That’s the request Australia’s Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja made of Solomons PM Manasseh Sogavare yesterday on his emergency dash to talk about the pending security deal with China. “We have asked Solomon Islands, respectfully, to consider not signing the agreement and to consult the Pacific family in the spirit of regional openness and transparency, consistent with our region’s security frameworks,” Seselja said. And he channelled NSYNC in his pitch for a second chance, telling Sogavare that if he has security needs, our hand is up. Australia is currently playing host to Commandant of the US Marine Corp David Berger – yesterday he said the Solomons matter, but we (aka Australia, New Zealand, the US) haven’t figured out a way to stop China’s charm offensive in the Pacific.