Page 8 - Islands Business January 2021

Whispers

Sending a message with Seselja? The US riots and Pacific connections ing airlines, including Air Tahiti and Fiji
In a Cabinet re-shuffle, Australian A Palauan flag was spotted amongst Airways. Given the parlous state of the
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ap- Confederate and MAGA flags during the aviation sector in the Pacific and contin-
pointed Liberal Senator Zed Seselja as US Capitol riots this month, prompting ued border closures, there is lots of
Minister for International Development a swift reaction. Palau’s Ambassador scepticism within the industry about the
and the Pacific, replacing Alex Hawke. to the US, Hersey Kyota, said while timelines and viability of the proposed
But Seselja is a strong supporter of peaceful demonstrations are part of airline.
the fossil fuel industry, often voting democracy, Palau’s flag had no place in
for new coal mines and against a fast the disorder and unlawful act that took Dr Aqorau takes Marshalls role
transition from fossil fuels to renewable place. “I was deeply disappointed to Solomon Islands fisheries expert Dr
energy. Odd choice if Australia wants to see our flag carried by a rioter at the Transform Aqorau has been appointed
increase climate action in the Pacific, or U.S. Capitol. This was outright wrong as Legal Advisor to the Marshall Islands
is Scott Morrison trying to send a mes- and absolutely unacceptable. To that Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA). He
sage to Forum Island Countries? person, who carried the flag I say: If has accepted the role after waiting in
you love the Republic of Palau, please vain for more than a year for a contract
Dorsey’s French Polynesian sojourn do not embarrass her and her people. I from his own government. In 2019,
French Polynesia’s ability to attract hope I will never see our flag displayed the Solomon Islands Government had
high rollers has seen a number of big in such an embarrassing way again.” announced Dr Aqorau as the country’s
decisions made from its exclusive re- Tonga’s flag was also spotted in footage designate Permanent Representative to
sorts and the superyachts moored there, of the violence. the United Nations, Ambassador to the
but perhaps none as momentous as U.S. and Cuba and High Commissioner
Jack Dorsey’s decision to ban outgoing Pot, kettle, black? to Canada. However Dr Aqorau says he
US President Donald Trump from Twit- Meanwhile, a statement by Fiji’s has never been served a contract for
ter. The Twitter CEO discussed action Prime Minister in response to the events that role. “There was no indication, no
against Trump with his staff from his in Washington has raised eyebrows communication, no attempt whatsoever
holiday spot. Following the President’s amongst students of history and his from your Officials and those of the
tweets around the storming of the US political rivals. “Who is Voreqe Bainima- Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formalise a
Capitol building on January 6, Twit- rama to lecture Americans on true and contract for me after Cabinet’s approv-
ter first suspended then permanently genuine democracy,” said Fiji’s National al of my appointment in July 2019,” Dr
banned him, saying the tweets “were Federation Party in response to the Aqorau has written in a letter to Prime
highly likely to encourage and inspire Prime Minister’s condemnation of vio- Minister Manasseh Sogavare, inform-
people to replicate the criminal acts lence in the US Capitol in early January. ing him of his decision to take on the
that took place at the U.S. Capitol.” “There is only one difference between new role. Despite this, Dr. Aqorau says:
the Trump supporters’ attack on elected “I will always be an Ambassador for
Unsafe passage institutions and Voreqe Bainimarama’s Solomon Islands and the region, to fight
Yachties who were encouraged to 2006 coup. The difference is that to reshape the international economic
come to the Pacific region under special Voreqe Bainimarama succeeded in over- order of our oceans and forest resources
arrangements during the pandemic throwing an elected government and for our peoples.”
have discovered how difficult differ- the Trump supporters did not,” the NFP
ent national border policies are making said in a statement in the aftermath of Oceania Centre continues
transiting the region. One yacht that the riots. The Prime Minister had called The University of the South Pacific
arrived unannounced in Niuean waters the violence “an affront to democra- has denied suggestions that it is closing
enroute to New Caledonia from Tahiti, cies around the world,” saying, “True the Oceania Centre at its Laucala cam-
was ordered to leave. Its crew had and genuine democracy is a precious pus. The Centre’s director, Dr Cresantia
reportedly been looking for fruit, veg- treasure that no nation should take for Koya Vaka’uta has joined the Pacific
etables and fuel. Meanwhile a couple granted.” Community (SPC) but the USP says a
who decided to set off from Fiji for replacement will be recruited this year.
Indonesia in order to escape the cyclone Fly CORALway’s optimism The Oceania Centre is currently under-
season have run into trouble in Solomon Questions are being asked about a going renovations.
Islands. They sought safe haven when proposed new airline, FLY CORALway,
they encountered engine and water which is already taking reservations Unsafe evacuation centres
problems, however they were charged despite having no planes in the air and The safety of cyclone evacuation
with entering the country illegally. The no staff. The venture’s website says it centres is again under scrutiny following
case is ongoing. An online fundraising will fly Airbus A220-100s or Embraer 190 the alleged rape of a ten year old child
page has been set up by their friends to E-2 jets to Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia, in a centre in Fiji following Cyclone
help cover court and accommodation French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna, Yasa. There have been consistent calls
costs. but that it will not compete with exist- for improved safety at centres from

8 Islands Business, January 2021