Fiji’s entry

Region

MSG welcomes Fiji’s entry

By Sam Vulum

The Trobriand Islands in Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, renowned for their hospitality towards visitors were no better venue for the 10th Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting, held from June 7 to 8.

The islands will long be remembered for not only hosting the 10th MSG anniversary celebrations but the admis-, sion of Fiji as a full member of the group.

Fiji’s acceptance of full membership status, after being an observer over the past three years, was a major highlight of

the meeting.

Fiji’s inclusion brings MSG member ship to five. The other members are PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the Kanak Socialist National Liberation (FLANKS) who represent the indigenous Kanaks of New Caledonia.

Locals performed a special ceremony on behalf of other MSG countries, with the blessing from host and Trobriand Islands paramount chief Daniel Pulayasi.

First, Vanuatu Prime Minister Maxime Carlot Korman was given a spear to thrust into the ground.

Then Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka was called on to dislodge the spear and officially hand it over to PNG Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan as chair man of the group meeting. Fiji was pre sented with special gifts by the locals,

comprising a full-grown pig, yams and

betel nuts.

“With great humility and great joy, I bring the sovereign democratic country of Fiji to the Melanesian Spearhead Group,”

Rabuka said at the conclusion of his inau

gural speech.

The declaration of membership included a commitment to work either “collectively or individually” with other MSG member states.

Rabuka said Fiji shared the principles of close co-operation and unity upon which the MSG was founded and joined the group “with fullness of heart and total dedication”.

He said Fiji’s joining of the group would strengthen the resolve of unity, enlarge technical and economic co-opera tion and have a significant impact on regional and international issues.

Rabuka said he was deeply moved with Fiji’s admission on PNG soil under

the positive approach of Sir Julius.

Welcoming Fiji’s accession to the MSG, Sir Julius said he regarded that as a highlight of the 10th anniversary of MSG.

“Fiji, as the first Melanesian democra cy, will bring the wealth and depth of its experience to our meeting,” Sir Julius said.

He said Fiji’s decision was clear recognition of the constructive role MSG members had played in the region’s affairs.

Among other major issues discussed, the meeting has endorsed three important new initiatives to be pursued collectively by its members.

These include the establishment of a regional stock exchange, development of regional mechanisms for a common approach to weapons control in Melanesia, and implementation of the Melanesian Beyond 2000 strategy.

Vanuatu put forward the proposal for regional stock exchange and PNG initiat ed the Melanesian Beyond 2000 strategy for MSG’s second decade.

PNG also played a leading role in the initiative to form arms control within Melanesia and the region as a whole.

The leaders directed that this matter be discussed further at the June 18-20 meet ing of senior officials of Forum countries on regional security co-operation in Fiji as well as the Majuro pre-Forum senior

officials’ meeting.

The Melanesian Beyond 2000 strategy commits the group to continue consulting and working closely together to, among other things, maintain and strengthen co operation for mutual benefit.

The summit also welcomed an invita tion by Solomon Islands to its national trade and cultural show in July 1996 as a lead-up to the 1998 Melanesian Arts Festival.

The MSG has made some achieve ment in carrying out its objectives over the past 10 years. Among others, in terms of trade, MSG members have seen the expansion of their tradeable products from three to more than 140 over the past three years.

This was revealed by senior MSG trade and economic officials in a meeting in Port Moresby, a weekend before the Losuia meeting. Fiji has agreed to host next year’s MSG summit. ■