What the leaders decided

[?]LL TEXT OF THE COMMUNIQUE OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC FORUM'S SUVA MEETING

The President of Nauru, the Prime Ministers New Zealand, Western Samoa and Fiji, the emier of the Cook Islands, the Australian mister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister Lands of Tonga met in Suva from September to 14 for the third meeting of the South cific Forum.

This meeting, the first to be held in the ands, was welcomed by participants as re ctmg the acceptance of the Forum as a per cent regional institution. It was also appro ve th *f the meeting should be held in the pital of one of its Island members where the reau for Economic Co-operation is to be ated. at the first two meetings in Wellington d Canberra, discussion centred on matters of mediate and practical concern. The measures ich were considered were directed towards ! social and economic well-being of the jples of the member countries, with especial phasis on ways and means of developinq itual trade. ¥ 3 r nlcnpT.« H .. PA £ ,FIC BUREAU FOR ECONOMIC ■OPERATION: The Forum decided to conclude soon as possible an agreement for the ablishment of a South Pacific Bureau for momic Co-operation and approved the terms a draft text which they initialled. They lertook to recommend its adoption to their lernments. fhe Forum confirmed the appointment of the i Mahe Tupouniua, Minister of Finance in iga, as Director and appointed Mr K W dmgton formerly Head of the Economic is'on of the New Zealand Ministry of eign Affairs, to be Deputy Director. They “f starting wor k in Suva in November.

Membership Of Forum And Fcureau: While

loldmg the principle that membership of the urn should be restricted to decision-makers m independent or self-governing countries mbers wished to find a way in which a ntry such as Papua New Guinea, which t 0 become self-governing by the end 1973, and which has expressed a genuine :rest in becoming a member of the Forum be associated with it at an earlier date, he Forum considered that it would be in ropnate to establish different types of nbership in either the Forum or the bureau spectiye members could be invited to attend meetings as observers in the period im

mediately prior to achieving self-government.

It noted the request made by Mr Michael Somare, Chief Minister of Papua New Guinea, forwarded to Fiji, the host government, raising the question of attendance at the Forum. The Forum decided to invite Papua New Guinea to attend future Forum meetings as an observer until such time as it met the criterion for full membership at self-government or independence.

Membership of the bureau need not be re stricted to members of the Forum, providing that_ the Forum itself decides to approve an application from a non-member. The services of the bureau should, however, be available to territories in the region who are not members whether or not they contribute financially.

Trade And Economic Co-Operation: The

Forum considered how regional co-operation in trade and economic matters might be strengthened and discussed the possibility of arrangements among Forum members to facili tate trade and economic development.

It is appropriate that the co-operation of the Forum countries should have culminated in the formation of the Bureau of Economic Co operation at a time when the enlargement of the EEC has made changes necessary in the trading patterns of Forum countries.

The options available to certain Island mem bers of the Forum in regard to their future relations with the enlarged EEC were discussed.

Members recognised that it would be necessary to weigh up carefully the respective advantages and disadvantages of those options bearing in mind possible regional arrangements in the longer term.

Ways must be found to strengthen the economies of Island members of the Forum by extending the production and processing industries. In particular, special consideration should be given to: the development of further processing of primary products; the rationalisa tion of import substitution industries, and the establishment of export-oriented manufac turing industries.

The Forum decided that the Bureau for Economic Co-operation should be asked to carry out a commodity by commodity and an industry by industry study to identify where and in what manner development might take place.

This study will examine exports by Island mem bers within the region and look at export possibilities beyond the South Pacific. It will

Forum communique

take into account quarantine and commercial regulations besides tariffs.

The bureau is also asked to report on thti factors which need to be taken into account in deciding whether and on what condition:!

Fiji, Tonga and Western Samoa should seel associate status with the EEC.

Forum members acknowledged the need til make the maximum use of existing opportunities such as those available under the GeneraE Scheme of Preferences for developing countries; Australia and New Zealand expressed theii willingness to work closely with Island menr bers and the bureau in finding solutions to thu many important trade and economic matter which they must now face. This could includl such assistance as: co-operation in assisting faii commercial access to each other's markets foe agreed commodities; facilitation of investment] and encouragement of joint ventures in indus tries using Islands' raw materials; encourage* ment of co-operation in consultancy services, iii design and construction projects including joiir ventures with a maximum practicable use oo Island resources and supporting the negotiation of international agreements to improve thr conditions of trade in primary products.

The Forum discussion highlighted the fao that no single or simple action is likely tl solve trade problems. There must be con tinuing action over a wide range of activities if the Islands are to expand and diversify thei: trade in the region and in wider world market:- NUCLEAR TESTING: The question of nudes weapons tests was extensively discussed in thri light of the series of tests recently conclude: by France.

Members were unanimous in expressing thei: deep concern that the French Government shoull have failed so signally to accord recognitioc to the wishes of the peoples of the Soutl Pacific area despite the views so clearly in dicated by both governments and peoples. ThH fact that radioactive fallout from this year 1series was low because of the nature of tbi test explosions carried out did not lessen thei; opposition, which would remain unaltered untl such time as a firm assurance was given ths the South Pacific would not be used as a sitf for further experimentation of this kind witf its resulting implications for man and his er vironment, and in particular the marine environ ment.

Members exchanged views as to the way and means by which they could pursue thei; common objectives of bringing to an end at nuclear weapons tests in all environments b any country. The Prime Minister of New Zealam and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Au;» tralia informed the meeting of the steps beim taken by the two governments to invite Pacifr member states of the United Nations sjmilarl concerned about this matter to meet in Nc; York during the early stage of the forthcom ing session of the General Assembly, and out lined the approach which they intended t adopt. The warm support of other Foruu members was voiced for this initiative.

LAW OF THE SEA: The Forum discussed number of issues concerning the law of thi sea including the breadth of the territorial se; the question of resources' jurisdiction over wider area of sea and of the sea-bed, a specie! regime for archipelago states and rights o passage through waters subject to the jurisdm tion of coastal states. They agreed that then; was a large area of common interest amom members of the Forum and that there shoul continue to be close consultation among thei; in relation to the prospective conference on tm Law of the Sea.

Members of the Forum recognised Tongas historical association with the Minerva Reerf welcomed the Tongan Government's contmuim interest in the area and agreed that then; could be no question of recognising other

lims, and specifically that of the Ocean Life search Foundation, to sovereignty over the jfs.

University Of The South Pacific: The

rum agreed that, because they contribute University of the South Pacific finances, lional representation on the 1972 University laries Committee should be increased to four that members can be appointed from Tonga Fiji and Samoa.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS; The Forum noted i the British Solomon Islands in addition it the UNDP has recruited two experts to dy telecommunications improvements and t their reports will be considered at a hmcal meeting in 1972.

Regional Development Bank: The Forum

k the opportunity to discuss the report of UNDP visiting mission which has recom piled the establishment of a regional de opment bank which will be an item on the nda of the forthcoming South Pacific Con duce in Apia. he Forum considered a paper reporting the Jits of a recent seminar on shipping held Western Samoa. Members discussed the sibility of a regional shipping line, inflation increases in freight rates, the need to im ve present services, and a number of *i!j eS i. a * e trade of the region which uld be taken into account in deciding what I of shipping services are required, he Forum commissioned the bureau to y out further studies into the financial and rational structure of a regional shipping An important objective of the study would to determine the extent to which such a would be economically viable and to make mmendations on ways and means of evmg this aim. The Forum noted the sug ion that Australia might be able to assist Ihe study to be made by the bureau It pted with appreciation Australia's offer to whatever it could to assist.

Emographic Problems: The Forum Re

'ed the case and effect of population prob , particularly those arising from education supported an approach to UNESCO to sms not adapted to contemporary needs, mse a conference, in conjunction with the h Pacific Commission, to consider popula problems, urbanisation and resettlement in Pacific region. )URISM: The Forum discussed the effects of ism in the region and supported a proposal, be discussed at the South Pacific Con ice in Apia, that UNESCO might be asked indertake a study of tourism in the South Pic with particular reference to its impact he way of life of the islands. :XT MEETING: Members gratefully accepted invitation of the Prime Minister of Western )a to hold the next meeting of the Forum ,a before the 1973 South Pacific Con ice.