A Need to Discuss

AS FIJI’S internal problems continue to occupy news editors and commentators throughout the Pacific, attention has focused on allegations of an Ameri can role in the toppling of Dr Timoci Bavadra’s demo cratically elected Government.

Pacific Islands Monthly has been accused by the US ambassador to Australia, Mr William Love Jr, of sup porting such a view. We reject this. For the record, Pacific Islands Monthly does not accept that America had a role in the Fiji coups. On the other hand, neither does it see its role as being a mouthpiece for any government or ide ology. Instead, this magazine is a forum for Pacific affairs; our belief is that a healthier, more politically mature Pa cific depends on the free exchange of ideas and opinions, stimulated by discussion. To this end we reserve the right to publish a variety of points of view in Forum.

On page 40 of this issue, Richard Teare of the United States Embassy in Canberra responds to our October Forum piece by Joann Wypijewski. We welcome his re buttal. It is through such discussion that Pacific Islands Monthly fulfils its role as the “the voice of the Pacific”. □