From Bahaitext

The National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of the Cook Islands, the Eastern Caroline Islands, the Fiji Islands, Kiribati, the Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and the Western Caroline Islands

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

279.1 The Universal House of Justice has asked us to convey the following message which requires your immediate attention.

279.2 Ever since the Peace Statement was released in 1985, the House of Justice has entertained the hope that leaders in the Pacific Region would, in a joint effort, take initiatives towards the realization of world peace. This expectation was brightened by the immediate, positive responses the Peace Statement received from two leaders, Sir Thomas Davis of the Cook Islands and the late President Amata Kabua of the Marshall Islands, both of whom subsequently visited the Bahá’í World Center. One of the purposes of the establishment some time ago of the Bahá’í International Community office in the Pacific was to encourage these leaders towards constructive endeavors of global significance, but, alas, for a number of reasons it was not possible to sustain the activities of that office. However, this purpose need not be abandoned.

279.3 The House of Justice has decided to send an emissary to call on key leaders of your countries, particularly heads of state, to emphasize their role in advancing the cause of peace. Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, a representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations, is to undertake this mission. Following a briefing at the Bahá’í World Center, he will travel directly to the Pacific region, beginning his itinerary in Western Samoa on 9 September and ending it in Palau on 22 December 1998.

279.4 You are each urgently and warmly requested to take the following action. Arrange an appointment for Mr. Ballerio to meet your head of state during the period of his stay in your country, as indicated in the enclosed schedule. Give as your reason for requesting such an appointment that a representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations, who is based in Geneva, will be traveling in the Pacific area at the request of the Universal House of Justice, the head of that Community; and he has been asked by the House of Justice to seek an opportunity to convey its greetings to the head of state. If it can be arranged, a Continental Counselor will be present in your community so as to render any assistance that may be called for and, along with a member of your Assembly, to accompany Mr. Ballerio during his meeting with the head of state.

279.5 As a support to your own ongoing efforts to maintain good relations with your government, you should feel free to take advantage of Mr. Ballerio's presence in your country to arrange for him to meet with other high government officials, if time permits.

279.6 Mr. Ballerio will communicate directly with you concerning the particulars of his travel schedule and other relevant matters.

279.7 We are to assure you of the ardent prayers of the House of Justice in the Holy Shrines that your efforts to assist in this important activity may be abundantly confirmed by the Blessed Beauty.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

FOR DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARIAT