27 Jul 2010

Vanuatu's opposition calls for PM's resignation

10:39 am on 27 July 2010

The opposition leader in Vanuatu is calling for the resignation of the Prime Minister Edward Natapei because of his cancellation of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Summit.

Mr Natapei has defended the deferral of the summit, which was to have been hosted and chaired by Fiji, by saying the MSG needs to uphold the values of democracy.

But the opposition leader, Maxime Carlot Korman, says the Prime Minister has succumbed to the advice of Australia and New Zealand to punish Fiji.

He says Mr Natapei should resign as prime minister and MSG chairman because of his failure to allow discussion to take place in the Melanesian fashion

"I call on our Prime Minister to resign because he has failed as the Prime Minister of nation dealing with others of Melanesia, he failed, and also particularly as chairman of MSG."

Maxime Carlot Korman says the Prime Minister should have allowed the summit to take place so he could report back to the Pacific Islands Forum next week.