Pacific Islands Forum: Ex-National minister to monitor Tonga

By AUDREY YOUNG

Commonwealth Secretary-General and former Foreign Minister Don McKinnon has appointed former Cabinet colleague Sir Douglas Graham a special envoy to Tonga, under pressure over its lack of democracy.

Mr McKinnon, 64, also said he would seek another four-year term at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Nigeria in December.

He said he had asked Sir Douglas - a former Treaty Negotiations Minister and Attorney-General - to be his special envoy to Tonga.

The appointment arose from a governance meeting the Commonwealth had held for Pacific Island Forum countries after last year's forum in Fiji.

A constitutional monarchy, Tonga has come under increasing criticism for its crackdown on press freedom and for its lack of democracy.

Sir Douglas would engage with Tonga "on issues that relate to Commonwealth values and issues that some would like to see some movement on".

"I don't expect anything to happen overnight. I think this is a case of quiet diplomacy. It's giving encouragement where encouragement can work."

Mr McKinnon has been in Auckland during the Pacific Islands Forum meeting. He said he had the support of the 12 forum members of the Commonwealth for his reappointment. His term expires on March 31 next year.

He believed the Commonwealth's record in promoting democratic institutions had improved, and defended the Commonwealth's actions over Zimbabwe, which stands suspended from the Commonwealth.

He also defended Australia against concerns over its dominance over island states.

"No one can ignore the fact that Australia is a big country. Australia is a big economy. Australia by its very existence will always have an impact on all the Pacific Island states.

"The relationship between Australia and the small islands is always going to be a difficult one simply because one is perceived to be very large and therefore more influential and the other is always going to be on the receiving end."