Australian White Papers predict instability in the Sth Pacific

Australia's Foreign Policy White Paper predicts instability in the South Pacific for the foreseeable future.

The policy statement says Australia has special responsibilities to the region and stands ready to help.

Releasing the White Paper Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, said the island countries are sovereign states that have to tackle their own problems.

"In the South Pacific, Australia has a particular responsibility to help small fragile island countries deal with deep-seated problems," he said.

"We can help effectively only if the Pacific Island countries are prepared to help themselves, we are not a neo-colonial power, we cannot impose solutions."

The paper says Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces huge challenges, with the population due to double to 10 million people by 2025.

The statement says HIV-AIDS is emerging as a major health and development problem for PNG.