30 Jul 2015

Forum chief dismisses intervention in Nauru

3:41 pm on 30 July 2015

The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Dame Meg Taylor says issues in Nauru are for the country to work out and she has dismissed immediate action by the regional grouping.

Dame Meg has been in Nauru for three days as part of a tour of all Forum countries before the Forum leaders meet in September.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Secretary-General, Dame Meg Taylor.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Secretary-General, Dame Meg Taylor. Photo: RNZI

Her visit comes amid concerns about a breakdown in democracy and the rule of law on Nauru, and the ongoing suspension of five opposition MPs from parliament.

Dame Meg says she had long and extensive discussions with the President Baron Waqa, as well as talks with the opposition MPs, civil society and members of the judiciary.

"I can't say that I absolutely know for sure that everything is perfect, but as the Secretary General, from the conversations that I had I believe that due process is being applied."

Dame Meg says Mr Waqa feels very strongly about the issues of sovereignty and that the political issues that have emerged will be resolved.

"This has to be worked out in Nauru. I don't think it's going to be worked out by speculation by me or anybody else. I think that this is something that people in Nauru have to work out and hopefully the conversations I've had with leadership in Nauru will stimulate consideration of some issues."

President of Nauru, Baron Waqa

President of Nauru, Baron Waqa Photo: Supplied

Dame Meg has dismissed intervention by the Forum in Nauru at this stage.

"The situation has to be examined much more thoroughly than my three day visit. My three day visit was to try and get an understanding of what is going on in Nauru. I wasn't there on an investigation mission. I was there to have conversations with various parties, let people talk to me, express their concerns and for me to have a discussion with the chair of the Forum."

Dame Meg says it will be up to the chairperson, the president of Palau Tommy Remengesau, to decide whether to take things forward if at all.

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