Fiji, Sept. 7 -- The Pacific Council of Churches (PCC) has welcomed Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele's decision to bar dialogue and development partners from attending this week's Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara.

This means countries such as the United States, China, Japan and Taiwan - all of whom normally engage with Forum leaders - will not be present

PCC Secretary General, Reverend James Bhagwan said the move allows leaders to focus on Pacific priorities without outside pressure.

"I think the incoming chair, the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, is being quite wise. And I see this as an act of Pacific self-determination," Bhagwan told regional Journalists in Honiara.

"This is the space now for th...