2 Oct 2017

Pacific Forum leader calls for sense over North Korea

12:01 pm on 2 October 2017

The chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum, Samoa prime minister, Tu'ilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, is calling for US President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un to be visionary leaders and show the moral judgement to ensure peace has a chance.

Samoa's PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Samoa's PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi Photo: RNZI Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Speaking to local media on Friday he voiced deep concern over the troubling events in North Korea and the shadow boxing by the two leaders.

Tu'ilaepa, who last week signed the endorsement by Samoa of the treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons, said if a hydrogen bomb is detonated, the US and North Korea would have started the last world war.

He said such a war might be the end of the world.

US President Donald Trump said negotiating with North Korea over its nuclear program would be a waste of time.

US President Donald Trump said negotiating with North Korea over its nuclear program would be a waste of time. Photo: AFP

Tu'ilaepa also told the UN General Assembly that as small island countries, Pacific nations were no longer protected by their isolation.

He said they were bystanders, but with the most to lose in the unfolding power drama.

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