The chairman of Vanuatu’s Christian Council, Bishop James Ligo, says they are a Christian group and bribery would go against its principles
He says the government should set up a commission of inquiry after it accused the Council of bribing opposition MPs to oppose the country joining the World Trade Organisation.
The country’s MPs are currently debating ratification of membership of the world trade body, but there has been widespread opposition led by the church council.
Church leaders in Vanuatu are considering what to do next after the ratification of the country’s accession to the World Trade Organisation. The general secretary for the Vanuatu Christian Council says they have been very clear from the beginning they do not support the ratification.
Pastor Shem Tema says there needs to be much wider consultation with the people throughout Vanuatu. He says the churches don’t have any clear direction on their next move just yet but the people are wary about what may happen. He says they don’t really understand what the WTO is and what the consequences of signing the deal will mean.
Source
- Radio New Zealand International Bribery
- Radio New Zealand International More consultation needed
- Image: WTO
