South Pacific security: issues and perspectives

During the 1980s, the South Pacific was characterised by bitter internal conflicts in several countries, a new assertiveness by island country leaderships, and increased interest in the region by external powers. Economic problems worsened in most island countries and the South Pacific was affected by trends in the broader Asia/Pacific region. The implications of these developments for regional security provide the subject for this Canberra Paper. Topics discussed include trends and prospects in the broader Asia/Pacific security environment; the South Pacific security and defence environment; economic characteristics and prospects of the South Pacific island states (with particular reference to the role of regional cooperation); foreign and defence policies of the South Pacific islands states; the part played by Australia and New Zealand in the region; aims and activities of external powers; and the issues associated with the French presence