Annan lauds regional effort to bring stability to Solomon Islands

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today commended countries in the Pacific Islands region for their collective support to restore law and order in the Solomon Islands and voiced hope that a prompt return to normalcy will facilitate a peace-building process.

A statement released today in New York by Mr. Annan's spokesman said the Secretary-General "has taken note of the leadership exerted by Australia and New Zealand, in close partnership with other countries in the region, in response to the request for assistance from the Government of the Solomon Islands."

Mr. Annan recognizes the particular importance of the unanimous support for this concerted regional initiative undertaken within the framework of the Pacific Islands Forum's Biketawa Declaration, the statement added.

"The Secretary-General hopes that the prompt restoration of normalcy in the Solomon Islands will quickly lead to the regaining of national harmony and facilitate a peace-building process. He wishes to emphasize that the United Nations system is fully prepared to contribute actively to such a process," his spokesman stated.