(o) Independent Appraisal of Effects of ANZ Policies

Notes from a Fiji friend
  This is a quick response on the negative consequences of Australian-New Zealand sanctions against Fiji.

1. The sanctions over the last 2years and 10 months have not significantly contributed to changing the political or constitutional situation in Fiji, if anything they have led to a deterioration since April 2009 with the abrogation of the 1997 constitution and the imposition of the Public Emergency Regulations (PER).
2. Efforts had negative portrayal of Fiji’s security situation (fortunately largely ignored by Aussies and Kiwis) affect the country’s tourism industry on which very many ordinary Fiji people rely for employment and to market their goods (handicrafts to vegetables and fruits) and services; this industry also relies heavily on the import of food and beverages from ANZ.
3. Travel sanctions have seriously affected the quality of civil service appointments and appointments to boards of statutory bodies and state owned enterprises. The only people willing and qualified to be appointed are military personnel and there has been a ‘militarisation’ of the civil service. The sanctions have been counterproductive.
4. Intrusive requirements (personal and financial) for visa approval to ANZ have increased negative perception of ANZ.
5. Fijians can see the double standards in ANZ approach to Burma, Thailand and China when compared to ‘tough’ stance against Fiji.
6. While politically, the ANZ approach to Fiji has not made an iota of difference, economically ordinary people have been affected by the negative image of the country with respect to tourism (Fiji has had to invest heavily in marketing) and with regards to investment. It is hard to say how many potential investors have been put off by ANZ negative framing of the country. This has affected economic growth and employment prospects and created negative social conditions.
7. An economically prosperous Fiji will be a significant market for some ANZ firms and products, it will be good for the region in a multitude of ways –and therefore growing the economy irrespective of the current political impasse will be good for Fiji, ANZ and the region as a whole –the current sanctions are not designed to foster economic growth.
8. The poorer Fiji gets, the worse it’s predicament with respect to social and political stability – and the more difficult will it be to turn the country around. This will be a much deeper problem to deal with then the current ‘political feuding among the political elite’.
9. Bainimarama has repeatedly called ANZ PMs and most recently the Samoan PM to visit Fiji and see what the situation is in the country and to dialogue. These invitations have not been taken up. This is no strategy to help the country return to democracy.
10. As the negative approach by ANZ continues, other countries and especially China are warming up to Fiji in a significant way. Fiji’s ‘turning North’ policy will ultimate erode the influence of ANZ not only in Fiji but more generally in the region.
11. ANZ’s sanctions and generally approach has also contributed to serious divisions among Pacific island states and exposed the Forum as an instrument of ANZ, thereby seriously undermining its credibility.
12. A divided region is likely to fall more readily under the influence of countries and agencies that challenge ANZ’s position in the region