The White House announced that a high-level US delegation had warned the leadership in the Solomon Islands that the recently signed agreement “may have regional security repercussions” on Washington and its allies.
“The delegation made it clear that if steps are taken towards a de facto permanent military presence, or to impose hegemony or to establish a military facility, the United States will have many concerns and will respond as required,” the White House statement said.
The US delegation, which conducted a tour this week that included Hawaii, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, was led by Kurt Campbell, the National Security Council’s Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific and the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs Daniel Kreittenbrick, and the delegation also included officials in the Ministry of Defense.
The station in the Solomon Islands came after China confirmed the conclusion of a wide-ranging security agreement with the Solomon Islands, which Washington considered to be part of the expansion of Chinese influence and Beijing’s strategic expansion in the Pacific region and trade routes.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavari tried to reassure Washington and Canberra that the agreement with China did not include the establishment of a military base.
According to the White House statement: “Sugavari reiterated his assurances that no military base would be established and (the agreement did not include the establishment of) any long-term presence or imposition of hegemony, which he said publicly.”
The statement pointed out that “the United States confirmed that it will follow developments closely, in consultation with its regional partners.”
During a 90-minute meeting with Sogavari and 24 people between members of the government and high-ranking officials, US officials discussed accelerating the opening of a US embassy, providing health care assistance, delivering vaccine doses, and “strengthening the bonds between the two peoples,” according to the White House.
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