(o+) NZ and Australian Policies Hindering Democracy Moves in Fiji

Letter to NZ Listener Jan 31-Feb 6 2009

I wholeheartedly support the sentiments in the well-balanced letter on Fiji by Crosbie Walsh of the University of the South Pacific in which he calls for a review of New Zealand's policy against that country (January 17).

As a New Zealander who has been resident in the Pacific Islands for most of the past 60 years, I think the hard-line policy of New Zealand and Australia against Fiji has been a disaster. Most Pacific Islanders feel Frank Bainimarama had no option but to move against a corrupt and racially divisive Government in Fiji. They also believe he is doing the right thing in refusing to hold an election until the voting system is truly democratic.

The travel ban imposed by New Zealand against family members of the Fiji regime and military has severely reduced the goodwill New Zealand has built up over the years throughout the Pacific.

Worst still, it has hampered Bainimarama's efforts to move towards a democratic government, and to improve the economy, because some of Fiji's best people have not wanted to lose their family's right to travel to New Zealand by co-operating with the regime.

The excuse offered by New Zealand leaders --that its "big stick" approach has the support of Pacific Forum leaders -- does not carry much weight, for Pacific leaders don't always represent the will of their people and most got to their position through corruption of varying degrees. They, more than most, know which side of their bread is buttered and are unlikely to bite the hand that has been feeding them so liberally for so long.

Certainly, there has been fault on both sides, but one would expect better of New Zealand political leaders than the childish posturing evident to date.

I hope some appreciation of the real situation will emerge and moves will be made towards a logical solution and a return to normal friendly relations.

Bob Rankin (Otahuhu, Auckland).