Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, flanked by Speaker Brenson Wase, right, and parliament chaplain Rev Lawson Matauto, at the opening of the Nitijela in early August, where she spoke forcefully for Taiwan's inclusion at the Pacific Islands Forum as a development partner with the region. Photo: Wilmer Joel
Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine has told Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele that it will hurt the Pacific Island region to bar numerous development partners from attending meetings with Pacific leaders next month at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Honiara.
Earlier this month, following Manele's declaration that he will eliminate the post-Forum dialogue meetings with the region's many development partners, Heine in a letter dated 8 August, urged Manele and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat "to reconsider this approach and explore a more balanced path forward - one that allows us to preserve the momentum of regional cooperation, uphold the Forum's legacy of inclusivity, and avoid the unintended consequence of distancing partners at a pivotal time."
Manele dismissed claims that the Solomon Islands was under pressure from China to prevent Taiwan's participation in the Forum sessions next month.
Heine had spoken strongly against sidelining Taiwan.
But her letter to Manele in response to his plan to ban all engagement with outside donor partners did not mention Taiwan, focusing instead on the need for partnerships with donors for the benefit of the island region.
The Marshall Islands is one of Taiwan's three Pacific allies, with Tuvalu and Palau, all of whom have gone to bat for Taiwan's inclusion in the Pacific Islands Forum.
Manele has used the ongoing reform discussions for the Forum's donor partner dialogue system as the reason for cancelling engagement with all donor partners.
This has further raised criticism and concern in the region about countries outside the region influencing the premier regional organisation for the Pacific. Tuvalu has already threatened to boycott the Forum meeting in Solomon Islands over the situation.
Heine voiced her discontent with the pressure being brought on the Solomon Islands to prevent Taiwan's attendance during her speech at the Marshall Islands parliament opening 4 August.
"I believe firmly that the Forum belongs to its members, not countries that are non-members," Heine said at the opening ceremony.
"And non-members should not be allowed to dictate how our premier regional organisation conducts its business."
Now, following the announcement that Manele is banning attendance of all development partners, Heine has sent a letter to the Solomon Islands Prime Mminister voicing her unhappiness with his plan.
She said the Pacific Islands Form is "the only avenue where we, as Pacific leaders, engage collectively with our development and dialogue partners in support of urgent and shared regional priorities.
"To delay these dialogues at such a critical time - when global attention, funding and cooperation are essential - would be a significant missed opportunity for both our Forum and our region."
Heine said discussions with donor partners - who range from the US, China and Japan to the European Union, India and Taiwan - is essential to "mobilise timely resources," "ensure alignment" with Pacific Islands priorities, and "promote unity of purpose."
Heine said the Forum review of its dialogue system with donors is ongoing but that shouldn't be a reason to halt all engagement with donors this year.
Heine noted that her comments were offered in the "spirit of friendship, close kinship and mutual respect."
Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu are among the 12 countries in the world that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Despite Taiwan being a major donor partner to the three island nations, as well as a donor to the Forum Secretariat, China has actively worked to marginalise Taiwan and its international relationships including getting the Forum toeliminate a reference to Taiwan in last year's Forum leaders' communique after leaders had agreed on the text.
Heine cited the position of the three Taiwan allies in the Pacific in support of Taiwan participation at next month's Forum.
"There should not be any debate on the issue since Taiwan has been a Forum development partner since 1993," Heine said during her remarks at the opening of parliament.
