Fiji considers a Pacific get-together
Fiji, suspended from the Commonwealth and the Pacific Islands Forum amid concerns over democratic rule, is considering holding its own gathering of Pacific leaders.
Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat it would be a way to talk “without getting too involved in what Australia and New Zealand want”.
Commodore Bainimarama said he was asked recently by some other Pacific leaders to include their countries as observers at the next meeting of the sub-regional Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
He is taking the idea seriously.
Fiji will host the next gathering of the MSG, which brings together leaders from Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
- Radio Australia
Pacific Islanders avoid confrontation. Let me guess that kailoma convict Frank is going to try to exploit this nicety of Pacific cultures to bully and intimidate his way to a position of self-delusional leadership in the Pacific. I think he will find that some of the leaders are better educated and seasoned leaders than to listen to his crap, which will no doubt take the form of a monologue in his home territory. Perhaps heads of state who disagree with him can be made to run around the oval at QEB, in his delusional mind.
gdevreal
October 30, 2009 at 3:46 am
What works with ordinary foot soldiers under his command may not work with leaders elected in democratic traditions.
gdevreal
October 30, 2009 at 3:47 am
Thats an excellent idea because it will bring together a bunch of corupted fools.
voresara
October 30, 2009 at 4:28 am
They probably will get together.
What we need to remember is that Frank has very little regard for what the other members of MSG have to say.
We also ned to remember that Frank (or his administration) has slapped a lot of these leaders in the face during his reign. eg.. When PNG’s ex Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu was nominated to chair talks in Fiji, he ws labelled a puppet. Sir Michael responded by instructing the Knight to turn down the offer AND instructing PNGs High Commissioner to Fiji to resign from chairing dialogue talks in Fiji. Furthermore, PNG is not going to give anything for nothing; sign over few private islands to few PNG millionares or their Asian counterparts and you get a press release saying something half in favour of Frank….then repeal it 24 hours later. Sound familiar?
More recently, the the regime used Solomon Islands peoples government avenues to plant “Fijian observers” (to waste their time)observing the SPForum in Australia. Besides, with RAMSI implanted in Solomons and Australia and NZ funding what is seen as the rehabilitation of the island nation, Frank shouldnt hold his breath on the influence that Solomons can give him.
If Franks thinks that it is only Australia and New Zealand that want Fiji to return to democracy, if he thinks it is only Australia and New Zealand that are against military removal of peoples government and military rule and not the MSG group, he is WRONG.
qasex
October 30, 2009 at 6:11 am
I wonder which one of his advisors came up with this bright idea. A party where nobody came!!!
fatso8
October 30, 2009 at 3:49 pm
OK fellas, ridicule what Frank is doing.
Let me tell you, Pacific island people know exactly what Australia and New Zealand’s real motives in the Pacific are. There is a brotherhood that exists within the people of the Pacific that cannot easily be broken but can be easily united.
Pacific island leaders cannot forget easily that one of the Pacific’s brightest leader had the foresight to create the Pacific Island forum. He is that Fijian statesman Rt Mara.
By now, with the exception of the Samoan sellouts, other Pacific island will one day stand with Frank to fight for their sovereignty. That day will come to pass.
I say, ridicule Frank as much as you want. There are somethings that can never be bought with money. So Australia and New Zealand, spend as much money as you like. Pacific brotherhood cannot be bought with all you millions.
Men don’t live on bread alone – Holy Bible.
TheMax
October 30, 2009 at 10:22 pm