Aust Cop More Flack From Fiji

Aust Cop More Flack From Fiji

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/aust-cop-more-flack-from-fiji-20100824-13klv.html

SUVA (Sydney Morning Herald/AAP/Pacific Media Watch): Fiji has made some ground in restoring their sacked judiciary, but Australia and New Zealand have slowed the process down, Fiji's Chief Justice Anthony Gates says.

Gates said there had been "satisfactory restoration" in Fiji since self-appointed Prime Minster Commodore Frank Bainimarama sacked the judiciary in 2009, the Fijivillage website reported.

"There are no magic wands available for this process however," Gates said in Suva on Monday.

"Australia and New Zealand have hampered our progress in restoring the judiciary at all levels.

"In the world, this assault on, and interference with, a neighbouring states judiciary is unprecedented."

In addition to sacking the judiciary, Commodore Bainimarama, who is also the nation's military leader, scrapped the 1997 constitution and introduced media censorship.

Meanwhile, Fiji's interim government has accused Australian media outlet, News Ltd, of leading a hostile media campaign against the Pacific island nation.

Fiji's Permanent Secretary for Information, Sharon Smith-Johns, said articles published recently in News Ltd owned newspapers directly slammed the country's tourism industry and economy.

"It begs the question that most in Fiji are asking, is the Australian government using News Ltd as a tool to punish Fiji and cripple our economy?" said Smith-Johns, who was born in Australia.

"These stories are so unbalanced it boils down to nothing but propaganda."

Smith-Johns said the government had lodged a formal complaint about the reports which "perpetrate negativity about Fiji".

Commodore Bainimarama overthrew Fiji's elected government in a bloodless coup in 2006 and said the country would be ready for elections and a return to democracy in 2014, after the constitution and electoral systems had been reformed and corruption eliminated.

He has said Australia and NZ are undermining efforts to achieve that goal.

ENDS