MSG deferment was PM Philip’s decision: Bainimarama

Fiji’s leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama

Fiji’s leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama says the decision by Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Danny Philip to indefinitely postpone the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s (MSG) special leaders’ meeting was his own making.

Speaking to Fiji Live, Commodore Bainimarama said that while he was not in a position to comment on why the MSG was postponed, he acknowledged that the decision was made by PM Philip.

He also said that PM Philip and current MSG chair-Vanuatu Prime Minister, Edward Natapei had been in talks in the lead up to the postponement of the meet.

The MSG special leader’s meeting was to be held in Honiara this week but was put on hold by the Solomon Islands PM.

The meeting was to have seen the handover of the MSG chairmanship to the Solomon Islands who would then hand it over to Fiji.

Fiji was to have been represented by Minister Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola at the meeting in Honiara tomorrow.
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Meanwhile, in the latest feat of MSG Chairmanship saga, Solomon Islands member of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga has lashes out at Commodore Bainimarama describing him as someone who wants countries of the MSG to bow down to his demands.

Matthew Wale made the statement in a reply to a question about his opinion regarding the recent MSG chairmanship impasse which Solomon Islands has agreed to settle between Fiji and Vanuatu.

Mr Wale told national broadcaster, SIBC his position is clear and that is, MSG countries should not allow Bainimarama to control them.

He said the MSG countries should learn from this and don't allow Commodore Bainimarama to dictate any matters regarding to the MSG.

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