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War of words should not affect relations: Politics expert

April 28, 2015 6:35 pm

Fiji and Samoa’s bilateral relations should not be affected by the war of words between the leaders of the two nations says politics expert, USP’s Director of Politics and International Affairs Programme, Dr Sandra Tarte.

Tarte says the exchange of words is not new, they go back as far as December 2006 after Fiji was banned from the Pacific Islands Forum for the coup.

According to politics expert Dr Sandra Tarte, despite the tension, Fiji and Samoa can still work together on some levels.

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“At the leaders level, things may not seem so good. I think that you will find that at other level they work together and that is the case also at the United Nations – our country’s submission there, they worked together. Fiji supported Samoa in being the host for the UN Simmit on the Small islands developing states and Samoa supported Fiji in the G77. They do work together. This kind of outburst, it’s unfortunate.”

In the latest exchange, Prime Minister Bainimarama says he will not attend Pacific Island Leaders Forum in Papua New Guinea in September unless the membership changes.

He says NZ and Australia should not be members as they provide financial assistance to member countries and have their own agenda.