MSG wraps in Port Vila
Updated
The leaders of the "Melanesian Spearhead Group" have opened its new secretariat office in Port Vila, and named the first Director General.Papua New Guinean Rima Ravusiro was announced today as the MSG's first head. Mr Ravusiro's appointment, and the opening of the Chinese funded and built secretariat office, marks the end of a week of meetings and discussions between officials and ministers from the four MSG member nations, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The MSG came into existence 17 years ago, to assist in trade within the region. But the four nations have most of the Pacific's population, and the majority of its mineral wealth. That means the group holds, as yet, unexploited political power, and there is a concern amongst some Pacific Island nations, it will now start using that power. And this week one MSG member, Fiji, indicated it's looking for support in its negotiations over a return to democratic rule. Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama briefed the leaders on the situation in Fiji. One of the reporters he spoke to after that meeting was Radio Australia's Fiji correspondent Samisoni Pareti, and he spoke to Campbell Cooney about what the Commodore said, and also about the developments at the MSG meetings over the week.
Presenter: Campbell Cooney
Speaker: Radio Australia's Fiji correspondent Samisoni Pareti
