New Zealand and Australia need to let Pacific countries deal with their own problems.
These are the sentiments of Kiribati President Anote Tong during an interview with TV NZ after reports have surfaced that there is a growing dissent at the Pacific Islands Forum in Vanuatu on how to deal with Fiji who remains suspended from the forum.
According to the report there are now calls for Australia and New Zealand to back off and let island nations negotiate with their neighbour.
Tong said he is not alone in thinking more progress will be made with Fiji if New Zealand and Australia are not part of it.
Speaking on the ABC's Foreign Correspondence program with Philipa McDonald, Fiji's Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama believes that Australia and New Zealand do not belong in the forum.
However New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said New Zealand has always played a leadership role in the Pacific and we are going to continue to do that.
Key now said the forum is united and welcomes Pacific countries talking with Fiji.
The Pacific Islands Leaders Forum continues in Vanuatu with the Leaders Retreat today.
Story by: Ana Naisoro
