Fiji baffled by Natapei reasoning

The Fiji government said it cannot make sense of claims by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu Edward Natapei on the reasons being given for the deferment of the MSG Plus meeting which was to be hosted by Fiji.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said they are disappointed with Natapei's statement and they are particularly concerned at what could be deemed as inaccuracies and misrepresentation of facts, surrounding the deferment of the 2010 MSG Summit.

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.

He said after Natapei deferred the MSG through his Press Release of 10th July, the Fiji Government was copied a second letter written by the Prime Minister of PNG to Natapei dated 13th July 2010, disagreeing with and disputing Natapei's decision to defer the 2010 MSG Summit and terming his actions as "un-Melanesian".

The Fiji Government has also consulted the Solomon Islands High Commission in Suva, who have categorically stated that Solomon Islands was not a party to the decision taken by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu to defer the 2010 MSG Summit.

Ratu Inoke stated that he found Natapei's claims that his actions had the blessings of other MSG Members as baffling, especially, since both the Prime Minister of PNG and the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands have shown their solidarity and support for Fiji by accepting the invitation to the "Engaging with the Pacific" meeting scheduled later this week.
 

Fiji's Foreign Minister also said Natapei's claims that he has acted without the influence or the interference by the Australian Government is moot, in light of the fact that the Australian Foreign Minister has admitted to lobbying against the convening of the 2010 MSG meetings in Fiji.

However, despite Natapei's decision to defer the MSG Plus, there is now confirmation that Vanuatu's Foreign Minister will be attending the Engaging with the Pacific meeting in Natadola later this week.



Story by: Roneel Lal