Colonial Governor Johnnie heads for a wee break.

Mr Howard says he expects a warm welcome at the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji, this week, despite the recent disagreements. The roots of the problem are analysed here.

Colonialism continues to cast its shadow over Australia's challenges in the South Pacific. Diplomatic spats between political leaders in Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomons have been the focus for observers of the South Pacific Forum in Fiji. However, travel bans on PNG ministers visiting Australia, a fugitive nominated to be the Solomons' senior legal officer, the question of Pacific guest workers in Australia, and accusations of Canberra's "arrogance", "bullying", and "sovereignty violations" only mask a series of long-term and seemingly insoluble problems. The diplomatic "crisis", as it has been called, can be traced to events that have their origin in the dissolution of European empires after World War II.






He seems to be less popular with his neighbours than his countrymen. I am sure that they have the cooking pots fired up.