Micronesia receives unreserved apology from Forum
REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Government Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, 27 April, 2021
Micronesia receives unreserved
apology from Forum
The leaders of the Micronesian
sub-region received an unreserved apology from their "Pacific
brothers" during the frank and open Forum Troika Plus political
dialogue held virtually on 26 April, in regards to the impasse that
has transpired from the process of selecting the Pacific Islands
Forum secretary general.
Micronesian leaders in attendance -
Nauru President Lionel Aingimea and Federated States of Micronesia
President David Panuelo welcomed the sincere words by Papua New
Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa
Sailele Malielegaoi, Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Dame Meg Taylor, in saying
"sorry" to Micronesia for what has resulted in a damaged Pacific
family.
The leaders expressed regret and
acknowledged that the situation could have been managed differently
and better.
Forum Chair and Prime Minister of
Tuvalu Kausea Natano expressed sadness in the current rift and
reminded the leaders that the dialogue was to listen to the
concerns and issues of the Micronesian presidents and to "secure
the solidarity of our region."
President Aingimea is deeply
thankful and moved by the depth of sincerity in the apologies he
describes as "resonates deep within my heart."
"Leadership is shown at times like
this and to the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Prime
Minister of Samoa, and the Prime Minister of Fiji, you have shown
yourselves to be able leaders; wise leaders, in bringing words like
this to us here."
Prime Minister Bainimarama simply
said "sorry to you my fellow Micronesian brothers," offering his
personal apology as he recalls his country's own situation and
suspension from the PIF in 2009, emphasising that no country should
be put in that situation.
Prime Minister Marape appealed to
Micronesia not to leave the Forum and encouraged the leaders to
"break bread" and right the wrong.
He reiterated his choice in voting
with Micronesia at the election of the PIF secretary-general, and
urges that in the interest of regional solidarity the election of
the SG should be on rotation even if it was not a written
agreement, for what he describes is for brotherhood and going
forward.
Prime Minister Malielegaoi said the
meeting came at an opportune time and granted that more time for
discussion could have reached an appropriate way out.
SG Dame Meg recommits the Forum is
there to serve all members and while denunciations have been served
there is time yet to strengthen the union.
The Political Dialogue mechanism
was established in March 2021 by Forum leaders as a way to pursue
open and frank discussions between PIF leaders and Micronesia. The
Forum Troika Plus comprised the leaders of Tuvalu, Nauru, Fiji,
Papua New Guinea, and Samoa.