Time to rethink when bad guy is king

BY GRAHAM DAVIS

AUSTRALIA'S impotence in influencing events in its own back yard is being demonstrated in dramatic fashion this week as Fijian dictator Frank Bainimarama fulfils his long-held ambition to assume the chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

All the other Melanesian leaders - from Papua New Guinea, the Solomons, Vanuatu plus the Kanak FLNKS from New Caledonia - are joining him for the group's summit in Suva tomorrow. It's also being attended by representatives from Indonesia, East Timor and - strangely - the European Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The humiliation for Australia and New Zealand comes with the authority Bainimarama will now wield as the leader of a virile regional grouping - backed by the Chinese - that's increasingly regarded as more important than the long-established Pacific Islands Forum.

Read the full story on The Australian website here

Comments

[Harry Topham]

Paul - Metaphorically speaking, yes!

[Paul Oates]

Crumbs Harry. I hope that's not the voice of experience?

[Harry Topham]

Getting into bed with strangers can be a risky business as you sometimes find yourself waking up the next day with only a penny in the hand instead of the five pounds promised.