Fijilive Hibiscus National Appeal Team to improve Fiji-NZ relations
23/12/2008 Fiji will soon set up a committee to work on improving relations with the New Zealand government.
This comes as the two countries are engaged in a stand-off over the travel sanction imposed by New Zealand following the 2006 military coup.
Fiji’s interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama will announce in “the next few days a special team to agenda and foster better relations with New Zealand”.
While calling for dialogue, Sayed-Khaiyum also urged Fiji’s people and the Pacific to “stand up” to “bullying tactics” by Fiji’s larger neighbours.
“We must be proud of our countries and not be intimidated. We need to constructively engage with each other but that engagement must be based on respect and for the difference between our countries and on respect for each other as a sovereign nation.”
He said no other country has treated Fiji the way Australia and New Zealand have and they are fond of telling other pacific countries how to deal with Fiji.
“The heads of their missions do not engage with the Government Ministers and the State at a political level,” he adds.
“The existence of diplomatic missions is to engage with the country in which they are based. The Australians and New Zealanders have not adhered to this basic principle.”
Sayed-Khaiyum also asked why Fiji’s interim Government is not being recognized despite a High Court ruling validating its appointment by the President.
“In 2000 both these two governments engaged fully with the then interim Government which the Court had declared was illegal. In 1987 it engaged with the decree-led Government for 5 years, following the removal of the Bavadra Government and the 1970 Constitution.
“Their inconsistency extends beyond Fiji. When governments were removed in Thailand and Pakistan, the Australia and New Zealand Governments continued full diplomatic engagement.
“One is then left with the only conclusion that the Governments of Australia and New Zealand are simply bullying the Pacific, believe they can engage with Fiji and the Pacific in whichever form they want and we in the Pacific are expected to just sit back like children and accept it.
“The abuse of diplomacy has extended to their missions, and not only by disengaging with the Fijian Government but by actively engaging with those who are opposed to the Government. They have been engaged in local politics, they are engaged in creating disquiet within the population. This is why (former NZ high commission Michael Green was sent back.
“It has also become apparent that Australia and New Zealand appear to be dictating to the rest of the Pacific Island countries as to how Fiji should be dealt with. They have even sought to preempt the outcome of the MCG report.”
The high commissions of Australia and New Zealand have yet to respond to the comments.
Fijilive
Reader Comments Name Email Comment Posted Comments
Posted By: Ula Nejad
Posted On: Dec 23 2008 12:39:28
Comment: Fiji was proposed to fulfil the sixth or seventh colony of the Australia Star depicted on their coat of arms. He he he. Why is Samoa, Tonga and the rest of the island nations allowed to speak their native language and English while Fiji is left with English? If I was to sit in that newly formed committee, NZ and Aust would not hear the end of it. You have to shove it to them really hard until they don't have any answers. Fiji has leverage over them and just not using it to its potential.
Ula Nejad Posted By: Sayde Muntz
Posted On: Dec 23 2008 13:50:41
Comment: It is rather ironic that New Zealand and Australia continue to place travel sanctions on innocent members of the public in Fiji and at the same time preach democracy. These two countries have for many years enjoyed the privilege of being able to travel in to Fiji without a visa - and staying for up to a period of 3-4 months. We all know that this same privilege does not apply likewise to Fiji citizens. Is it right that these two countries continue to preach democracy? I think not!
Sayde Muntz Posted By: ned kelly
Posted On: Dec 23 2008 14:10:06
Comment: It is sad to reach this far. Every action has purpose. We as a nation still not yet met the purpose of the coup. Aust and NZ have a purpose on sanctions which is very clear. So, this IG should understand to meet the purpose of the coup first and they will automatically meet the purpose of the sanctions. Without this happening, I think the sanctions will go worse. We are a nation using a lot of tactics to make our point right. On the other side sits these two countries, Aust/NZ, which have a lot of resources for our people. Pls, IG help this nation for election ASAP. This is the only solution ... no other way.
ned kelly Posted By: Samu
Posted On: Dec 23 2008 16:22:50
Comment: To SM, the citizens of NZ respect the immigration policies of other countries and as such are allowed to enter a lot of countries. If this applied to Fiji then boat loads of people would come here and never would want to leave. As it is there are thousands of people from Fiji overstaying.
Samu Posted By: sereyawa
Posted On: Dec 23 2008 17:30:40
Comment: One wonders if NZ & Australia understand that a court ruling has taken place - which means the the IG can run till the President decides what's to happen ie - Charter. Pretty cool scenario - what you reckon - so what's the fusssssssssss NZ & Australia?
sereyawa
Fiji and New Zealand are engaged in a game of diplomatic tit-fot-tat after expelling each other's High Commissioners.

This afternoon Fiji's military regime expelled acting New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Caroline McDonald.  The New Zealand government retaliated by expelling Fiji's High Commissioner to Wellington, Ponsami Chetty.  Both will be given a week to leave the country.

McDonald's expulsion was announced late this afternoon by Fiji's interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who said that it was "a direct result of McDonald's actions over the past year that have been contrary to the accepted international norms of diplomatic  behaviour".

The Fijian government has accused New Zealand and Australia of spying on Fiji, claiming they were tapping phone lines and listening in on members of the interim regime.

The New Zealand government has denied any "misbehaviour" by McDonald.

The round of diplomatic tit-for-tat was sparked by growing tensions between New Zealand and Fiji over sanctions put in place in the wake of the 2006 coup.  Members of the interim regime and their immediate families are barred from entering New Zealand.  Last week the Fijian regime threatened to expel New Zealand's High Commissioner unless the New Zealand government granted a visa to George Nacewa, the son of a senior regime official.  

But yesterday the interim regime apparently backed down on its threat, issuing a statement that it would not expel McDonald and announcing that it would establish a special team to improve relations between the two countries.

McDonald is the second New Zealand diplomat expelled by Fiji.  In June 2007 then-New Zealand High Commissioner Michael Green was expelled after being accused of interfering in the country's domestic affairs.

Last week ONE News Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver was deported as she arrived to cover the crisis.

Fiji's military overthrew the country's elected government in a military coup in December 2006.