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Looting continues as Australian forces head to Solomons. 19/04/2006. ABC News Online
[This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200604/s1619310.htm]
Last Update: Wednesday, April 19, 2006. 4:39pm (AEST)
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Reinforcements ready: Townsville soldiers pack for Solomons deployment (ABC TV)
Looting continues as Australian forces head to Solomons
Looting is reported to be continuing and some fires are still burning in Solomon Islands, where the situation remains tense after police used tear gas to try to disperse gangs across the capital Honiara.
One hundred and ten Australian soldiers and another 80 federal police officers are on their way to help restore law and order.
There have also been offers of help from the New Zealand and Fiji police.
Residents have been advised to remain indoors, and schools have been closed for the day.
Rioting broke out yesterday following the election of Prime Minister Synder Rini, when supporters of his main rival claimed the vote was fixed.
More than a dozen Australian peacekeepers were injured in the ensuing violence, as protesters burnt cars and targeted businesses in Chinatown.
The Archbishop of Honiara, Adrian Smith, says the area has been devastated.
"The fires during the night in Chinatown were quite horrific to look at, and the large area of Chinatown has been destroyed," he said.
"It's terrible to see the suffering of those Chinese families who have worked hard for so many years to build up a business, to see it all destroyed in such a quick time."
'Right decision'
The Prime Minister John Howard says he hopes the quick deployment of troops will bring stability to the region.
The Prime Minister says he acted after a request from the Solomons Government.
Mr Howard says he does not believe the situation will deteriorate further but if more reinforcements are necessary, they will be sent.
"There are some offers being made by other countries in the region and I will be talking to the Prime Minister of New Zealand this afternoon," he said.
Labor leader Kim Beazley says the Government has made the right decision.
"The Solomon Islands is our back door, [we] have to make sure the South Pacific works," he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is warning Australians to reconsider travel to the region.
'Overstretched forces'
The head of Australia's policing operation in the Solomon Islands says additional police and soldiers are necessary to bring the city of Honiara under control in the wake of riots.
Commissioner Shane Castles says the extra manpower is needed to relieve his overstretched forces and implement a city-wide curfew.
"We await the arrival of those resources so we factor them into our operational deployments around the city, to man road-blocks and we need to lock down the city starting at 6pm tonight," he said.
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