ending with a bang, starting with a whimper - a shaky start for RAMSI' in 05

RAMSI's first death came at the end of 2004 - Adam Dunning was shot dead at Green Valley in Honiara.

The next day, 100 RAMSI troops arrived, and within two weeks, first one suspect then another, had been arrested.

The military return seems to have involved some rough treatment of Solomon Islanders. One man, John Makasi, alleges being held alone in a container, and forced to urinate in front of AFP officers when picked up for questioning. Other stories abound in Honiara, and come on top of a previously quiet stream of concern about how SI's legal (some would say human rights) corners are being cut by the imported lawmen. The fact that these have not been covered by the mainstream media until now may be changing - Makasi's complaint, if pressed, may end up uncovering some unwelcome details. For instance, his lawyer is arguing that his humiliation was a breach of his constitutional rights - the 2003 law granting RAMSI personnel immunity from SI prosecution is subject to the national constitution, and RAMSI might prove to be open to SI court action after all.

This case is bringing to the fore a whole host of other hitherto unvoiced reservations - the most notable being Bishop Terry Brown's criticism published in Solomon Star last week. (pdf here) Titled "RAMSI, the Police and the Future", he spells out a number of areas of RAMSI operations, in which not enough seems to be happening in the strategically crucial areas of rural employment and social engagement by the [primarily Australian] troops and bureaucrats.

Although one of his criticisms has already been dismissed by RAMSI, the pressure will continue through January.

Next week, SI's Parliament reconvenes, to consider business unfinished when they adjourned mid December. Top of the agenda: RAMSI's future. Whatever happens, one thing is clear. RAMSI's future is tied up with the government's future. Exactly how will depend on exactly who wins the day in parliament.

Stay tuned.