Australian Prime Minister (PM) Kevin Rudd and his New Zealand (NZ) counterpart Helen Clark have arrived in Niue for today's Pacific Islands Forum, aiming to convince the Forum for strong action to be taken against Fiji.
There are now suggestions that NZ and Australia may be looking at a Forum outcome which could include Fiji's expulsion from the Pacific Forum and a push to have other Pacific Island countries imposing travel bans on Fiji.
Clark told NZ reporters that she is already expecting a strong reaction from the Pacific leaders.
“If someone is not prepared to come and be accountable for breaking commitments given to leaders a year ago, that itself speaks volumes. So I expect that there will be a robust outcome from the Forum.”
Australian PM Kevin Rudd said Fiji cannot just trample on democracy and not expect a strong reaction.
“We in the South Pacific, and Pacific Island countries in particular, take democracy seriously. That is why we don’t believe that we can sit idly by while the principles of democracy are shredded.”
Rudd said Bainimarama has made things worse by not attending the Niue Forum.
“It would of being far better for the leader of Fiji to sit down with the leaders of the Pacific island countries and answer for the commitments which have been previously given by Fiji.”
Our reporter Ronal Deo is in Niue waiting for the Forum proper to commence.
“The Pacific ACP leaders meeting will follow the small island states meeting at the Millennium Hall in Alofi, Niue, this morning. Many journalists raised concerns that they were barred from speaking to the Pacific leaders at Alofi airport last night. New Zealand police officers who are assisting Niue police to provide security stopped journalists from getting closer to the leaders. Three planes jetted in to the airport last night. The NZ flight from Auckland had NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark and most of the Pacific Island leaders. Following that was an Australian Aircraft Hercules which brought in about a dozen Australian journalists. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his executives arrived in his private jet. About the Pacific ACP leaders meeting, it is expected that the sugar and fisheries issue will be topping the agenda. The official opening for the 39th Pacific Islands Leaders Forum meeting will be around 1pm Fiji time at the Alofi Green. The new Chair for the Forum will be Niue’s Premier Toke Talagi.”
