Journalists at the Pacific Forum Leaders retreat media conference were stopped from asking questions on the nomination of former Nauru president Baron Waqa.
Public affairs adviser of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Lisa Williams Lahiri had indicated the press conference would end after short statements from the Prime Minister of Tonga Siaosi Sovaleni, the President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley Simina, the Prime Minister of Cook Islands Mark Brown, the Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka and the secretary-general of the forum secretariat Henry Puna.
Soon after FSM President Mr Simina finished his statement, Radio New Zealand reporter Ludia Lewis was cut short and Australia Broadcasting Corporations Lice Mavono then said journalists had waited all day and wanted to know if the controversy surrounding the new SG, Mr Waqa, was discussed by leaders.
After an explanation from the Fijian PM, Ms Lahiri said the leaders had a flight to catch.
“We made the rules of this press conference, please observe them. Now the leaders have to go, you can get them in Rarotonga tonight,” she said.
