Pacific instability 'creating power vacuum'

AAP - November 03, 2006 07:47pm
By Vincent Morello

INSTABILITY in the Pacific is threatening Australia's relations in the region, opposition foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd says.

Mr Rudd said the Federal Government had acted sensibly in sending two warships to Fiji to assist the possible evacuation of thousands of Australians in the event of a military coup.

But he said Australia's relations with other countries in the region were already strained because of civil unrest in East Timor and the continuing tension in diplomatic relations with Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

"I'm concerned about long-term strategic drift in our region, away from Australia's interests, a strategic vacuum being formed and I'm concerned about other countries moving in," Mr Rudd said.

He called for Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer to host a meeting between all of the foreign affairs ministers of the Pacific Island nations.

He said the Pacific Island Forum in 2000 established such a measure "in the event of a domestic political crisis that was getting out of control in any of the island states".

He said he was encouraged that Mr Downer appeared to favour calling the meeting.

Fiji's military leader Frank Bainimarama has made continued threats since last month to overthrow the government if Fiji's prime minister Laisenia Qarase goes ahead with legislation to grant amnesty to organisers of Fiji's coup in 2000.

Commodore Bainimarama has threatened that Mr Qarase's continued refusals to step down "will result in bloodshed".

But he also indicated today through his deputy the military has no intent on staging a coup to oust Mr Qarase.

"Statements about bloodshed are just plain irresponsible," Mr Rudd said.

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