[pima.nius] Re: PR: Fiji Rejects Forum Outcomes

I wonder what Fiji's options are in closer economic relations with nations such as New Caledonia, Tahiti, Hawaii (US - Guam, the Marshalls and mainland US), Vanuatu, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Philipines, Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Russia and South American partners such as Chile??

If the Pacific Forum Leaders are cutting it out of PACER Plus negotiations - and these are being fast tracked way ahead of schedule - then how does Fiji sit with other economic partners?

Is there a possibility of an economic sub-group of the Melanesian countries (MSG) or what about an alliance with the French and US Pacific?
Does Fiji need Australia and New Zealand as much as they think?

Is the fragmentation of the Pacific economic block really a good idea?

What ever happened to those dreams of having a united Pacific economic union (and even a Pacific currency)??
I seem to remember something written awhile back from the forum. It talked about "Four Pillars" for development in the Pacific  - wasn't one of those "Regionalism"   ????? 

Now, is the forum going against its own founding documents and the basis of "the Pacific Way" (it is supposed to be founded on) in its attempts to cripple one of its members and fragment the Pacific economic environment??

Is this divide and conquer?? Give with one hand and take away with the other...

 

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 6:30 PM, PIMA NIUS ROUTER <pimaniusrouter@gmail.com> wrote:

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION

MEDIA RELEASE

HEADLINE:
STATEMENT ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE FORTIETH PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM REGARDING FIJI'S PARTICIPATION IN PACER PLUS NEGOTIATIONS

News in brief:

(FRIDAY AUGUST 7TH 2009,No:1537/PMO) STATEMENT ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE FORTIETH PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM REGARDING FIJI'S PARTICIPATION IN PACER PLUS NEGOTIATIONS

Fiji rejects the outcomes of the 40th Pacific Islands Forum meeting, in particular the Forum Leaders decision with regards to Fiji and its involvement in PACER Plus negotiations and other regional trade related meetings. The Pacific Island Leaders in making their decisions have again transgressed Fiji's rights under the various treaties it is a State Party to. These include, the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER), the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) and the Cotonou Agreement. The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have also ignored Fiji's invocation of Consultations under the PACER and the PICTA, demonstrating "bad faith" and a brazen disregard for international law.
 
The Forum Leader's Communiqué states that Fiji will not participate in the PACER Plus negotiations". Instead, Forum Leaders have agreed to a mechanism of engagement with Fiji whereby "Fiji officials will be briefed in Suva following each negotiating meeting by a representative from the meeting, with the representative also able to convey back to the next meeting any views from Fiji".
 
With these conditions, the Pacific Islands Forum has made it impossible for Fiji to effectively defend the interests of the people of Fiji under the trade agreements Fiji is a party to, in particular, under the PACER and the PICTA. These decisions have left Fiji little choice but to seriously consider its future status under these treaties. The deliberate disregard for Fiji's rights as State Parties to both PICTA and PACER has regrettably forced us to consider withdrawing completely from these arrangements.
 
The Forum Leaders decisions are void of any reasoning or consideration of the "Pacific Way" that they purport to champion. The Leaders also contradict themselves by claiming to ensure ongoing momentum of greater regional cooperation and integration under the 'Pacific Plan' and at the same time disenfranchising a Forum member from the region and violating its rights
 
The Fiji Government on the other hand remains committed to the process of regional economic integration, however, it will not stand by passively whilst important decisions are undertaken in its absence, which will affect the future and well being of all Fiji people.
 
The Pacific Islands Forum must take full responsibility for the further marginalization not only of Fiji, but of Pacific Island Countries as a whole, and the failure of the institution in strengthening regional cooperation and integration amongst all of its members.
To view the latest Decrees, log on to http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/decrees.shtml

 

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