New Zealand Government Foreign Minister Phil Goff called Fijian High Commissioner
HE Isimeli
Bainimara in to his Wellington office at noon today to express directly New
Zealand's
condemnation of events in Fiji and the failure of authorities to make progress
towards
restoring democracy.
"I deeply regret that our relationship with Fiji once one of our
warmest and most friendly is now destined to become cool and distant.
"A normal relationship between our two countries can only be
re-established when there is evidence of action by Fijian authorities to take
the country back to
democratic processes and a non racist constitution.
"New Zealand is appalled at the damage Fiji is doing to itself, at its
near economic collapse and the reputation it is fast gaining for chronic political
instability.
"Much more has been damaged by this than Fiji's friendly image. Fiji's
demise is harming the reputation of the entire South Pacific.
"The wider international community today sees the region as being one
of instability and insecurity.
"I expressed to Mr Bainimara our concern at the lack of effective
authority in Fiji and at the apparent ability of Speight and his extremists
to call the shots.
"We seem likely to see a further repeat of the indecisiveness and lack
of resolve to move against criminal elements which marked the eight weeks of
the hostage
crisis.
"I have made Mr Bainimara fully aware of the measures taken against
Fiji by the New Zealand Government.
"I have asked him to convey in the strongest possible terms to
President Iloilo our concern at Fiji's failure to make progress towards the
re-establishment of
democratic government.
ENDS
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