Optimism high as Forum delegates meet at Honiara

Press, 9 July 1979, Page 1

Optimism high as Forum delegates meet at Honiara

From

CEDRIC MENTIPLAY

Determination to revise and expand the aims of the South Pacific Forum, rather than allow it to run down, pervades delegates assembling at Honiara for the Forum’s tenth conference.

Several Heads of Government have declared their dedication to Forum ideals, and to the peaceful coexistence of small nations in the Pacific. The first to do so was the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) who, speaking at the opening of New Zealand’s spacious High Commission office at Honiara, said that New Zealand’s view of the prime importance of South Pacific relations had not changed. It was an assurance of this that the new offices were ready on the first anniversary of Solomons independence, he said. Problems which appeared at the previous meeting at Niue last year still exist. Discussions were held at the week-end on the future role of the South Pacific Bureau for Economic Cooperation (S.P.E.C.), and particularly its relationship with the South Pacific Commission, in which the older group of oncegoverning nations has a majority. Some delegates hold strong views on the proliferation of big consultative bodies, and believe that small regional committees might be able to move more quickly. It is emphasised, however, that the developmental funds

contributed by the older nations have' a valuable part in planned development. An element in the Forum, however, is outspoken about the apparent reluctance of France and the United States to help towards nationhood the islands under their control. The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (Mr Somare) has been outspoken about the French, and the divisive effect of the nuclear tests in French territory. However, at social events before the conference, the main effort has been to emphasise achievement, including the positive aspects of S.P.E.C.’s work and the establishment of the Forum Fisheries Agency. These concrete expressions of Forum solidarity give hope that the financial and other troubles of the Forum Shipping Line will diminish, and that some light will appear in the present confusion over national airlines. Mr Muldoon said yesterday that he did not believe much of the sting has been taken from the conference by the non-attendance of four of the 12 leaders concerned. Those who will be absent are the Prime Ministers of Western Samoa

(Tupuola Efi), Papua New Guinea (Mr Somare), Fiji (Ratu Mara), and Australia (Mr Fraser). "I do not attach any significance to this,” Mt Muldoon said. "Mr Somare is sick, Mr Fraser has a Budget to bring down, and other things to do before the Heads of Government conference in Lusaka, Tupuola Efi has a complicated political problem on his hands, and Ratu Mara has leave of absence for health reasons. But eight of us are here, and the others are al! represented. Of course the forum will go on.” New Zealand’s presence "at the party” was connected with the coming arrival of two Germanbuilt roll-on freighters for the Forum Line, support on commercial undertakings, and help in principle for the Forum fisheries venture.

Of the Forum Line, Mr Muldoon said: "It has lost more than we expected, but probably because it used unsuitable ships.”

Of the fisheries venture, he was not as sanguine as other delegates, but said: "Some things are still to be resolved, but I am sure it will all come right.”