Sir Geoffrey Henry: Statesman and advocate of the Pacific Way
The effort by Sir Geoffrey behind the scenes in 2009 to establish a mediation mechanism between the Pacific Forum nations and Fiji’s Commodore Bainimarama is revealed for the first time

Former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey, who passed away this week, never publicly revealed the efforts he undertook in 2008-2009 to establish a mediation mechanism and dialogue between the Pacific Forum Nations and Fiji’s interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
Sir Geoffrey’s underlying concern was that the approach taken by some of the nations towards Fiji’s military rulers, was not consistent with the concept of the “Pacific Way,” that unseen bond which holds all Pacific peoples together.
Sir Geoffrey offered to act as a mediator.
During regular meetings with Sir Geoffrey, at his home, I was made privy to Sir Geoffrey’s documents and written exchanges with other parties. I was the only other person outside of Sir Geoffrey’s tight little group, to see those papers.
Early in 2009 the Herald and the Times reported on a new effort to set up a mediation process with the Fiji regime. It was considered by our PM, our Foreign Minister Hon Wilkie Rasmussen, the Forum Secretariat and the NZ Foreign Affairs Minister at the time Hon Murray McCully who discussed the matter with the NZ PM.
Mediation was not adopted as it was considered that matters had progressed to far down the track.
It was never revealed at the time that the mediation process was Sir Geoffrey’s initiative.
With the passing of Sir Geoffrey this week, and the approaching elections promised by Fiji’s interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama, details regarding Sir Geoffrey’s efforts can now be revealed.
In December 2008 Sir Geoffrey wrote to Dr Sitiveni Halapua at the East West Centre in Hawaii about the standoff between Fiji and the Forum nations.
Dr Halapua to Sir Geoffrey 28 December 2008 –“It was great to hear your sensible and practical views concerning the standoff….I recalled the period when you provided the most sensible and practical regional leadership our Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders… has experienced.”
“I am very happy to learn you are interested in working with me to try and find a way forward.”
“The achievement of…… requires effective leadership. I have complete confidence in your leadership.”
Sir Geoffrey to Murray McCully 1 January 2009 -“I have been watching with increasing concern the escalating diplomatic impasse between NZ and Fiji…I can see how things can get really nasty if the same old diplomatic weapons and tactics are employed by either side….I am concerned about what I see as the crumbling soul of the Forum….I was there at its birth, became part of its growth, knew its purpose and contributed to its souls and dreams.”
“I discussed the …matter with Wilkie Rasmussen…..who shares my concern…… I put my hand up as a mediator and offered to bring to the problem an independent and different approach. Wilkie is willing to take my offer to Cabinet for support. More important is your approval. I cannot come between NZ and Fiji in any role unless your government and Commodore Banimarama agreed.”
“I am available to meet with the Banimarama government to develop a working arrangement that your two governments could approve. I apologise for imposing on your time but on a matter that is critically important to our region I am damned if I am going to stand by, watch and do nothing.”
Murray McCully to Sir Geoffrey 2 January 2009 8.48am –“The PM is out of the country…I will discuss your suggestion with him on his return.”
Sir Geoffrey to Murray McCully 2 January 2009 10.55am –“It is a fact no independent nation enjoys being beaten around the head with a baseball bat-not even NZ and Aust.”
“I truly believe that both Fiji and NZ need to take time out, look at each other again not from what was done or said but from what needs to be done and said. This cannot be done if both sides engage in diplomatic guerilla warfare. Don’t forget the Commodore is a soldier.”
“Clearly the way forward has to be brokered independently, sensitively and with a clear vision as to the outcome.”
“I feel that I could get close to the Commodore to initiate preliminary discussions.”
“The ultimate would be a high level face to face on neutral grounds-like Rarotonga.”
Sir Geoffrey to Neroni Slade 15 January 2009 –“I write on a matter of serious concern that has weighed heavily on my mind…..namely the deteriorating relationship between NZ (Aust) and Fiji as well as between the Forum and Fiji.”
“I raised my concern with the Acting NZ HICOM in Rarotonga just before Xmas and put up my hand as mediator. I raised the same concern with our Minister of Foreign Affairs who agreed that something had to be done. He was also supportive of my offer to mediate. I emailed the NZ Min of Foreign Affairs….expressed my deep concern …and again offered myself as a mediator.”
“It appears that the new NZ and Aust governments are adopting the trench warfare fixed position of the Clark/Downer era. This has unfortunately pushed the Forum into an unwelcoming corner as well. None of this is the Pacific Way. None of this type of diplomatic attrition will produce good results. National Pride is a very sensitive and “live” being-it can feel pain! A totally new approach needs to be adopted-an “outside the box” approach that recognizes protocol, sensitivities and has a clear vision of the outcome.”
“I am aware that both NZ and Aust want Fiji evicted from the Forum. That’s the paalangi way of doing things. We Polynesians have a long standing and better way-the Pacific Way.”
History will now show that Sir Geoffrey’s offer to mediate was not adopted. On 27 January 2009 there was a special Leader’s meeting held at Port Moresby where it was decided that Fiji must declare a clear timetable for a return to democracy by 1 May 2009 or measures to suspend Fiji from meetings and other targeted measures would take effect on 2 May 2009.
On 30 April 2009 interim Prime Minister Bainimarama made a last ditch effort via e-mail to ward off Forum action.
Bainimarama confirmed elections would be held no later than September 2014. He also said: -“The Pacific is a small place. We are all related to one another in some way. In a challenging global environment we in the Pacific in particular those of us who have small and vulnerable economies and have a colonial past, must band together as opposed to isolating one another and fragmenting the Pacific community. To adopt the dogmatic path being advocated and perpetuated by the two metropolitan powers of Australia and New Zealand is contrary to the Pacific Way.”
He went on the say: -“Fiji is part of the Forum and the Forum part of Fiji. We simply cannot caste each other out. The only way forward for Fiji and the Forum is to re-engage in constructive dialogue. We must all work together to rekindle the Pacific Way.” -By Charles Pitt

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
- Lucky $1,000 winner
- Century old palm trees and the French connection
- Koutu Nui takes part in Raui meeting in Moorea
- WOM Award Dinner for Ake Hosea-Winterflood
- Island of Atiu to host Koutu Nui AGM in June 2009