Our position on Fiji: Tonga


I refer to your article entitled ‘Can the Forum expel Fiji?’ which appeared in the April (2007) edition of your magazine.

Of particular concern is the final paragraph of the article under the sub-heading Politicking which reads in part as follows:

“A suggestion by the Tongan delegation that ministers condemn the Fiji coup was not adopted.”
Quite simply, the Tongan delegation did not make any suggestion of the kind referred to in the article. If truth be told, the initial draft outcome statement which delegations were presented with upon arrival in Port Vila contained a condemnation of the Fiji coup.

It must be pointed out that a number of Forum members including Tonga could not support such a reference hence, following further consultations and negotiation, the eventual consensus on the reiteration of profound concern.

The position of the Tongan Government as expressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sonatane Tu’a Taumoepeau Tupou, in Port Vila, was that whilst His Majesty’s Government did not condone the events of December 5, 2006, given the complexities and nuances of the Fijian political situation, it was best left to the Fijian authorities to resolve by a return to the ballot box (and constitutional and democratic governance) with  relevant support and engagement of the Pacific Islands Forum membership.
 
—Viliami Malolo
Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
TONGA