Fiji's boycott of Forum Meeting unnecessary: Sir Allan Kemakeza

Former Solomon Islands prime minister Sir Allan Kemakeza says Fiji's boycott of the Pacific Islands Forum is not in the best interest of the region.

Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday announced no Fiji delegation will be attending the Leaders summit in Niue today, blaming a New Zealand decision to prevent the delegation from attending post-forum talks in Auckland.

Tvnz.co.nz reports, last year Solomon Islands boycotted the forum because it was unhappy with a review of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission.

Sir Allan, now forestry minister in the Sikua government, said all Pacific Islands leaders should attend this week's meeting in Niue.

"In my view that is not the best interest of the region, especially for Fiji and the Solomon Islands," he says.

Previous forum meetings had allowed him to stabilise unrest in the Solomon Islands, he said.

"That (forum) would the best venue for the leaders to sort out their differences and also to sort out their countries' differences ... especially Fiji and Solomon Islands."

Source: Fiji Times