The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands has today confirmed that the Solomon Islands government was never against the plan for Fiji's Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to chair the planned Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting in Fiji this week.
Doctor Derek Sikua who has arrived in Fiji to attend the Engaging in the Pacific meeting despite being in the middle of his election campaign, said he had also written to the outgoing MSG Chair, Edward Natapei about the issue.
Doctor Sikua said Natapei made the decision after consulting some lawyers.
The Solomon Islands Prime Minister also expects a MSG Leaders Summit to be held soon to resolve the issue on who is the MSG Chair after May 30th this year.
Natapei had issued a brief statement yesterday saying his decision was made in agreement with the leaders of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the FLNKS of New Caledonia.
Natapei said he had consulted with the MSG leaders on whether a non elected leader should chair the 2010 Summit of Leaders.
Meanwhile Fiji's Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has questioned whether the Chairmanship of the MSG remains with the Prime Minister of Vanuatu Edward Natapei as the time frame for his tenure has now lapsed.
Following Natapei's statement on his decision to cancel the MSG summit, Ratu Inoke said since Vanuatu had raised in their initial letter to the Fiji Government, the legality of Fiji chairing the MSG meetings, perhaps it is now time to question whether the MSG Chairmanship still legally remains with Vanuatu.
He said this is because the two year timeframe of Vanuatu's tenure lapsed on 30th May 2010, going by the strict interpretation of the Agreement Establishing the MSG.
Ratu Inoke stressed that the future of the MSG is at stake and it is now time for setting aside personal agendas and coming together for the collective good of the Region.
He said it was with this objective that Fiji was convening the "Engaging with the Pacific" Meetings where the Pacific Leaders would have an opportunity to dialogue, resolve differences and identify solutions for the good of the Region through the "Pacific Way".
Meanwhile, Ratu Inoke said they are unable to reconcile the claim that Natapei had consulted and obtained support of his fellow MSG Colleagues, prior to deferring the MSG Summit, when both the Prime Minister of PNG, Sir Michael Somare and the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Dr. Derek Sikua, gave their support in writing for Fiji to Chair the 2010 MSG meetings as hosts, in line with the traditions and practices of the MSG.
Meanwhile Fiji's Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has questioned whether the Chairmanship of the MSG remains with the Prime Minister of Vanuatu Edward Natapei as the time frame for his tenure has now lapsed.
Following Natapei's statement on his decision to cancel the MSG summit, Ratu Inoke said since Vanuatu had raised in their initial letter to the Fiji Government, the legality of Fiji chairing the MSG meetings, perhaps it is now time to question whether the MSG Chairmanship still legally remains with Vanuatu.
He said this is because the two year timeframe of Vanuatu's tenure lapsed on 30th May 2010, going by the strict interpretation of the Agreement Establishing the MSG.
Ratu Inoke stresses that the future of the MSG is at stake and it is now time for setting aside personal agendas and coming together for the collective good of the Region.
He said it was with this objective that Fiji was convening the "Engaging with the Pacific" Meetings where the Pacific Leaders would have an opportunity to dialogue, resolve differences and identify solutions for the good of the Region through the "Pacific Way".
Story by: Vijay Narayan/Dreu Vukailagi/Roneel Lal
