Dear Editor, Prime Minister Mark Brown’s overseas travel busy visiting various countries and signing agreements is bridging international relations as head of the Pacific Islands Forum countries and the Cook Islands. At the same time the PM is trying to tap into foreign aid funds for development.

Two interesting aspects of his travel is quite alarming. One relates to how he uses the word “independence” of the Cook Islands, in his speech to leaders such as the US President Joe Biden. We know that using this terminology is completely false and incorrect. The Cook Islands is not an independent nation but self-governing in association with New Zealand. This unfortunate lie and twist that PM Mark Brown is trying to paint a picture that the Cook Islands

qualify as an independent nation. In the process he is duping and circumventing developed nations so that the Cook Islands can receive development grants, loans and financing.

The second aspect is the most disturbing. The PM’s personal request to the United States government for a loan to finance the Cook Islands seabed mining development? Does PM Mark Brown have the authority to commit the Cook Islands to a multi- million-dollar loan? Was Parliament, Cabinet or even the people of the Cook Islands aware that he was going to commit more loans and therefore more hardship, for the people of the Cook Islands?

US Republican Senator Rubio stated … “the Cook Islands offers a unique opportunity to reassess the country’s eligibility for development financing support for crucial efforts to develop critical mineral resources in support of U.S. national security interests and to compete with the People’s Republic of China”. This looks like an act by an Island leader that is desperate for loans to help prop up his country’s budget.

Confused Confucius

(Name and address supplied)