‘Let’s get together,' says Somare

The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Mr Somare, has called for the development of a Pacific consciousness.

Mr Somare was speaking at a welcoming function for the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, and the Leader of the New Zealand Opposition, Mr Bill Rowling, guests at PNG’s Independence Day celebrations Mr Somare said nations had shared the Pacific for years, but without developing the sort of ties which linked them as regional partners. He believed that unless the countries now set out to foster a Pacific consciousness, there could be dangerous consequences.

One of the consequences would be the intrusion of other countries who would be prepared to get what they could from the Pacific, but without having the in terests of the Pacific at heart.

“I am concerned because I believe that unless this Pacific consciousness develops, we will see others from outside whose first interest cannot be our region enter the picture,” he said.

Mr Somare said that one of the heaviest responsibilities rested on the larger developed nations. When these nations made decisions in a Pacific context thev should not merely think of themselves and their alliances, but of the effect of the decisions on the smaller Pacific nations.

He believed this was one of the best ways in which the smaller nations would be encouraged to broaden their horizons. He also believed that, unless the Pacific nations supported each other on current and future issues, mutual hope would be ZIZ ?T n . g 'T Une to divisi *f ideo,0 B ies - A Pacific consciousness could provide a voice of commonsense to world affairs.