932 Chapter 6
910 PAPUA NEW GUINEA/940 SOLOMON ISLANDSMID#4075
Dispute Number: 4075
Date(s): March 5, 1993 to May 1, 1993
Participants: 910 Papua New Guinea/940 Solomon Islands
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: On March 5, 1993, Solomon Islands police fired warning shots at a Papua
New Guinea Defense Force aircraft that was flying in their airspace without respond-
ing to repeated attempts by the police. The dispute involved a series of standoffs,
warning shots, and fire exchange over a period of several weeks and ended with talks
of a proposal to redraw the maritime territory, including the recommendation of a “hot
pursuit” policy. That policy, allowing each country to come 30 kilometers inside each
other’s territory, was signed on May 1.
Coding changes: End day changed from Missing. Outcome changed from Unclear.
Settlement changed from None.
MID#4076
Dispute Number: 4076
Date(s): May 31, 1996 to November 29, 1996
Participants: 910 Papua New Guinea/940 Solomon Islands
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The Solomon Islands had responded to threats of “hot pursuits” by Papua
New Guinea (PNG) with acts of cooperation, including a ceasefire agreement in
March 1996 and the dismissal of a rebel leader in May.
Nevertheless, PNG violated Solomon Islands territory—in Liuliu village on the
western tip of Choiseul Island—on May 31, 1996. A PNG patrol defense force boat
along with two smaller boats pursued rebels into Solomon territory. The pursuit led
to an exchange of fire between PNG and Solomon border police. The dispute led to
several cross-border violations of PNG. Talks between the two states closed with an
agreement to tightened surveillance. The Solomon Islands argued that there was no
intention to harbor rebels but still wanted to exercise sovereignty over their territory.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from June 1, 1996. Settlement changed from
None.