Page 8 - IB September 2024

Whispers

Dispatches from Tonga disappeared to their accommodation,
The ubiquity of mobile phones is to catch up on reports, or indulge in
a growing issue at the Pacific Islands R&R. Meanwhile, Pacific leaders were
Forum. At last month’s leaders’ meeting waiting to engage informally and discuss
in Nuku’alofa, every ceremony and the important issues which cannot be
event was captured on phones, with discussed when bilateral partners are
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selfies and videos going viral in real present. A wasted opportunity?
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time. Great publicity for the Forum, as
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Tongan hospitality and the songs and Pacific leaders transported to Vava’u
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chants of school children echoed around in the back of a military transport?
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the diaspora. Not so good for politicians Novel for some and nothing new for the
Circulation & Distribution captured on film as they chat over likes of Fiji’s Sitiveni Rabuka. But surely,
subs@islandsbusiness.com morning coffee. Next time, Anthony there was a more decent way to move
Finance Albanese, Kurt Campbell and Qian Bo members of the vuvale between venues.
finance@islandsbusiness.com may want to see who’s got their phone The public backlash to Australia’s off-
out, before they start joking about handed transportation option has not
Fiji stockists
their manoeuvres at the Forum! been kind. It’s this treatment of Pasifika
Baka Books - 23 McGregor Rd, Suva people that works against Australia
Bulaccino - Garden City, Raiwai / Namaka, Nadi Kurt Campbell’s presence at the every time.
Dominion Bookshop - BSP Life Building Arcade, Suva Forum evoked some interesting
Ginger Kitchen - Fiji Museum observations. People who’ve been And while on the issue of Australia,
Hot Bread Kitchen - Damodar City, Suva/LICI building, around long enough remarked that 15 Melanesia has hit back at efforts to
Butt St, Suva/Namaka, Nadi/Rajendras Foodtown Complex, years ago, the US delegation was led form a regional police force. Ostensibly
Valelevu/Namoli Avenue, Lautoka
by Campbell – a “freshman” assistant seen by Australia as a means to improve
Maui Bay TOTAL Service Station - Lot 15, Maui Bay Estates
secretary back then. He is now the policing and stem the tide of drugs,
Nausori Airport Kiosk - Nausori International Airport,
Nausori US Deputy Secretary of State, his rise it’s viewed in the Pacific as too little
through the ranks in that time matching too late. And as a knee jerk reaction
Palm Court Bistro - QBE Arcade, Victoria Parade, Suva
the revived US interest in the Pacific. to China’s increasing influence in
Raiwaqa Bakery - Flagstaff/Nausori
Alas, the irony wasn’t lost on some Melanesia. Either way, Australia is
Samabula Drug Store - Samabula
delegates that the leaders’ summit taking a social media battering over the
The Projects Collective - Colova Estate (The Beachouse),
Coral Coast, Korolevu was taking place in a new school issue.
stadium that just opened in the capital,
USP Book Centre - USP Laucala Campus, Suva
Nuku’alofa, built by, guess which major New French PM, New Caledonian
Vuda Marina General Store - Vuda Marina, Lautoka
US rival? concerns
Yees Xpressmart - Unit S22, Port Denarau, Nadi
France has a new conservative Prime
Regional
While it was all smiles in public, Minister and anti-independence leaders
ASCC Le Bookstore - Pago Pago, American Samoa
there was lots of grumbling behind in New Caledonia are chuffed. As New
Friendly Islands Bookshop – Nuku’alofa, Tonga
the scenes. The roving ambassador Caledonians went to the polls for the
Heritage Park Hotel – Honiara, Solomon Islands for a key Forum dialogue partner has December 2021 referendum on self-
Naoero Postal Service Corporation (Nauru Post) – Civic angered a lot of Pacific leaders and determination, Michel Barnier wrote:
Centre, Aiwo District, Nauru
officials, undercutting her nation’s “Without reservations or pretence,
Palau Community College - Koror, Palau
Indo-Pacific agenda. At the Forum in I give my full support to those who
Samoa Stationery and Books - Apia, Samoa
Nuku’alofa, many raised concerns that will vote for New Caledonia to remain
Tuvalu Post - Funafuti, Tuvalu
the ambassador was publicly lecturing French.” Now appointed as Prime
Vanuatu Post - Port Vila, Vanuatu elected Foreign Ministers and Prime Minister, Barnier may have trouble
Yap Cooperative Association – Colonia, YAP, FSM Ministers. Wolf warrior diplomacy persuading the Kanak people that
doesn’t just come from China! he’s a neutral and impartial umpire
between supporters and opponents of
What happened to civil society independence.
engagement at the recent Forum
meeting in Nuku’alofa, Tonga? It Whispers is compiled under the
appears that immediately after supervision of the editorial team.
the formalities, most CSO types

8 Islands Business, September 2024