Barbara Dreaver: Hillary Clinton ups Pacific Forum stakes

Barbara Dreaver opinion

By Barbara Dreaver ONE News Pacific Correspondent

Published: 9:38AM Wednesday August 29, 2012 Source: ONE News

There's a special charm about Raro.

I make no secret that the Cook Islands is one of my most favourite places in the world.

Having lived and worked there for eight years while co-owning a small weekly paper it's a place close to my heart.

I know each and every corner, when I close my eyes I can see the swept yards, the mountains and the coastline.

Everywhere I turn there is a memory - driving around the seawall on my bike at twilight keeping my mouth shut so the bugs don't fly in, drinks at Trader Jacks, that idyllic day at the motu where a group of us all sat in the crystal clear sea with a chilly bin of beers, cheese and pate floating alongside, the beat of island drums, the heartaches, the laughter.

So many stories to tell. When we land it's like coming home all over again.

So I wonder how Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will see this patch of paradise.

She will arrive on her plane with her entourage with another cargo plane in tow.

Because Rarotonga airport isn't huge and will already have the PNG private plane on the tarmac along with NZ, Australia and New Caledonia's aircraft, the US cargo plane will park up in Pago Pago.

This gives an indication of the ma! ny logistics tiny Rarotonga has to cope with.

Cars have had to be borrowed from private owners, accommodation is pretty much booked out and there will be much fanfare along the only main road with leaders cavalcades.

The presence of the Secretary and her delegation along with a hefty Chinese delegation has upped the stakes at this Forum.

There's no doubt China's growing influence in the region is of concern to the US which is why Hillary Clinton is dropping in.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Tuiloma Neroni Slade has felt driven to remind journalists that the Forum is "not about the United States" and it is "not about China".

"So if you can concentrate without getting too hyper on personalities I think we'll appreciate it".

With all due respect to the Secretary-General it's got nothing to do with personalities - and everything to do with the reason why the US and China are about to head to head in a power struggle in our own backyard.

It's also not up to Mr Slade to lecture the media on what the forum is and isn't about.

China's influence is a huge issue around the region.

Several pacific countries are mortgaged to the hilt to China as a result of accepting a seemingly endless supply of soft loans.

There's a history of Pacific politics being influenced by China and huge amounts of Chinese money is flowing into a region that for the most part lacks resources.

You bet it's about China and you bet the media will be covering in depth the unprecedented visit of Secretary Hillary Clinton.

I have no doubt the Secretary of State will be charmed by Rarotonga and its people.

The question is how much will the island leaders be charmed by her.

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