‘Letters To The Editor’-U.S-pacific Island Relations
Satyendra Prasad article in one of the dailies, titled “Golden Opportunity” cannot be left unchallenged.
At the outset, it must be understood that the author is working for Abt Associates, an American contractor, which of course depends on U.S. funding to function.
Hence his readiness to embrace the positives from the recent Biden PIC summit is unsurprising.
Most commentators and observers have questioned the tangible outcomes from these summits, in essence vindicating PM Manasseh Sogavare’s reasons for not participating in such a talk fest.
Even the SG of PIFS is resigned to saying that he will see when the promises are realised.
And this is from good experience after last year’s summit when the promised $800m, for the entire Pacific, has yet to be realised.
Even with the announcement of the additional $200million at the recent summit, a perusal of the outcome document will reveal that all these promises are “conditional” upon the U.S. domestic dynamics.
The questions being asked are whether the meeting was merely another photo opportunity.
There were no Pacific preparations for this summit and the outcomes reveal that the key institutions such as National Security Council and USAID are ill advised about the Pacific.
And commentators like Satyendra Prasad’s views needs to be put in context.
Story By: Altauf Chand
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