The Russian bait

has a double hook

Much has been said about foreign relations with some of our Pacific island neighbours such as Vanuatu and Kiribati.

The admission of countries such as Russia, Cuba and Libya to our neighbours may prompt one to ask: What is going on?

Have our brothers forgotten the motherly care given them by their allies over the years?

Have they forgotten what is going on Afghanistan? Have they forgotten that when the Russians come fishing the bait has a double hook?

Russia isn’t the only country interested in buying their fish.

There are more suitable and friendly potential trading part ners.

We have seen that Kiribati’s fishing agreement with Russia has already ended. This is a good example that should

guide us all in the future when making contact with foreign countries with a view to busi ness.

We have also read recently that Russia claims some rights in the Pacific. This announce ment was made well before another announcement of a missile test series in the region.

And where were the Russians in the Pacific during World War Two?

How can they claim rights when they did not defend Tara wa, Solomon Islands and other mini-states helped by the allies and, of course, the United States?

Even our small Fiji helped in this but, again, where was Russia?

He was and is there, the red bear, watching from his northern Pacific coastline, just

waiting for the chance to cruise down and make love in the South Seas. But his hooks are still sharp and cunningly baited.

I beg my island brothers to stand firm before they become completely undermined.

Semi Goneyali,

Tailevu, Fiji.

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