Suva- South Pacific Islands Abound with
Challenges and Charms
(From Post of the Month- Mar

When they hear the words “S
n’t visualiz
commercial and governmental center and a town
sibility for all U.S. relations with
countries—Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru,
) zineaMagate t007 Sh 2c


Tonga and Tuvalu—plus co
and defense responsibilities for France’s Pacific territories
nsular
.

The geogr
Overview of Fiji
1
outh Pacific,” many
visualize gleaming white beaches with swa
War II Marines fighting across islands inch by inch, scantil
tribes or even Rossano Brazzi singing
Evening.” What they probably do
“Some Enchanted
aphy span
five
a Fiji,va, ue is S
considerable charms. The U.S. Embassy in Suva, with 19 direct-
hire Americans, including the Peace Corps and Defense Attaché
offices, has respon

with
clady
Worlding palms, y
people
s five million square miles, a huge swath of
ocean speckled with mostly small islands and plenty of scenic
vistas, plus diverse cultures and challenging work. In the
opinion of many, the greatest strengths of Fiji are its friendly
people and laid-back atmosphere. In an area where the usual
foreigners are “Aussies” or “Kiwis,” Americans are a bit of a
novelty. It is impossible to go anywhere without receiving
beaming smiles and friendly greetings of “bula,” which means
hello. Life is casual. At official functions, men wear Hawaiian-
style shirts. Locals refer to the relaxed pace as “Fiji time.”

Small Fish, Big Pond

Although many of the Pacific Islands look like picturesque
outposts that the modern age has bypassed, they face issues
similar to those other developing
coordin

island count
largest and
planet’s coral reefs and
public affairs office opened, dramatically
ability to engage with
most prod
General Assembly votes




an 6 percent of the total. thmore—
U.N.h have 12 Pacific nations, whic
.U.Sincreasing
onali 2007, a reg marine biodiversity. In
of the eries and the majority uctive fish
both the world’sries in an area that encompasses
cific Paa dozen ves acrosstal initiatin environmetesa
r, Joe Murphy, ew hub officand to the U.S. The nethe region
ce to rtanol impaof vitissues ll aare sity rodivei of bnconservatio
andate changemeries, cliSuva. Fishfor the Pacific in
hub vironmentalState established an en. In 2006, buregional h
a oy developing ints. The embassy is similarltionaorganiz
and international of regional settlements, hosts a large number
tter asqunearby 00,000 in s another 2us perhap100,000 pl
dounlation of ar, with a popuans). Suvaiia(like Hawans iPolynes
Papuans) andike of Melanesians (lpopulation is a blend
d its Fiji has long been a crossroads for the Pacific, an

Hub A Growing
Iraq. inth the United Nationswiand Sinai
the world, including in the peacekeeping operations around
ars to yeted over many ung contribicord, havpositive re
e mors atary ha milie Fijih, td Abroa the U.S.yincluding b
sanctions, h international ugThat act triggered topowers.
ential ander grabbed presidmlitary comiwhen the mDecember,
The most recent was last years. 0coups in 2with four
the Pacific, but the road has been bumpy in Fiji, throughout
mocratic values strong advocate for deThe U.S. has been a

political stability.
e isrlong as the so ,winner a sough, iism, thTourstruggling.
oalsis r, a, sugrport earnexl eaaditionr other tji’si Fcollapsed.
rgely ain 2004, Fiji’s textile industry ld Clothing Textiles an
t on nnization Agreemeaade OrgTrWorld the expiration of the
Withnt location.or convenies of scale eof economiadvantages

nations face. They are
struggling to compete in an era of globalization without the
2
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