This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6079494.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Australia rejects bullying claim Australia rejects bullying claim
(about 7 hours later)
Australia has rejected criticism from delegates at a Pacific Islands summit in Fiji that it is acting like a regional bully.Australia has rejected criticism from delegates at a Pacific Islands summit in Fiji that it is acting like a regional bully.
The accusation comes amid a bitter dispute between Australia and both the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, over a controversial sex case. The accusation comes amid a bitter dispute between Australia and both the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea (PNG), over a controversial sex case.
At the opening of the summit, the prime minister of PNG accused Canberra of being heavy-handed and insensitive.At the opening of the summit, the prime minister of PNG accused Canberra of being heavy-handed and insensitive.
Australian leader John Howard rejected the claims as "almost laughable".Australian leader John Howard rejected the claims as "almost laughable".
He again called on Pacific countries that receive Australian aid to cut out corruption and improve their governance.He again called on Pacific countries that receive Australian aid to cut out corruption and improve their governance.
"It's not arrogant to want Australia's money to be spent wisely," he told reporters in Fiji."It's not arrogant to want Australia's money to be spent wisely," he told reporters in Fiji.
Police raidPolice raid
The prime minister of Papua New Guinea, Michael Somare, used the formal opening of the summit to launch a thinly veiled attack on Australia.The prime minister of Papua New Guinea, Michael Somare, used the formal opening of the summit to launch a thinly veiled attack on Australia.
"Particularly unhelpful are heavy-handed approaches that have little regard for social and cultural sensitivities for the local situation," he said."Particularly unhelpful are heavy-handed approaches that have little regard for social and cultural sensitivities for the local situation," he said.
"The gradual erosion of respect for sovereignty of nations in our relations should not be allowed to fester," Mr Somare said."The gradual erosion of respect for sovereignty of nations in our relations should not be allowed to fester," Mr Somare said.
The row stems mainly from the involvement of the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea in the case of fugitive Australian lawyer Julian Moti, who is wanted on child abuse charges.The row stems mainly from the involvement of the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea in the case of fugitive Australian lawyer Julian Moti, who is wanted on child abuse charges.
Canberra has asked the Solomon Islands to extradite Mr Moti - a close friend of Mr Sogavare - to face charges in his home country.Canberra has asked the Solomon Islands to extradite Mr Moti - a close friend of Mr Sogavare - to face charges in his home country.
The Solomons government, which receives millions of dollars in Australian assistance, has said the extradition request is politically motivated, and has accused Australia of using aid money to further its own national agenda in the South Pacific.The Solomons government, which receives millions of dollars in Australian assistance, has said the extradition request is politically motivated, and has accused Australia of using aid money to further its own national agenda in the South Pacific.
Relations between Australia and Papua New Guinea are also strained, because Mr Moti was able to escape from there to the Solomon Islands.Relations between Australia and Papua New Guinea are also strained, because Mr Moti was able to escape from there to the Solomon Islands.