| Letter From Suva: DEFYING THE MIGHTIES |
Laisa Taga
Here's something Australia and New Zealand sometimes seem to forget as they muscle their way around the Pacific Islands: they are dealing with sovereign states just like them.
It ís about time, say some in the region, that Pacific islands countries stand up and be counted. Now it appears some small islands states are doing just that.
They're showing the mighty Australians and New Zealanders that they can't be pushed around all the time. Enough is enough.
| Nauru... one needs a visa to enter the country. |
They're telling Australia and New Zealand that islands nations should be allowed to make their own decisions without interference. And whatever decisions they make, should be respected.
Tiny Tuvalu and Nauru shocked New Zealand and Australia last month, when they gave them a taste of their own medicine.
Tuvalu decided, along with five other Pacific Islands nations, to vote with pro-whaling Japan at the International Whaling Commission meeting in the Caribbean.
The move angered New Zealand and Australia. So much so that there was talk of using their aid programmes to force Pacific Islands nations to dance to their tune.
How many times have the Aussies, especially, and the Kiwis too, used their aid programmes to force the islands to see things their way? Exactly as they are accusing Japan of doing. Your guess is as good as mine.
But tiny Tuvalu is saying enough is enough. Prime Minister Maatia Toafa, told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat that it would be unfair to tie aid to political international support.
"I don't think that is fair. As a far as Tuvalu is concerned, we are an aid-dependent country and we feel that we should be left to make our decisions without any influences."
It is a view reiterated by Solomon Islands Opposition leader Fred Fono. He strongly believes the Pacific islands states, as "sovereign nations should come up with our own positions as to whether we support Australia, New Zealand on one side, or support the Japanese government on the other side."
Meanwhile, little Nauru refused entry to two Australian security (ASIO) officers who tried to enter the country without following proper procedures.
Obviously thinking that what Australia says rules, they set off without the visas needed to enter Nauru and without approval for their plane to land. This despite well established procedures that permission to land be given 48 hours before arrival.
In the end, they had to remain on their plane in Honiara, while the necessary approvals and clearances were sought.
The blunder annoyed Nauru politicians who were at the time busy passing their budget.
"They expect us, every time they want to do something, to drop everything," one MP remarked.
Nauru had to hastily convene an emergency cabinet meeting to approve the entry.
The disregard of regulations by the Australians, prompted another Nauru MP to comment: "Everybody needs a visa to come here. Just because you're ASIO or you're Australian does not mean you can avoid the visa issue."
As more than a few Pacific Islanders thought: imagine a Pacific islander turning up in either Australia and New Zealand without a visa.
Forget about a hastily convened meeting of John Howard's cabinet to approve your visa. You will be either put on the next plane home or taken to the nearest detention centre because you've flouted the rules.
Australia and, to a lesser extent New Zealand, have for too long taken the Pacific Islands countries for granted.
Now the Aussies and Kiwis are getting a message from the islands: It is about time they show some respect for the islands and their leaders.
The Aussies and Kiwis cannot continue to use aid dollars to get islands nations to toe their line. Otherwise the islands will be looking elsewhere, for friendlier and more understanding friends. Like Japan, China and Taiwan.
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