Page 8 - IB February 2024

Whispers Whispers

Is Tuvalu next? Kamikawa told the media that Japan and into between the parties. But Fiji
Is Australia heading for another major Pacific Islands Forum members had agreed Airways says that deed was “a prudent
embarrassment with Tuvalu in its to recognise the International Atomic and lawful measure taken to protect
geopolitical strategy in the South Energy Agency as an authority on nuclear the company’s interests and ensure
Pacific? There were strong indications in safety and expressed her appreciation a viable payment plan.” It says its
the hours before this edition of Islands for the “science-based discussions” that board of directors made “an informed
Business went to press, that Tuvalu Pacific Island countries have been having business judgment to proceed with
was looking likely to reject the Falepili with Japan and the IAEA. As one among the charter flights” based on Pacific
agreement with Australia. While the many experts watching keenly from the Voyagers previous record. Fiji Airways
January elections still hadn’t resulted sidelines asked, “So, that’s that?” Not says it is in ongoing communication
in a government by the time we went according to one former Pacific Island with the charterer and expects
to press, there were questions in key leader who told this publication, the to receive full payment of the
circles in Australia about why the grand way forward might be to hold Japan outstanding balance of the charter
announcement of the Falepili Union accountable under its obligations via price in the coming weeks. At Mamma
was made at the Pacific Islands Forum certain international treaties. The Mia!, the parties involved were seen
Leaders meeting in December, just question is, why aren’t the top guns at shaking hands and talking briefly,
a month out from Tuvalu’s elections, the Pacific Islands Forum being more before turning their attention to the
and amid uncertainty over whether aggressive? Shy of biting another hand other drama unfolding on stage.
the people of Tuvalu would accept that feeds us?
the agreement. Haste seems to have Too close for comfort
been the order of the day, especially Missing drug exhibits Fiji has had high-level drama of
given the talk after the signing that The curious case of exhibits gone missing every order imaginable, going into
it was Australia that took the treaty from a major drug bust in Fiji has raised 2024. The spiritual kind, with the
idea to Tuvalu, and not the other way a lot of eyebrows and questions. That Israel flight fiasco. Then there was
around – as it was presented at the it’s nothing new, is another matter. a 3.5 tonne methamphetamine drug
signing. It’s now looking as if there There have been several cases in the bust. And the much talked about
wasn’t much of a strategy at all to this last few years where people have been supposed dalliance between two
supposed geostrategic deal. And while arrested, charged and the case dropped very senior public figures. It all,
the official Australian posturing after because the evidence has gone “missing”. apparently, got too much for one of
the flip is that Nauru had indicated its The questions are simple: Who holds their senior staff members, who, in
change in advance, there were clear the evidence? And who holds the keys an aside while speaking at a regional
indications that Nauru was a worry for to those holding rooms? The answers? gathering, went, “and it’s good to
the Australians and that moves were Judging from frequent reoccurrences get away from all THAT!” Sniggers,
afoot to keep Nauru on-side through a to the reluctance to investigate may be winks, and whispers all followed, with
deal similar to the one with Tuvalu. Is because, ahem, it might just be too close the audience erupting in that good-
this going to be a case of losing the bird to home for comfort? natured, “we-know-but-let’s-pretend-
in hand as well as the one in the bush? we-don’t” Pacific laughter. At least
At close quarters this official could let off steam and
Who’s controlling the narrative? Some audience members were watching not do that at her own expense!
Interesting to see the “progression” in more than the talented cast of Mamma
the interactions between Japan and Mia! when the musical premiered in Tertiary rumblings
Pacific Island leaders on the issue of the Suva this month. The VIP section on The rumblings at a certain tertiary
Fukushima nuclear wastewater discharge opening night of Fiji business leaders education institution simply refuse
into the Pacific Ocean. Pacific Islands and politicians included the head honcho to die down. The latest in a series of
Forum leaders have repeatedly said of Fiji Airways, who was seated next developments is another ‘story’ about
since last year, they’re “committed to to the boss of Pacific Voyagers, the how a certain high-ranking official
dialogue” with Japan on the matter. company that managed a controversial was told the institution’s spat with an
Judging from utterances by Japan’s charter flight to Israel last year. Last island government will not go away
Foreign Affairs Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, December, Pacific Voyagers missed a until there is a formal apology. Staff
who was in Suva mid-February, it payment instalment for that flight, are now wondering just when this saga
appears Japan has virtually sealed raising questions over the arrangement. will come to an end.
discussions on the matter. Apart from a A complaint has been made to the
very lengthy statement from a deputy Fiji Independent Commission Against Added expense
press secretary on the justifications for Corruption (FICAC) over the Deed of At a regional organisation, a senior-
the need to discharge into the ocean, Forebearance and guarantee entered level executive, on a trip to another

8 Islands Business, February 2024