Between The Lines For Tuiloma

Written by Pio Sioa
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Our man Tuiloma Neroni Slade has a real challenge on his hands, there is no doubting that. The Falealili matai (chief) appears to have hit the ground running since Niue, as the new Secretary General of the Pacific Forum. No surprises there! There are issues that needs immediate attention and they have to be attended to quickly. Unfortunately it leaves scarce time for the former World Court judge to celebrate the occasion, or so it seems. Sorry old chappie, but you got a great deal of work to do and the sooner you start the …er…quicker it will ..umm..take. Good luck. So how does one handle Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama’s situation? The platform of support by the island leaders, since the military leader strong armed his way into power, appears to be shifting from under him. PM Tuilaepa and Papua New Guinea’s Michael Somare, are starting to talk tough now. The tune is starting to sound sour for the Commodore and that is not a good sign. In fact it is more than not being a good sign… it is becoming damn worrying. Australia and New Zealand have always sounded the drum of protest against the political situations in Fiji, while the other member countries of the Forum, including Samoa have kept their counsel by remaining silent. Not any more so it appears. Here we have two of the most senior and influential members of the Forum, outside of New Zealand and Australia, critical of the Fijian leader. Tonga’s PM Feleti Savele is also starting to stamp his feet. What next? Where do we go from here Mr. Secretary General ? Here is a possible scenario that could escalate the dour situation in Fiji and force Tuiloma to fast shuffle his influence to avert a regional disaster. The safety and the security of regional students at the University of the South Pacific Suva campus are no longer guaranteed. The political agitation of emotional rhetoric has reached a crescendo where students and staff have to be returned to their respective country’s. What then? The scenario has already been played out before and it left a bitter after taste for everyone. It is doubtful whether the member countries will again wish for a repeat or be exposed again to the future uncertainties of such setbacks looming unchecked. Scenario number two! The impact of international organizations, forced by political uncertainties to pull out and relocate elsewhere in the island region, is already a well know factor. The situation is bound to be a bitter swallow that will sit like an undiluted ball of angry reaction for the Fijians waiting to explode at the slightest provocation. The sense of betrayal for the Fijians is going to fester as they watch as the innocent victims their neighbours take advantage of a slip in their political leadership. Where will all these deep seated emotions leave the peace and serenity of the ‘region of paradise’? The Fijian military leader has to bear the brunt of responsibility. Whatever agenda Bainimarama may have about the political future of Fiji , he has to move quickly and get it done. His island neighbours may sympathise with what he is trying to do, but there are political pressures they too have to respond to. Those pressures are now starting to show up. If PMs Tuilaepa and Somare are starting to speak through clenched teeth, it is quite likely they have been pushed all the way to the corner. PM Tuilaepa is not exactly impressed with Bainimarama making him and others look like fools for Australia and New Zealand to dangle around So while the brotherhood of the island countries is admirable, it all depends on the strength of the bonds that hold them united. Just how those bonds are holding up is interesting to note. This is where Tuiloma and his influence will have to be brought into play…quickly. The new Secretary General is a man who has made a lifetime career of searching for what is just and fair for everyone. He continues that search on a much bigger scale now. Peace and harmony for a region is at stake and he can only do his best. Will that be enough? Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment Name Email Title Comment

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