Mixed Reactions to Fiji's Suspension from Forum

Click on map to enlarge. MH Marshall Is., FM Fed.States of Melanesia, PW Palau, NR Nauru. Lighter shading associate members New Caledonia and French Polynesia.

(-) Niue. Niue Premier and Forum Chairperson, Hon. Toke Talagi, in announcing Fiji's suspension and full participation in the Forum on May 2nd, did so "with considerable sorrow and disappointment" adding that the decision was difficult but unanimously decided by Forum leaders in Port Moresby on 27 January." It is," he said, also "particularly timely given the recent disturbing deterioration of the political, legal and human rights situation in Fiji since 10 April 2009.” [This, presumably, was his own opinion, not an official statement by the Forum.]

(-) Australia. PM Kevin Rudd said "Australia's position is hard line." Fiji could also be suspended from the 53-member Commonwealth group by September if Bainimarama does not make progress towards democracy.

(-) PNG. PM Sir Michael Somare said he had worked to keep fellow Melanesian nation Fiji involved with the Forum, but had lost patience with Bainimarama's regime.

(+) Kiribati. The PM had earlier spoken of the need for more dialogue with Fiji (without Australia and NZ.)

(o+) Solomon Islands. PM Dr Derek Sikua says his government wrote to the Chair of the Forum, Toke Talagi, seeking a postponement of any action against Fiji, pending further reflection by Forum leaders (Radio NZ). "New developments in Fiji did not form the body of information that was available to the forum leaders at their Port Moresby deliberations" Sikua (ABC).

(+) Cook Islands. The Deputy PM Sir Terepai Moate said "talks should be pursued."

(+) Tuvalu. The ABC reports that in Tuvalu, its support of the suspension has proved unpopular there, and the government is keen to see the Forum soften its stance on Fiji.

(+) Fiji. Fiji Trades Union Congress president Daniel Urai has blamed Australia and New Zealand’s ‘bullying tactics’ as the driving force behind Fiji’s suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum.Urai said “smaller island countries have always been bullied by countries like Australia and New Zealand and because of their cheque book diplomacy with these island states, they always have a louder voice in the Forum.” He said the two regional powers have influenced the Forum to keep Fiji out.“Smaller island countries trading with Fiji may be the only ones affected by this suspension.” Urai said Fiji has always been regarded by other pacific island countries as a “big brother”, especially when most of the regional organizations are based here.“The Forum Secretariat for one, is based in Suva, the South Pacific Commission and the main campus of the University of the South Pacific to name a few.”

(o) Invitation from SPC. Despite Fiji’s suspension, Fiji has been invited to chair a ministerial meeting on maritime transport in Nuku'alofa,Tonga, on 14 May, funded by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. Works and Transport Ministry spokeswoman Sainiana Waqainabete said, the invitation indicates "how important Fiji is to the region, despite its suspension from the Pacific Island Leaders Forum, the SPC is going ahead with Fiji being involved." She added that the invitation further indicated the commitment by Pacific Island Countries in continuing to engage Fiji in regional affairs.

(-) Samoa. PM Tuilaepa Sailele says "We weren't pushed (by Australia and NZ). We supported it. Fiji needs to stop implying that this is all about Australia and New Zealand and accept we don't want them either," Tuilaepa told AAP on Tuesday."We are sick of the arrogant bullshit they are giving out". Discussions are now underway over whether the Forum's Suva headquarters need to be relocated, with several Australian and New Zealand politicians arguing it is untenable for it to remain.

(+) Tonga. PM Dr Feleti Sevele said we should "engage and maintain an ongoing dialogue."

(-) New Zealand. PM John Key has backtracked on his earlier comment ("This is a free country") that a Maori Party delegation could go to Fiji. But TVNZ reports that a delegation could still go ahead, possibly accompanied by Green Party representatives.

(o-) Maori Party MP Hone Harawira said on tonight's TV1 that the situation was a "stalemate that someone needs to break." He did not support Bainimarama's actions but said "If you've got a relative who's not feeling well, you go and see him."

(o+) Australia. The Director of the Myer Foundation Melanesia Program at the Sydney based think-tank, the Lowy Institute, believes American Samoa's Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin makes some valid points in criticising Australia and New Zealand's treatment of Fiji. Jenny Hayward-Jones believes suspending Fiji from the Pacific Islands Forum for its failure so far to move closer to restoring democratic rule is unhelpful. Click here for her very important comments on the suspension and Australia's role in the Pacific.
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Breaking News. Anti-Government bloggers FijiCoup2006 and Raw Fiji News (see links, left column) have written to President Iloilo protesting about what they describe as the "escalation" of human rights abuses.