Page 8 - IB Jan 2024

Whispers Whispers

Which way after Tuvalu? for the resolution, in a 161-4-4 (no)-6 at the impacts of casinos. Dear God,
So, what’s next for Australia’s (abstentions)-6 vote. Nuclear weapons what next!
strategy in the region, after the Falepili states like the United States, China,
agreement with Tuvalu? There are noises Israel, India and Pakistan all abstained. Not enough for COP28
there could be another such agreement But France and the United Kingdom voted Fiji’s entourage to the COP28
in the works with Fiji, while the chatter with Russia and North Korea as the only meeting obviously wasn’t enough for
in other quarters is about a deal with four nations in the world to oppose the the job on occasion, or so it seems. A
Nauru. Either way, it seems we’re bound resolution. Remember this, next time friend of a minister’s PA got a late-
to see further developments in this area you hear French and UK diplomats pledge night call from Adu Dhabi, smack in
this year. But before that, the Tuvalu partnership with island states! France the middle of the meeting, asking
deal faces a test as Tuvaluans go to the conducted 193 nuclear tests at Moruroa that they prepare talking points for
polls this month. Since it was signed and Fangataufa. Britain conducted 12 the minister. Apparently, as the friend
late last year, the idea has picked up atomic tests in Australia, then another found out, there was a hidden cost to
momentum that it was the Australians nine tests in Kiribati. Both refuse to fully all the evenings spent drinking grog
that went to Tuvalu with the idea, and address the concerns of nuclear survivors. with the PA.
not the other way around – as initially
sold by Australia at the signing of the Fukushima fallout Crime and punishment
deal. While on nuclear issues, the fallout Fiji’s Minister for Home Affairs,
from the Fukushima saga hasn’t quite Pio Tikoduadua, joined the crime
Which way with China? settled, at the Pacific end, that is. statistics this month, revealing
Australia may be forging a climate/ Disappointment is still ringing loud and his home had been broken into
security strategy in the Pacific but clear within much of the Pacific Islands while everyone was away. All this
those that are watching this space are Forum Secretariat in Fiji about the as Tikoduadua marshalled his anti-
also going into 2024 keen to see how way Japan was handled by certain key crime troops, directing them to
it handles its relationship with China, personnel from PIFS. Word is, the matter fix the public perception of Fijian
given that some key trade developments was still being talked about at year- police, which he said was “not
are expected to unfold between the two end events in December, even as the good”. Fiji’s growing drug problem
countries this year. China is Australia’s Secretariat went into holiday mode. Some is also high on the agenda of things
largest trading partner, taking up disappointments are so crucially placed, to fix. But it seems there are times
almost 30% of two-way trade. Strained they’re hard to forget – even after a few when there’s no one to listen. As
relationships under the previous drinks! goes this story from some time back
two Australian administrations have about a distraught Kiwi mother
stabilised with Labour at the helm. Most An unholy roll of the dice whose son, it is said, was drugged
of China’s trade restrictions on several Fiji’s governing Coalition added to into unconsciousness and had to be
Australian imports (including coal, beef their rather patchy record in their first airlifted out of Fiji, being eventually
and barley) have been dropped. The year in office in December with a few put through intensive therapy. Despite
remaining restrictions are expected to heads shaking over purported casino her efforts, complaints about the
end in early 2024. So, what’s in store plans. First, two (locally) unknown matter have failed to get through
there? Australia’s strategic/military businessmen hold a press conference out the system and seem to have fallen
alliance in the Pacific with the United of the blue announcing a proposal for through the cracks. There are other
States is obviously going to play a key a $2billion casino project. Then, Prime stories as well about just how much
role as the Western allies scale up their Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announces the attention the drug problem is getting.
geostrategic strategy in the Pacific. government has not approved a policy Here’s wishing the anti-drug agenda
There’s obviously going to be a delicate framework for casinos. But, guess what? ends up in better shape than the good
balancing act involved. He goes on to divulge that his Cabinet Minister’s residence!
actually revisited a decision by FijiFirst
Nuclear injustice in 2017 to award a casino licence to the Tertiary education drama
At the UN General Assembly late Fiji National Provident Fund, but that a There’s no shortage of drama
last year, Kiribati and Kazakhstan decision was left until later! In a rather in the higher education space in
successfully introduced a resolution on unholy conclusion to the whole fiasco, Fiji. Rumblings continue from last
nuclear justice for assistance to nuclear the project backers announced they year at the University of the South
survivors and remediation of nuclear test flew a group (including pastors) from the Pacific, where among other things,
sites. There was overwhelming support Methodist Church in Fiji to Macau to look staff are adamant about an 11%

8 Islands Business, January 2024