Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's opening address to 600 delegates
at the African-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) Summit, Nadi, Fiji Thursday July
18, 11.10 a.m.
"There is a spirit among us which makes us distinct, the spirit of the islands. You will have experienced it already. This relationship with the ocean is why we are so adamantly opposed to any actions which expose it to threats of pollution, hazardous waste and the destructive effect of nuclear and missile tests. The rising sea levels from global warming are also a great danger to the Pacific Islands, especially low-lying atolls. It is quite conceivable that environment refugees from Oceania will in future be seeking sanctuary elsewhere.
As I speak a ship carrying plutonium is heading for our waters, having traversed other parts of the region. We will be asking you to join with us in expressing our outrage and opposition to those who are so willing to put the Pacific and our peoples at risk." [extended clapping]
See the ACP summit
website
View the entire
speech
