Goff seeks French aid for islands

By FRAN O'SULLIVAN assistant editor

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff will today make a strong plea to French President Jacques Chirac to commit substantial financial assistance to the troubled Solomon Islands.

Mr Goff said Australia and New Zealand want urgent financial buy-in from the European Union donor countries to the Pacific to help rebuild the Solomons.

"That is a financial task that would be incredibly burdensome if Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific were left to do it on their own, " Mr Goff said.

Mr Chirac last week ruled out any French military contribution to the Solomons task force as initially recommended by Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer.

French officials say caution crept in after it became clear that Australian Prime Minister John Howard opposed the move, and France believes any suggestions of neo-colonialist behaviour would be "counter-productive".

At least 15 heads of state have been invited to Tahiti for an informal meeting with President Chirac.

But he and Mr Goff will also hold a separate meeting to discuss bilateral issues, including the forthcoming Pacific Islands Dialogue in Auckland.

Mr Goff said he would spell out to Mr Chirac what New Zealand is trying to achieve in Iraq through the United Nations.

He would not be going so far as to suggest a Franco/German/New Zealand position.

But he did intended to share views: "I suspect there will be a convergence between those that feel the transition to a post-Saddam regime was always a United Nations responsibility."