Govt accuse Forum Secretary General

The government has accused the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Tuiloma Slade of poor leadership and practicing double standards in relation to Fiji.

Newly appointed Minister for Foreign Affiars, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said the double standards exemplified by the Forum Secretariat in selectively inviting Fiji, as and when it suits them, are a poor reflection of the secretariat's leadership.

Kubuabola said as an institution established to strengthen regional cooperation and integration among state parties, it is sad to note that it is not only marginalizing its own members but  fragmenting the very fabric in which the institution was built upon.

Fiji's Foreign Minister then goes on to say this may be being done due to the style of the leadership of the secretariat.

Kubuabola said the secretariat's lack of action on Fiji's request on the invocation of consultations under Article 15 of PACER is also deafening.

Kubuabola said it is inconceivable that the Forum Secretary General continues to overlook and disregard Fiji's position and responses on the decision to suspend Fiji from the Forum's economic cooperation activities in relation to PICTA, PACER and PACER PLUS discussions.   

The Pacific Network on Globalisation or PANG has accused the Australian government of deceit as it promotes a proposed new trade deal.

Negotiations on PACER Plus may get the green light at this week's Pacific Islands Leaders Forum in Cairns but there is anger that Fiji could be excluded from the discussions.

Australian Trade Minister, Simon Crean claims the negotiations can proceed without Fiji because PACER Plus is not related to the earlier PACER deal made exclusively by the island countries.

Crean claims it was a completely separate agreement.

But Law Professor, Jane Calsey, speaking for PANG, said all the previous discussions on PACER Plus including as recently as last month have been under the umbrella of the PACER deal.