The Native Iowan

The blustery weather continues. The air is quite chilly. Drizzly rain comes and goes. The world here is damp, soggy.

The newz has been full of Solomon Islands. Their recent “deal” with China. It would appear as though most folks are concerned, worried, anxious over it all.

I’m not so sure. I’m not so sure its worth worrying about, or even a big deal. Of course I could be very wrong. It could mean the end of the world as we know it. But I kinda doubt that.

A quick check shows that China has diplomatic ties with 10 of 14 Pacific Nations. I found this interesting: …ten states in Oceania have diplomatic relations with the PRC, and four have diplomatic relations with the ROC. These numbers fluctuate as Pacific Island nations re-evaluate their foreign policies, and occasionally shift diplomatic recognition between Beijing and Taipei.

Here is an official blurb from the CCP… https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjb_663304/zwjg_665342/zwbd_665378/202203/t20220311_10650946.html

So Im trolling for discussion on this topic, and find a bunch worthy of attention. Its not a new topic. And has “blown up” in recent months. I found this a good read… https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/3/10/riots-and-snubs-in-pacific-islands-a-growing-wariness-of-china

Little blurbs like this mean a lot: … Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited Fiji in February — the first trip by the top US diplomat in 37 years — and, among other things, announced that the US would set up an embassy in the Solomon Islands even as the country recovers from the recent violence.

Too little, too late????

I hold the opinion that the “West”, the US, UK, Aus, France, et al, have overlooked the Pacific far too long. Have treated the Pacific Islands’ leadership (as they often act) like a bunch of children. Have been disdainful, arrogant, and parental in their relationships. I know from personal experience that The West and its diplomatic corps and greasy aid-organisations look down upon the islanders, and those who immigrated, resettled, made lives in the islands.

I hit the Solomons in January 1981. Made it my home, settled in, started a family, built a life, a business, a career. After the coup in 2000, as the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands kicked into gear, I interacted with and became friendly with many of the folks that came as advisors, changers, operatives. As these “operatives” came and started “projects” and did what they thought best, I was perplexed as to why these operatives did not listen more to “The People On The Ground”. Those who were living through and with the situation at hand.

One of these people, operatives, and I got socially friendly. Spent a fair amount of time together, shared our lives. It was an eve of BBQ and beer at my house, a number of folks were there. Island style, with kids of all ages, and noise and food and my dogs, and laughter and tears. We’re sitting under my sago-leaf verandah, talking, being friends, I decide to ask “…why you RAMSI folks don’t talk and listen more to the “locals”… why the general expatriate and Solomon business houses are not engaged more?”… His answer was simple: “… we don’t trust them…” he said, “… you guys are part of the problem…”.

I was a bit stunned by this, and I didn’t pursue it then, but later we discussed this deeper and I found that The Operatives, The Diplomats, The highly paid project managers that were coming to save us, Those Who Knew Best, WHO KNEW BETTER than those who called the Solomons “Home”, view the Residents, The Locals as being too stupid, too immature, too incapable, and TOO CORRUPT to contribute much by way of fixing what ever problems needed fixing.

And this mindset was taught to the operatives before they arrived to “help”. They arrived with their prejudices in place. It was part of their portfolio. A part of their assignment… don’t listen to the locals, they can’t be trusted.

And, sadly, in many ways they were right. Not 100%, but enough to carry weight. The 2000 coup was a result of a newly elected administration trying to “clean things up”, to change a lot of corrupt practices. And they were walking the talk… The coup was funded by players that wanted to maintain a less than positive business model of corrupt pay to play. Many of the players involved came from the logging industry, came from the Chinese community. So my old buddy, Bart, got ousted as PM, and Soga and Smiling Charlie and Co. came to power by force of arms. Only to be recognised and supported by The West/ Aus.

In fact, RAMSI was brought in to quash a “civil war”, and by doing so propped up an illegitimate administration.

Its interesting that The West/ Aus has kept Soga in power through a couple riots, a couple feeble coups. Noting well Soga has no great love for The West/ Aus.

One big mistake The West/Aus made can be studied within the Julian Mote affair. I won’t go into it all here but Australia broke the rules, played the parent in charge, broke laws, made their choices when they “arrested”, some say kidnapped, Julian Mote and repatriated him to Aus.

There has been a long-time “kids in the candy shop” attitude. A neo-colonial concept of “they will fail without help”. A concept not completely unfounded.

Similar can be said about leaving your teenaged kids (grandkids) with the house for a week. There shall be a party, or two. There shall be messes made, chores left undone, and lesson learned. Making mistakes is part of growing. getting hut is part of growing, learning.

Does a Nation grow up? Does a Nation build its own identity?

Like my teenagers?

Tomorrow is ANZAC Day. I get ANZAC Day. Lest we forget. I get it. And I get why its a big thing in an Aussie Identity.

Manasseh Sogavare is an interesting guy. I know him, have worked with him, he and my wife are distant relatives: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manasseh_Sogavare

This whole situation, this entire topic has heaps to do with “Uncle Soga”.

Soga is no fool, smart in may ways, experienced as a politician. His political career is interesting and over 2decades long. He’s loving the attention. The press, the spot light.

What does China own in Aus???? The answer is “HEAPS!!!!”. The Answer is, “what don’t they have a finger in”…

Important note… the CCP, the Government Of China, is a shareholder in all Chinese businesses. To do business with a Chinese business is to do business with the Chinese Government, The CCP.

Ive written on this before. Here’s a piece from a couple years ago…

https://nativeiowan.wordpress.com/2020/12/09/2020-v12-political-ruminations-about-china/

So, my thought is that Uncle Soga is enjoying the game. He has China and Australia raising the ante to play his game. The US is paying homage. He is using the Aussie election to his advantage. Im unsure if what he is doing is “good” for the Solomons, but no doubt it’s good for Uncle Soga.

And the beat goes on…

more later