PORT MORESBY - US President Joe Biden telephoned his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape on Thursday, after cancelling a historic meeting in the Pacific island nation, to tell him Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel in his place, the two leaders said.
Pacific island leaders will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a high-level United States delegation in Papua New Guinea on Monday.
Mr Biden pulled out of the visit to Papua New Guinea because of debt ceiling negotiations in Washington, a move seen by some as a blow to US diplomacy in the region.
The US President had been expected to meet 18 leaders from the region's main bloc, the Pacific Islands Forum, and sign a defence cooperation pact with Papua New Guinea on Monday.
Mr Marape told a press conference on Thursday that Mr Biden had called him and invited him to a US-Pacific island summit in Washington in September.
"I was privileged on behalf of the people that (Biden) placed a call directly to my cellphone... He conveyed his sincerest apologies that he cannot make it to our country," Mr Marape said, adding that Mr Biden said Mr Blinken would travel in his place.
This story is from the May 19, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 19, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Train staff strike over Olympic bonuses
PARIS - Drivers and ticket inspectors on Paris commuter trains launched a one-day strike on May 21 to pressure management over bonuses for the Olympics in July and August, leading to criticism of union tactics.
LIGHTNING STRIKE READY TO GO BOOM OVER 1,00M
Fairly new Fitzsimmons-Curatolo pairing likely to gain traction if Derby hope scores
Could Shein lose its shine?
Activists may yet have the power to disrupt the fast-fashion brand's growth as governments crack down on fast fashion’s harms.
More firms aware lack of focus on sustainability hurts bottom line
78% of small firms in survey lost existing or potential business due to emission demands
Haidilao eyes global growth after positive US debut
Super Hi International Holding, the international operator of China's popular hot-pot chain Haidilao, is planning to boost its international footprint following a listing in the United States that has been well received.
Pixar to lay off 175 workers as it returns focus to feature films
LOS ANGELES Pixar will stop making original shows for Disney+ as part of a broader retrenchment, resulting in layoffs that will reduce its workforce by 14 per cent.
28 properties part of 530m in cash, assets seized from duo who fled
More than $530 million in cash and assets, including 28 properties, have been issued with prohibition of disposal orders or seized from two foreigners who have fled the country.
S’pore army gets more accurate, ergonomic light machine gun
Infantry soldiers here have started using a more reliable, accurate and ergonomic light machine gun (LMG) that is better suited for close-quarters combat.
Rising to challenge of building MRT tunnel above KPE
Gap of 37cm is all that separates a section of TEL from expressway tunnel beneath it
Trump opts not to take witness stand in hush money case
Defence rests, clearing way for jurors to start deliberations in criminal case
