
The maritime security agreement Solomon Islands signed with the United States on Tuesday will be made publicly available, Government says.
“The document contains no non-disclosure provisions preventing either country from releasing its contents,” a statement the Government issued tonight said.
The Prime Minister’s Office further clarified Cabinet approved the Shiprider Agreement more than a month ago through the normal government process, and dismissed suggestions that the agreement was being withheld from public scrutiny.
It added the agreement would soon be released for public access.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Honiara, P. Daniel O’Hara, said the maritime agreement was built on mutual benefit and respect for Solomon Islands’ sovereignty.
“This agreement is about mutual benefit,” O’Hara said.
“It allows Solomon Islands law enforcement officers to embark on U.S. Coast Guard vessels, including cutters like the Harriet Lane,” he added.
“Your officers will enforce your own laws in your own waters.
“You decide which vessels to investigate.
“You determine the violations.
“You set the penalties.
“This is Solomon Islands sovereignty, backed by American capability.”
O’hara said the partnership would strengthen both countries’ ability to combat illegal fishing, transnational crime and narcotics trafficking, describing them as threats to Solomon Islands’ economic security and the integrity of its Exclusive Economic Zone.
“Together, we are far better positioned to counter illegal fishing, transnational crime and narcotics trafficking.
“These threats endanger your economic security and the integrity of your Exclusive Economic Zone,” he said.
Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare, whose government signed a secretive security agreement with China in 2022, had earlier warned the Government on the implications of the shiprider agreement.
He claimed allowing U.S. law enforcement personnel to operate in Solomon Islands waters could compromise the country’s sovereign authority over its maritime domain.
