Over the past year, the Pacific region has been anything but peaceful, with a military coup in Fiji and a bitter stoush between Solomon Islands and the Australian led RAMSI mission.

But despite fears the regional spats would derail the annual meeting of Pacific nations last week, many came away from the forum claiming it had come of age as a robust regional organisation.

But others say the meeting in Tonga exposed the 16-member group as impotent and on the verge of disintegration. This report on the 2007 Pacific Islands Forum from our Pacific correspondent Sean Dorney.

Sean Dorney: A New Zealand Air Force Orion brought the Pacific's Iron Lady - Prime Minister Helen Clark - to Tonga for a showdown. But it was a ceremonial warrior not the Fiji coup leader who challenged and greeted her.

Soon after, an Australian VIP jet brought in Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. He had no intention of engaging with the man who overthrew Fiji's elected government.

Alexander Downer, Australian Foreign Minister: I'm not proposing to have any bilateral meetings with him while he's here.

Sean Dorney: But Mr Downer said Australia knew what it wanted from the forum meeting.

Alexander Downer: We would very much like to see a return to democracy in the first quarter of 2009 - that's our ambition.

Sean Dorney: And as for the dispute with Solomon Islands over the Australian led Regional Assistance Mission:

”What I would like out of this forum meeting is a continuation of support from the forum countries for RAMSI.” Alexander Downer

Alexander Downer: What I would like out of this forum meeting is a continuation of support from the forum countries for RAMSI.

Sean Dorney: Early on, Fiji's military commander and Interim Prime Minister was not speaking to the foreign media.

At the forum's official opening, a rain squall drenched those waiting to perform. The rain deterred nobody. Commodore Bainimarama got a rousing reception. But Prime Minister Clark maintained the Pacific's leaders did not share the Tongan public enthusiasm.

Helen Clark, New Zealand Prime Minister: I think everybody feels that it's not a good look for the South Pacific when there's a coup culture in a member country.

Sean Dorney: And she was annoyed the Solomon Islands Prime Minister was boycotting the forum because he didn't like the results of the review he'd demanded last year.

Helen Clark: Given that they're not here, there's going have to be some way of the forum going to the Solomons and saying, "Look, you say you want RAMSI to stay, here's a report that actually improves the way in which it's governed. Now, what else are you wanting to put on the table?"

Sean Dorney: The Solomon Islands Foreign Minister did turn up, but he boycotted the sessions dealing with RAMSI. At last year's forum, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, was the strongest supporter of this year's missing man - the Solomons PM, Manasseh Sogavare.

”I'm very disappointed that my friend, Sogavare, didn't come…” Sir Michael Somare

Sir Michael Somare, PNG Prime Minister: I'm very disappointed that my friend, Sogavare, didn't come because it would be better in person to explain the situation to, to the leaders.

Sean Dorney: Tonga has had its own share of troubles over the past year.

Only nine of its 30 MPs are elected by the people, and although change is slowly coming to the kingdom, a pro-democracy rally last November boiled over into riots that destroyed much of the central business district of Nuku'alofa.

Tongan Protestor: The Government want political reform in 2010, but the people want democracy.

Sean Dorney: Emergency regulations are still in force and these protesters were kept well away from the leaders.

Tongan Protestor: It is quite clear from the current actions of the Sevele Administration that he only wishes overseas visitors see the better pieces of Tonga rather than the frustrations in the people.

”Australia and New Zealand say they're satisfied reform in Tonga is on the way.”

Sean Dorney: While these people were more concerned about winning democracy in Tonga than restoring it in Fiji, Australia and New Zealand say they're satisfied reform in Tonga is on the way.

Alexander Downer: New Zealand sent some troops, we've sent some police. We've tried to help stabilise the situation here in Tonga. The situation has stabilised, and now working through the process of political reform.

Sean Dorney: The leaders went to the beautiful northern island of Vava'u, where they met and hammered out what they believed to be an acceptable way forward for Fiji - elections in early 2009.

Helen Clark: It was important that there be a credible road map now developed by the Fiji Interim Government in conjunction with the Forum Joint Working Group.

Alexander Downer: As the road map unfolds and assuming it's consistent with the objectives of the forum, then we can consider winding back some of the measures that we've taken against Fiji.

” I think we've made it quite clear that Fiji will continue on the existing constitution and the laws.” Feleti Sevele

Feleti Sevele, Tongan Prime Minister: I think we've made it quite clear that Fiji will continue on the existing constitution and the laws. The road map will be according to the constitution and the laws. Anything beyond that is not acceptable.

Sean Dorney: Fiji's Attorney-General seemed to agree.

Aihaz Sayed-Khariyum, Fiji Attorney-General: The undertaking that has obviously been given to the forum that any changes would be brought about through constitutional and legal means.

Helen Clark: We still have to keep Fiji's feet to the fire, with respect to seeing that the commitments given are actually implemented.

Sean Dorney: But Commodore Frank Bainimarama toyed with the media, suggesting he could amend the constitution to change the voting system.

Journalist: Commodore, will you be standing in the election?

Commodore Frank Bainimarama, acting Fijian President: No.

Sean Dorney: He challenged the assertion he was angry with New Zealand.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama: How can you figure that one out? By looking at me in the eye?

Sean Dorney: And he scoffed at the road map everybody else was talking about.

”We've done all we, that is, that needs to be done to prepare us for elections.” Commodore Frank Bainimarama

Commodore Frank Bainimarama: I don't know why you people are getting all these lies about a road map. You know, people keep telling me, ‘We want to see a concrete path too.’ We've done all we, that is, that needs to be done to prepare us for elections.

Sean Dorney: The Commodore was creating a roadblock.

Government official: Sir, we will have to go. We're blocking the road.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama: I'm sorry. See you guys later. Take care.

Journalist:We've just spoken to Commodore Bainimarama. He seems to think that he can make changes to the constitution ahead of the next election.

Helen Clark: The forum's pretty clear that the process forward in Fiji has to be credible and that rules out any shonky changes to the constitution.

Everything's going to hinge on whether this is a credible road map and that doesn't mean those who've seized power by the barrel of a gun are dictating changes.

Sean Dorney: It has been only in the recent past that the forum has adopted ways to deal with difficult problems within member countries.

It's called the Biketawa Declaration, after an atoll in Kiribati, where the leaders agreed to a formal process of helping or disciplining members in trouble.

Helen Clark: I still have ringing in my ears - David Lange's words about the 1987 Pacific Islands Leaders Forum when he came after two coups had been conducted in Fiji and no-one even spoke about them.

”I think now with the Biketawa Declaration in place from 2000, the forum has a clear way of moving.” Helen Clark

I think now with the Biketawa Declaration in place from 2000, the forum has a clear way of moving.

Alexander Downer: So I think this is the best imaginable outcome - certainly from Australia's point of view - the best imaginable outcome we could have got on Fiji.

A very good outcome on Solomon Islands, as well, with an endorsement of the review that has taken place of RAMSI and a mechanism, again, for engagement between the forum and the Solomon Islands Government.

Sean Dorney: The Solomons Foreign Minister is not so confident.

Patteson Oti, Solomon Islands Foreign Minister: It's not as simple or straightforward as it sounds. Of course, I have to take the report of the forum to Cabinet.

Sean Dorney: But Sir Michael Somare will be speaking directly to Prime Minister Sogavare.

Sir Michael Somare: I'll be getting in touch with him. I've spoken to the Foreign Minister. We'll be getting in touch. On the way back, I'm stopping in Honiara, anyway, and he'll be out there on Saturday to meet me, so I'll talk to him.

Sean Dorney: The 2007 Pacific Islands Forum is over. Its success will now be judged on how events unfold in Fiji and Solomon Islands.

Helen Vatsikopoulos: Pacific correspondent Sean Dorney reporting.