Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SUVA418
2006-10-05 00:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Suva
Cable title:  

PIF OFFICIALS DISCUSS RESTRUCTURING PACIFIC ISLAND

Tags:  PREL PGOV XV XU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0273
RR RUEHAP RUEHKN RUEHKR RUEHMJ RUEHPB
DE RUEHSV #0418 2780026
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050026Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY SUVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3334
INFO RUEHAP/AMEMBASSY APIA 0130
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1294
RUEHKN/AMEMBASSY KOLONIA 0151
RUEHKR/AMEMBASSY KOROR 0087
RUEHMJ/AMEMBASSY MAJURO 0600
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0057
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 0901
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 1083
UNCLAS SUVA 000418 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV XV XU
SUBJECT: PIF OFFICIALS DISCUSS RESTRUCTURING PACIFIC ISLAND
INSTITUTIONS

REF: A. SECSTATE 164540


B. SUVA 341

UNCLAS SUVA 000418

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV XV XU
SUBJECT: PIF OFFICIALS DISCUSS RESTRUCTURING PACIFIC ISLAND
INSTITUTIONS

REF: A. SECSTATE 164540


B. SUVA 341


1. (SBU) Charge passed Ref A points to Greg Urwin,
Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF)

SIPDIS
Secretariat October 2. Charge also passed the points to

SIPDIS
Jimmie Rodgers, Director General of the Secretariat of the
Pacific Community (SPC). Urwin had no immediate comment.
Rodgers told Charge he agreed with many of our points,
especially the need for a thorough legal analysis of the
proposal to consolidate all regional technical organizations
and expand SPC's mandate and authority.


2. (SBU) A representative of the experts' group tasked with
reviewing the restructuring proposal made a presentation to
the Forum Officials Committee (FOC) October 4, followed by a
lengthy question and answer session. The FOC meeting was
attended by representatives of PIF member countries only,
plus relevant organizations such as the SPC. Representatives
who attended told us that although there is wide support in
the FOC for restructuring regional organizations, far more
consultation is needed, including with non-PIF members. A
PIF Secretariat official said virtually every concern
mentioned in the U.S. talking points was independently
brought up by FOC members during the course of the
discussion.


3. (SBU) The relevant section of the FOC report to leaders
approved late October 4 states as follows:

"A range of views was expressed in the Committee on the
Review (of the regional institutional framework). Some
delegates were supportive of the recommendations although
others expressed reservations. It was suggested that further
analysis was needed on issues such as legal, including treaty
implications, governance structures, delivery of programmes
and membership. Should Leaders agree to some or all of the
recommendations, these issues could be considered by a task
force comprising of members."

The summary "recommendations" document from the FOC makes the
following statement:

"The Committee:
a) noted the recommendations of the Regional Institutional
Framework Review;
b) expressed a range of views on the review including
concerns by some members of the Committee with some
recommendations of the Review; and
c) sought the guidance of Leaders on how they wish the Review
to proceed."


4. (SBU) The SPC's Jimmie Rodgers told Charge October 5 he
was satisfied with the outcome of the FOC. Clearly, more
research, discussion and consultation is needed before any
concrete steps to consolidate regional organizations can take
place. He said the consolidation proposal would be a major
topic of discussion during the November SPC Meeting of the
Committee of Representatives (CRGA) in Noumea.



MANN