PORT VILA: The prime ministers of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Australia and Tuvalu were a no show at the region’s biggest leaders’ meeting held this week in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Except for Australian PM Julia Gillard, this follows their attendance at the “Engaging Fiji” forum hosted by regime leader Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama in Natadola, Fiji, last week.
Fiji remains suspended from the Pacific Forum.
Papua New Guinea’s Physical Planning and District Development Minister Paul Tiensten said today that the PM’s absence was due to internal crises involving Parliament.
“My prime minister could not make it simply because he’s got some pressing domestic issues that he needs to attend to.
“He is taking the time to go to various provinces explaining why parliament had to be adjourned,” he told media.
PNG’s government put parliamentary proceedings on hold for three months on July 21, before its opposition could attempt a vote of no confidence against Sir Michael Somare.
On Monday, angry youths took to the streets in Kainantu, threatening to “take the law into [their] own hands” if Somare and Parliament Speaker Jeffrey Nape did not step down by the end of the week.
Meanwhile, elections are underway today in the Solomons, while PM Gillard is on her campaign trail in preparation for elections on August 21.
At the forum’s opening ceremony, Vanuatu PM Edward Natapei wished Solomon Island voters well, while calling for leaders to “remain engaged” with Fiji in working to restore democracy to the nation.
PNG cabinet minister Tiensten later told the media that Fiji was “part of the family” – his country had not changed its position in helping the suspended nation.
But New Zealand Foreign Affairs minister Murray McCully said yesterday Fiji would have to return the favour.
“Reciprocity is important. I think the region has attempted to hold out the hand of friendship and that hasn’t been reciprocated,” he said.
Josephine Latu
