THE PRESS SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1980. South Pacific Forum agenda

Press, 12 July 1980, Page 14

THE PRESS SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1980. South Pacific Forum agenda

The recent events in the New Hebrides will almost certainly dominate the meeting of the South Pacific Forum countries which the Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon, is attending in Tarawa, the capital of Kiribati (the former Gilbert Islands) over the next few days. Britain and France could ease the discussions by -affirming that the New Hebrides will become independent on the arranged date of July 30 in spite of the secessionist movement in one of the islands. The Rev. Walter Lini. Chief Minister of the New Hebrides and the Prime Minister-elect, will be at Tarawa and his presence will virtually assure the admission of the New Hebrides as a Forum member even though his country is not yet independent. This will complicate the situation for Father Lini. He threatened to declare independence unilaterally should the date not be observed, but later withdrew the threat. If Britain and France are not reassuring, he may feel the need to make the same threat again. Such a declaration of independence would be the recipe for continuing trouble in the country. The rebellion on Espiritu Santo has not died down. Although the legal experts appointed by the two colonial powers have held talks on the island, they did not see the rebel leader, Mr Jimmy Stevens. The French want some reforms relating to land and it must he hoped that, if these can be arranged, the rebellion will subside. If the South Pacific Forum is not reassured by Britain and France, one unfortunate outcome could be that the smaller Pacific countries will become hostile to these two countries. Both Britain and France are considerable donors of aid to the area and it would not be in the interests of any of the Pacific countries if a breach occurred. Britain is likely to. remain a substantial giver of aid in spite of shedding its dependencies. France is likely to remain a power in the Pacific for a long time, because of its relations with New Caledonia and Tahiti. France has a strong motive for seeking to remain on good terms with the Pacific countries.

Another' of the subjects which will be aired at the Forum meeting is the relationship among the various regional organisations. The Forum includes only countries of the South Pacific: the South Pacific Conference includes the United States, Britain, and France as well. Because the smaller Forum countries are going to depend on aid for a long time, possibly forever, it is important that other countries can be associated with them. West Germany and Japan have become donors to the Pacific as well.

Which of the regional organisations can best provide for the aspirations and needs of the Pacific countries? Which organisation is best fitted to deal with specific problems? Almost certainly some work is being duplicated.

These questions and others need discussing and resolving to make an adequate use of the resources available in the Pacific. The vastness of the Pacific, the difficulties of transport and other communications, the poverty of some of the States, the decisions about fish, and the movement of people, are all part of the background to the discussions at Tarawa.

One of the continuing problems faced by the islanders has been that of access to the markets of‘New Zealand and Australia for agricultural produce and other goods. Without such access the islands must y generally remain unable to help themselves. A new trade agreement is under consideration. Known as SPARTACA (South Pacific Regional Trade Access Agreement) it provides access to New Zealand and Australia without giving New Zealand and Australia access to the markets of the smaller South Pacific countries in return. Although exactly what has been agreed is not yet known publicly, the lists of goods are believed to be much greater than in the past. Agreements on access will be of concern to some growers or manufacturers in New Zealand. However, the granting of such access is one of the responsibilities New Zealand has towards the smaller Pacific countries.