Rugby and closer ties on Pacific Forum agenda

By HELEN TUNNAH

A Pacific leaders' summit in Apia will offer insights into how plans for greater regional co-operation will affect the sovereignty of members.

The Pacific Islands Forum will shy away from endorsing any formal union, but the terms of reference for a "Pacific Plan" will be unveiled during the three-day meeting, starting tomorrow.

Couched in terms of a need - post-September 11 - to protect the region against terrorism and international crime, the strategy will spell out just how the region can secure itself against such threats through economic development.

A focus on good government may reveal details of an even greater injection of Australians, and perhaps New Zealanders, into the heart of the public service in states such as Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

For some smaller members dependent on the region for their survival but more preoccupied with fears of climate change than al Qaeda, the extent to which the strategy will want to share "resources of governance and align policies" is a concern.

For that reason there will be a concerted effort by the larger nations to try to ensure that small island members leave Apia satisfied that their sovereignty is not under threat.

The Samoa summit will also traverse the issue of Pacific Islands' rugby, and how nations such as Tonga, Fiji and Samoa can gain more revenue from the sport, and retain players.

Prime Minister Helen Clark, who has chaired the forum for the past year, will arrive in Apia tonight and meets Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, tomorrow morning. As the chairman of Samoan rugby, it is certain he will raise the subject.

Helen Clark said it was clear the Pacific was "exercised" about rugby.

"The issues are quite hard, because top rugby competition follows where TV rights might be."

New Zealand, Australia and South Africa will be discussing renewal of TV rights with News Corp this month, but it seems the only hope the new combined Pacific Islanders team has of joining the deal is if one of the three partners opts out.

While rugby is likely to dominate the headlines, it will be detail around the Pacific Plan, first unveiled at a special mini-Forum summit in Auckland in April, that will dominate formal talks.

Forum Secretary-General Greg Urwin has been working out how greater regional co-operation could be achieved, and will present draft terms of reference in Apia.

There have been hints an eventual Pacific Union, raised by Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff in a speech to Otago University's foreign policy school on Pacific issues, should not be discounted.

Talking heads

* The Pacific Islands Forum has 16 members.

* Australia and New Zealand-led, the forum is reviewing its effectiveness.

* It is now focused on security, good governance, economic growth and sustainable development.

* The review is also considering "stronger and deeper" links between members.

* That has left small states worried their sovereignty is at risk.

* Niue was due to host the forum, but could not because of a cyclone.