NZ PM Wants Dialogue

NZ PM Wants Dialogue

www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=24617

SUVA (Fiji Broadcasting Corporation/Pacific Media Watch): New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has told NZ news media that he is seeking renewed engagement with the Fiji government.

Speaking to Radio Tarana this morning, Key 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 – 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 resources and human resources allow -- to take place."

And in what looks like a change of policy, Key says New Zealand is in no position to tell Fiji what to do as that will be left with leaders in the upcoming [Pacific Islands] Forum.

"It’s not for New Zealand [to] dictate the rules that should be in place for Fiji – but it’s going to be a genuine engagement – where the other political parties are part of the process because - if they are not then our views wont be sustainable."

Key adds that discussions are ongoing between Fiji’s Foreign Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, and his NZ counterpart, 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 track that we were on before [acting Head of Mission] Todd Cleaver 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."

ENDS

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