Tha Vailima Solution

Prime Minister of Samoa Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has had a coup of an idea .... and a wise solution to the fractiousness in Fiji .

This is part of what he said recently in response to his endorsement of Mara's pro-democracy campaign ......

" I do not know anything about coups. We don’t have coups in Samoa, unless, it’s a chicken coop.

My support for Mara is solely on his and others’ efforts in returning Fiji to democratic government and free elections. If that is the aim of the democracy campaign in Fiji and elsewhere, then I support it too.

Any measure to support the military regime in Suva is denying the people of Fiji democratic right and I will not be a party to it. Bainimarama’s promise of holding elections in 2014 is not taken seriously by Forum leaders. That is because he has been consistently dishonest with his dealings with the leaders and, thus, cannot be trusted.

His latest election promise also, is not consistent with his actions as he continues to fill up the top public service ranks with his cronies in the military and otherwise.

When Mara might wish to visit Samoa is solely up to him. We are not in the business of barring anyone from visiting our shores. We have also received official delegations from Fiji in recent months for regional meetings.

May I also take this opportunity to renew my invitation to my friend Bainimarama to come to Samoa.

Even better, if his visit coincides with that of Mara in Apia, then the three of us can enjoy cold Vailimas under the swaying coconut trees. Perhaps that’s what the situation in Fiji requires, a cold Vailima solution.

All this climate change is making many people in the Pacific warm in the head."