United States, March 25 -- Written by Tarcisius Kabutaulaka

The tumultuous dispute over the selection of the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), which led to Micronesian countries deciding to withdraw from the premier regional organisation, provides an opportunity to re-examine the idea and vision of Pacific regionalism and the concept of the "Pacific Way".

The Micronesian countries argue that according to an unwritten convention, it was their sub-region's turn to fill the Secretary General (SG) position. Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. said: "If we want to bring the Pacific together. let's treat everyone equally - that's why it's so important that the SG be selected on a rotational basis [between Polynesia, Micron...