Sanctions and Fiji’s suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum is only isolating Australia and is not really solving the issue.
A new report published by the Australian Strategic Policies Institute has recommended that the relationship between Australia and Fiji needs to be addressed at the highest level.
It says this should not be done by pre-conditional demands or through intermediaries.
One of its authors, Doctor Richard Herr has told Pacific Beat that the Forum being used as a “Policeman” is not helping.
The report states that at a minimum, the regional sanctions against Fiji must be lifted to re-engage Australia and Fiji through the Pacific Islands Forum.
The review of how Australia is engaging in the South Pacific has also called for sweeping changes in how its government does, and has warned Australia is in danger of losing the support of its biggest ally, the US, in relation to dealing with island nations.
Some of the recommendations in the Australian Strategic Policies Institute report for the Australian Government is reviewing security arrangements in the region including involving China in its activities, putting in place a permanent migration scheme with neighbouring island nations, removing its reliance on the Pacific Plan, and also re engaging with Fiji.
The report states that Fiji is the heart of the Pacific islands regional system and the region cannot survive without its heart.
It says that not only is Fiji the principle transportation and communications hub for the Pacific, it is the diplomatic centre as well.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Sanctions not solving the issue
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