Pacific nations seek stability

Political turmoil has sent shockwaves through the region

By Phil Mercer

Members of the South Pacific Forum are due to meet in Kiribati this weekend to discuss ways of preventing further political instability in the region.

In response to coups in Fiji and the Solomon Islands this year, Australia is expected to urge the 16-nation forum to take a tougher stance on countries which move away from democratic principles.

John Howard believes the forum should become more pro-active

Sanctions, ministerial action groups and the offer of mediation services are among the options to be considered this weekend.

If the forum agrees to the Australian proposals, it would mark a fundamental change of direction for the organisation, by allowing itself greater involvement in the internal affairs of member countries.

More responsibility

Attending the summit for the first time in three years, Australian Prime Minister John Howard wants the forum to take more diplomatic and political responsibility for the whole region.

Fiji will be represented by the interim prime minister, Laisenia Qarese, appointed by the military after the country's democratically elected government was hijacked and held hostage for eight weeks earlier this year by nationalist rebels.

Laisenia Qarese says he will restore democracy within two years

The country's multi-racial constitution has been abandoned, and its replacement promises to discriminate against the country's ethnic Indian minority.

Mr Qarese, had earlier dispatched his deputy to several Pacific neighbours to establish how Fiji and his government would be received at the forum before agreeing to attend.

Regional issues

Delegates will also discuss the situation in West Papua. The Indonesian province has been unsettled by demands for independence.

Also on the agenda will be the effect of global warming on the region's vast expanses of coral and the consequences for fishing and tourism.

The forum gets a new name this weekend too - becoming the Pacific Islands Forum, on account of the greater involvement of northern Pacific countries.