NZ PM Wants Dialogue
New Zealand Prime Minister John Keys (sic!) has told NZ Media that he is seeking renewed engagement with the Fiji Government.
Speaking to Radio Tarana this morning Keys says he wants to have dialogue with Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimama.
"I’m actually in the process of sending him a letter actually – for trying to engage in more dialogue. We have been a bit disappointed with the way things have gone this year. We are not – anti-Frank Bainimarama. We do want to see democracy restored in Fiji. And we are prepared to do whatever it takes – as financial sources and human sources – to allow that to take place."
And in what looks like a change of policy Keys says New Zealand is in no position to tell Fiji what to do as that will be left with leaders – in the upcoming [Dialogue] Forum.
"It’s not for New Zealand dictate the rules that should be in place for Fiji – but it’s gonna be a genuine engagement – where the other political parties are part of the process because - if they are not, then our views won't be sustainable."
Keys adds that discussions are on-going between Fiji’s Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and his NZ counter-part Murray McCully to see the return of a NZ High Commissioner to Fiji.
"Let’s see how things go and I’d like to see the same tract (sic!) that we were on before Todd Cleaver [The NZ High Commissioner] was declared persona-non-grata and you know that would be our preference because there are about 20,000 visas issued to Fiji in a year – so having a commission in operation in Suva is important." Read what readers say. Click "Comments" below.
Speaking to Radio Tarana this morning Keys says he wants to have dialogue with Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimama.
"I’m actually in the process of sending him a letter actually – for trying to engage in more dialogue. We have been a bit disappointed with the way things have gone this year. We are not – anti-Frank Bainimarama. We do want to see democracy restored in Fiji. And we are prepared to do whatever it takes – as financial sources and human sources – to allow that to take place."
And in what looks like a change of policy Keys says New Zealand is in no position to tell Fiji what to do as that will be left with leaders – in the upcoming [Dialogue] Forum.
"It’s not for New Zealand dictate the rules that should be in place for Fiji – but it’s gonna be a genuine engagement – where the other political parties are part of the process because - if they are not, then our views won't be sustainable."
Keys adds that discussions are on-going between Fiji’s Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and his NZ counter-part Murray McCully to see the return of a NZ High Commissioner to Fiji.
"Let’s see how things go and I’d like to see the same tract (sic!) that we were on before Todd Cleaver [The NZ High Commissioner] was declared persona-non-grata and you know that would be our preference because there are about 20,000 visas issued to Fiji in a year – so having a commission in operation in Suva is important." Read what readers say. Click "Comments" below.
13 comments:
Show us that you are genuine about it John, by lifting the travel bans as a start. Wasn't it you who fought tooth and nail to exclude Fijians from participating in the games in New Delhi? Are you really genuine or is it just a ploy shaft us? My suggestion to you, John, is to meet up with ex Fijians in NZ, esp Croz and Thakur Ranjit Singh to better understand the current situation in Fiji.
A skeleton "key" opens most doors, as well.
Language matters. It is difficult to imagine that two 'actuallys' in one sentence show anything other than hesitation and shilly-shallying? Measured language is what we must look out for. An indication that the thinking matches the words pronounced. Then engagement which will be profitable for both parties, with a parity of esteem demonstrated beyond ambiguity, might be possible.
Yes, give us a sign that you are for real ... Mr Key...
A good sign would be to lift the travel bans.... and smile when you say it on TV..
We were under the impression that when Helen Clark left, John Key would bring in some new initiatives, but it appeared he continued clinging on to Helen Clark's petticoat as far as foreign policy on Fiji was concerned.
I hope he has changed, as reported on this post which the mainstream media has failed to highlight. My lament is that New Zealand has so much experience in conflict resolution in the way it addressed Maori dissent and the Treaty of Waitangi issues. Sadly it failed to apply that experience curve on conflict resolution with Fiji.
In February this year, during the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Papua New Guinea, I had written as article on this subject, which the NZ Herald perspectives threw in its editorial trash-bin. I will submit that here for this site for a bit of lighter reading with the underlying message on neighbourly love.
The fact that this has only been reported by Radio Fiji thus far shows that the NZ and Australian media certainly doesn't see any significance in the PM's comments to Radio Tarana. If they did, it would be all over the news. John Key would also have his media advisors flogging the story to journalists if he wanted it out there. It seems to me to be some off-the-cuff comments that might represent a lowering of the hitherto strident tone in the relationship but not much more than that. Let's see how it develops over the coming days.
About bloody time!! Come on NZ show the Aussies the way. We will not be bullied and Frank is a hero to many people so trying to treat him like a villian aint helping anyone. Fiji might be small but we wont be oppressed.
New Zealand and Australia have achieved their aims by campaigning to have Fiji out of the Pacific Island Forum, the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Games, and various other ways such as ban on government officials and their families. Why should Fiji allow these two countries to have their Ambassadors back?
It's time that Fiji government officials stand their ground and keep the two Ambassadors out.
I suppose the change of tune from John Keys may have something to do with the big interest from Chinese businesses to invest in properties in Fiji and the successful launching of Air Pacific's Hong Kong route.
What Fiji have shown in the last couple of months is a resilience to weather the campaign by new Zealand and Australia to suffocate the running of the country. Fiji have shown that we can do without New Zealand and Australia's help and influence in the Pacific.
It's time for Pacific Island countries to reassess their relationship with these two countries and realise that we can surely live without them. It's time to give these two countries the boot from the Pacific Island Forum.
unfortunately the hurt that has been caused by the Govt in Aus and NZ has harmed their 'mana' in Fiji. However i think we are all neighbours and need each other. I do agree that Fiji has surprised Aus and NZ by gradually improving the economic environment even though they have tried their best to hurt Fiji.
I think we have relied too much on aid in Fiji in the past and this experience has shown that we need to become self reliant. All the aid in the world will not help if the people and the country are not making an economic contribution (eg PNG and many countries in Africa)
People's living standard in Fiji is now worse off than before the military coup. Pressure on this illegal government must continue.
@Nav, it would have been much worse under Qarase. It is time for all Fiji citizens to stand up and be counted for the good of the nation. Frank deserves everyone's support for his good intentions of moving Fiji in the right direction. Let us all look through the windscreen and not at the rear vision mirror, 2010 onwards.
@ nav
This government may be illegal to you and your propagandists who sit in some dark corners of the Australian and New Zealand foreign intelligence service office. For the silent majority in Fiji, this illegal government is way way better than those legal governments of the past who keep enriching their pockets and their friends as well.
Living without forced aid from Aussie and New Zealand is a blessing in disguise. Oppression through aid money MUST stop. Self-reliant is the way to go. That's what Frank and his Military Council are instilling in the mindset of the people. And we are supporting them all the way.
I can tell you people like the new Fiji and they are full of optimism.
Tell your other propagandists in Aussie and New Zealand that it's over. Your media arm the Fiji Times is slowly dying.
Yes, with Batley gone, what choice does this idiot have, other than to seek direct dialogue. Who will carry out Australia's neo-colonial policies now?
Bainimamarama was on the mark when he kicked out Batley. Pity he didn't kick the AH out long ago.
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