DON’T LET THE ISLAND BECOME A DUMPING GROUND FOR NUCLEAR TESTS AGAIN
Aukus’ $368 billion plan has certainly been the most talked about in the breaking news this month. And our Prime Minister Rabuka, in a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Albanese, expressed Fiji’s support for AUKUS.
As a small island nation that faces security threats not only from natural
and man-made disasters but also from geopolitical uncertainties.
In the current international context, the rise of China has become a global focal point and the strategy of Australia and the United States to join forces against China is intensifying.
In this context, Fiji believes that supporting AUKUS will help safeguard its own security and interests.
But we also need to be mindful of the potential risks and uncertainties that AUKUS poses.
Firstly, AUKUS is a military alliance with China as its main imaginary enemy, which could heighten tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and cause resentment in China.
Secondly, the deployment and use of AUKUS nuclear submarines could potentially impact the environment and ecology of Pacific island countries.
The South Pacific island nations have experienced nuclear tests by the United States and France, which have had devastating effects on the health of the island people and the environment.
The United States conducted 67 nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1958, including 23 tests with explosions in the air, underwater or above the water and 44 tests with explosions underground.
These nuclear tests caused significant damage and impact on the environment and inhabitants of the Marshall Islands, including radioactive contamination, island subsidence and climate change.
Statistically, the nuclear tests have resulted in the deaths of thousands of islanders and numerous health problems.
The radioactive materials released during the nuclear tests not only affected the lives of the islanders, but also caused long-term pollution of the environment.
Even though the United States has since provided some compensation and relief for the consequences of these nuclear tests, this intrusion has not only cost the islanders dearly in terms of medical and environmental treatment, but has also left an indelible scar in history.
For modern Pacific island nations, it is the need to cope with rising sea levels and natural disasters that is urgent.
Environmental issues caused by climate change pose a huge threat to these island nations, with sea level rise threatening their survival and development, and island governments must invest significant resources to address these issues.
Pacific island countries such as Fiji should try to avoid increased military involvement by major powers in the name of protecting the South Pacific.
Instead of focusing on military competition and military alliances, island governments should focus on promoting international peace, stability and cooperation, upholding the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and strengthening friendship and cooperation with other countries.
On the issue of global climate change, the world should listen to the voices of island countries.
South Pacific island countries are facing major challenges such as global warming, rising sea levels and climate disasters.
As one of the most vulnerable regions in the world, these island countries are facing unprecedented pressure on their economies, ecology and population.
The international community should pay attention to these issues and provide these island countries with as much support and assistance as possible, including financial, technological and human resources support, to provide a sustainable future for the island countries.
In conclusion, the South Pacific island countries refuse to become nuclear testing grounds for the major powers.
These island countries have already experienced the immense trauma caused by nuclear testing.
The world must respect the rights and interests of the island nations, and the island nations need to create the necessary conditions for a sustainable development for future generations.