Australia warns citizens of Solomons danger

CANBERRA, Mar 13 (Reuters) Australia today warned its citizens against travel to the Solomon Islands amid fears of attacks on foreigners and members of an international force sent to bring stability to the tiny Pacific country.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs said security in the Solomons could quickly deteriorate amid internal political tensions and ongoing differences between Canberra and Honiara over the role of the international force, known as RAMSI.

''There remain criminal elements within the community, some of whom have access to firearms,'' the Australian travel advisory said.

''We continue to receive information suggesting that some of these may be encouraging criminal activity and acts of violence targeting RAMSI and the expatriate civilian community for political purposes.'' Since 2003, Australia has led a Pacific-wide aid mission in the Solomons, aiming to stamp out corruption and restore law and order after the island nation came close to collapse due to ethnic violence and mismanagement.

Last April nearly 400 troops and an extra 120 police from Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Papua New Guinea were rushed to Honiara after national elections sparked riots.

But Australia and the Solomons have since traded accusations of outrageous behaviour since Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare expelled Canberra's top diplomat and Australia demanded more value for its A840 million dollars (661 million dollars) aid package.

Solomons opposition leader Fred Fono this week accused Sogavare of trying to damage the RAMSI force by accusing its members of engaging in prostitution, causing traffic accidents and smuggling a World War Two relic out of the country.

Sogavare said he was not trying to undermine the RAMSI mission, but did want its operations to be more accountable.

''Is the government expected to uphold transparency and the principles of good governance whilst those who are tasked to reinforce such efforts continue to blatantly mislead us?'' he said.

Sogavare has demanded less Australian influence over RAMSI and accused Canberra of interfering in his country's internal affairs, winning support from Pacific neighbours Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.

REUTERS SB BST1040