A "failed state".

October 22, 2001 10:38 AM

A "failed state". Breakdown in law and order. Imminent collapse of social infrastructure. And no, it isn't Afghanistan.
posted by gimonca (4 comments total)

is it Miami?
posted by o2b at 11:24 AM on October 22, 2001

"Gangs of former ethnic militiamen..."

Either Australian journalism standards are quite low, or genetic engineering is very advanced in the Solomon Islands.
posted by Harry Hopkins' Hat at 7:58 AM on October 23, 2001

And you know what the Malatia Eagles fight with? WWII era American weapons which have a nasty habit of occasionally blowing up in your hand.

So in a sense, this too can be blamed on the US's influence around the world. Good.
posted by rschram at 2:56 PM on October 23, 2001

Mr Downer said yesterday that Australia would "respond generously" and enlist the support of other international donors if the Solomons addressed its problems.

I really don't see how it can so "address" them. The government in SI is manipulated (and last year, was temporarily ousted) by the army/paramilitary groups, who sound like the thugs shooting at people in the capital, but have in the past battled with the equally thuggish Guadalcanal freedon fighters.

I predict a ANZAC reunion tour, possibly with the support of PNG, in a protracted Somalia-like relief operation. AOS.*

* "all options suck."
posted by rschram at 3:04 PM on October 23, 2001