[East Timor a future MSG candidtate]

[Lionel Warimavute]

Interesting Pacific News….

 

 

 

MELANESIAN BLOCK ENDORSES BAINIMARAMA RULE

PNG, Vanuatu, Solomons embrace Fiji military ruler

 

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, April 1, 2011) – Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands have endorsed Commodore Frank Bainimarama's rule of Fiji and his plans for the nation. The Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders describe the Fiji interin Prime Minister's roadmap back to democracy for late 2014 as credible. A meeting of the group's leaders and foreign ministers wrapped up on Thursday in Suva. Its position on Commodore Banimarama's regime is at odds with earlier calls for an earlier return to democracy in Fiji. [PIR editor’s note: In a recent interview with Richard Marles, Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Radio Australia reports Marles as saying, “Melanesian solidarity is clearly a key issue, but I think it's important to remember that when Fiji has in place public emergency regulations, which stifle the freedom of speech, it's Melanesians whose freedom of speech is being stifled. When there are abuses of human rights in Fiji, it is Melanesians who are suffering the abuse of human rights and I think Melanesian solidarity, it needs to be seen in that context, and I'm sure it will be and I know in my discussions with all, in fact, governments of countries that are participating in the MSG with the exception of Fiji.”] Commodore Bainimarama will remain chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group for the next two years. The military leader told delegates the Melanesian group has the bulk of the South Pacific Island population, and trade and natural resources - and must have a vision in order to continue to progress as a region. [PIR editor’s note: Radio New Zealand International reports that the Melanesian leaders also endorsed the creation of a common market through the expansion of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Trade Agreement with provisions for trade in services as well as a labor mobility scheme. The leaders have also come out strongly in support of the re-inclusion of Fiji in all regional trade discussions, issuing a broad threat of pushing for a change in European Union negotiations  if Fiji continues to be excluded.]

 

EAST TIMOR FUTURE CANDIDATE FOR MELANESIAN GROUP

Foreign Minister Da Costa says the country will consider idea

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, March 31, 2011) - East Timor could be part of the Melanesian Spearhead Group in the future.Foreign Affairs minister Zacarias Albano Da Costa said his country was “closer” to the MSG and thus its intention to be part of the five nation bloc. “We are grateful for the invitation to attend the meeting and participate as observers,” Mr. Da Costa said. “And we are happy to be part of it.” Da Costa said the people of East Timor were “slaves” before independence and would enjoy their 10 years of independence first before they make a move on becoming part of the MSG. He said he had been able to discuss at length with other foreign ministers, issues that were of importance to the region. “We share common values and we will strengthen our solidarity,” Da Costa said. “We spoke on labour mobility and sharing skills and having an integrated market.” The people of East Timor, he said, have a special place for the MSG as these were the countries that were part of the UN missions in the rebuilding of the country.