15 Mar 2006

MSG foreign ministers in Vanuatu to discuss security issues

7:45 pm on 15 March 2006

The foreign ministers of the Melanesian Spearhead Group countries are meeting in Vanuatu tonight to discuss the presence of former Fiji soldiers in the Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville.

The Fiji men have been in a rebel-held no go zone, providing security for a wanted PNG money scheme operator, Noah Musingku.

The ministers' meeting follows failed efforts to get the Fijians to leave the area or to apprehend Mr Musingku.

The meeting is also set to resolve trade disputes within the MSG group.