Fiji–New Zealand relations
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Fiji – New Zealand relations refers to foreign relations between New Zealand and Fiji. Relations between these two Pacific countries were previously amicable, and New Zealand has long been a significant development aid partner and economic partner for Fiji.
Relations after the 2006 coup
Relations were soured following a military coup in Fiji in December 2006, and the overthrowing of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's government by Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who replaced him as prime minister. Helen Clark's government in New Zealand was one of the leading voices in condemning the coup. New Zealand has placed sanctions in Fiji, reduced its aid, and had continuously demanded that Bainimarama allow a return to democracy. Bainimarama, in turn, has accused the New Zealand government of "bullying",[1] and of ignoring his efforts in reforming his country and preparing it for democratic elections. He has asked New Zealand to "be more sensitive, to understand the fundamentals and dynamics of Fiji's situation and not to make conclusions in haste".[2]
Bilateral relations sank to a new low in June 2007 when Fiji expelled New Zealand's
a claim which the New Zealand government denied.The following month, Fiji's Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry accused New Zealand of being excessive in its hostility to Bainimara's government, and hinted at a shift in Fiji's foreign policy towards Asia: "Fiji has friends in China, it has friends in Korea, it has friends in […] other Asian countries. We’re no longer relying on Australia and New Zealand."[5] Australia, like New Zealand, had strongly condemned the December 2006 coup, whereas China by contrast had advised the international community to show understanding towards the situation in Fiji.
Later that year, Helen Clark stated that Bainimarama would be "treated like a leper" if he attended a Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Tonga in October. Pacific Island nation members reacted by distancing themselves from New Zealand's stance, and Bainimarama did attend.[6] Clark avoided Bainimarama at the meeting.[7]
In November 2007, bilateral relations worsened further when a Fiji-born New Zealand businessman, Ballu Khan, was arrested in Fiji, accused of conspiring to assassinate Bainimarama and several other members of Fiji's government, and allegedly subjected to a severe beating by the police, which resulted in hospitalisation.[8] New Zealand's High Commission in Suva was denied access to Khan.[9] Fiji's Police Commissioner, Esala Teleni, commented: "There are efforts being made to create an unfavourable environment, that may provide excuses to certain lurking nations to interfere in the affairs of Fiji" – a transparent reference to New Zealand.[9] New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters reacted to the claim by dismissing it as "unsubstantiated nonsense".[10] Helen Clark likewise denied that New Zealand had played any part in any plot to assassinate Bainimarama: "[F]rom New Zealand's point of view, we have no part in financing or supporting any activities of such kind in Fiji."[11] Bainimarama published a statement confirming that he did not believe the Australian and New Zealand governments had been involved in the plot.[12]
In December 2007, as part of sanctions, New Zealand controversially banned forty-seven Fijian children, aged 10 to 13, from entering New Zealand to participate in an international scouting event.
In June 2008, Bainimarama stated that New Zealand and Australia were not genuinely trying to "move Fiji forward"; he described their pressure and demands as "insincere, hypocritical, unconstructive and obstructionist". He also stated that New Zealand and Australia "are condescending, hold neo-colonialist views and fail to recognise that Fiji is a sovereign state which needs to be treated with dignity and respect".[16] Bainimarama added that "Australia and New Zealand are bent on sabotaging the efforts of the interim Government in building strong and accountable institutions" for Fiji.[17]
Clark has said New Zealand will ease sanctions in Fiji once progress towards democracy becomes apparent. ("We need to see a roadmap. We need to see benchmarks met."[18]) Bainimarama has argued that such progress is already apparent. ("What else do they want? People come up and tell me you have to show us concrete steps – what further steps?"[18]) Clark has said New Zealand will help fund Fiji's election, when it takes place.[19]
In July 2008, Winston Peters met Bainimarama for the first time since the coup, in Fiji. The commodore raised the issue of New Zealand's sanctions, and Peters reaffirmed that sanctions would remain until the New Zealand government saw clear signs of an election being prepared.[20] Later that month, Clark accused Bainimarama of being "guilty of rather serious crimes, such as treason".[21] In September, she added that there would be no normalisation of New Zealand-Fiji relations until an elected government was back in power.[22]
On 15 December 2008, the New Zealand Government now under the leadership of John Key defied an ultimatum by Bainimarama threatening to expel New Zealand's acting high commissioner unless a visa is granted to the son, a Massey University student who is the son of Rupeni Nacewa, a secretary in the office of Fiji's president in Suva.[23]
On the same day, a
On 23 December 2008, Fiji followed through on its threat to expel New Zealand's high commissioner to the island nation, the expulsion came a day after the interim Prime Minister of Fiji announced he would not expel New Zealand's top diplomat because he wanted to improve his relationship with New Zealand. In retaliation to the expulsion, New Zealand declared Fiji's High Commissioner in Wellington
In January 2010, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully met Fiji Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabla in Nadi, and indicated that the two countries wished to improve their relations.[27] The New Zealand government issued a press release stating that the two governments "agreed to an additional Counsellor position being established for Fiji in Wellington, and for New Zealand in Suva, with approval in principle for Deputy Head of Mission appointments in each capital to follow soon".[28] New Zealand also specified that "the dialogue did not signal a change in Wellington's strong opposition to Fiji's military-led administration nor would sanctions be eased as a result".[29]
On 10 June 2011, as
Since 2014
Fiji and New Zealand have restored warm relations now that Sitiveni Rabuka has replaced Frank Bainimarama as Prime Minister of Fiji.
See also
References
- ^ "Helen Clark does not understand Fiji: PM Bainimarama" Archived 15 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Fiji government, 4 July 2007
- Radio New Zealand International. 19 June 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- Radio New Zealand International. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- ^ "Media Statement from PM's Office on Issuance of Persona Non-Grata to H.E Mr. Michael Green, NZ High Commissioner"[permanent dead link], Fiji government, 14 June 2007
- ^ "Chaudhry breaks silence to slag New Zealand", NiuFM, 9 July 2007
- ^ "'Leper' comment boomerangs", Dev Nadkarni, Islands Business, September 2007
- ^ "It’s sad: PM tells of Clark’s absence"[permanent dead link], Cheerieann Wilson, Fiji Sun, 17 October 2007
- ^ "11 arrested in alleged Fiji plot to kill head of government", International Herald Tribune, 4 November 2007
- ^ a b "'Lurking nations' in Fiji assassination plot". Stuff. 4 November 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- ^ "Assassination claim unsubstantial: NZ" Archived 2 August 2007 at archive.today, Radio Fiji, 5 November 2007
- The Dominion Post. Wellington. Archived from the originalon 6 January 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- ^ "Australia and New Zealand not implicated in assassination plot" Archived 8 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Fiji government, 6 November 2007
- ^ Field, Michael. "Fiji scouts banned from NZ". Stuff. Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- ^ "Fiji match pulled over visa row", BBC, 12 October 2007
- ^ "Media statement: New Zealand vs. Fiji match" Archived 11 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Oceania Football Confederation, 12 October 2007
- ^ "Australia 'insincere, hypocritical and obstructionist': Bainimarama", The Sydney Morning Herald, 20 June 2008
- ^ "Fiji's Interim PM Questions Forum Group's Merit", Solomon Times, 20 June 2008
- ^ NZPA. 18 October 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- NZPA. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- ^ "Bainimarama has done nothing to persuade NZ: Peters" Archived 17 July 2011 at archive.today, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, 16 July 2008
- ^ "Fiji PM may 'want top job'". The Press. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Fiji-NZ relations depend on legitimate govt: Clark", Fiji Daily Post, 1 October 2008
- NZPA. 15 December 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2011.[permanent dead link]
- NZPA. 16 December 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2011.[permanent dead link]
- Television New Zealand. 16 December 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- NZPA. 23 December 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- ^ a b "New Zealand to boost diplomatic relations with Fiji", Xinhua News Agency, 12 January 2010
- ^ "NZ, Fiji agree to improve diplomatic relations", New Zealand government press release, 12 January 2010
- ^ "Fiji and New Zealand rift thaws as diplomats appointed", Phil Mercer, BBC, 12 January 2010
- ^ "Press statement by the Fijian Government" Archived 17 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, 10 June 2011
- ^ Field, Michael (10 June 2011). "Fiji launches attack on New Zealand". Stuff. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
External links
- Fijian High Commission in New Zealand
- New Zealand High Commission in Fiji
- Official position of New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding its relations with Fiji
- The situation in Fiji and New Zealand's response: point of view of Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- "Media Statement from PM's Office on Issuance of Persona Non-Grata to H.E Mr. Michael Green, NZ High Commissioner"[permanent dead link], 14 June 2007: the official position of the Fiji government on the expelling of New Zealand's High Commissioner
- "Fiji values its bilateral relations with New Zealand"[permanent dead link], Fiji government statement, 22 June 2007
- "Fiji-New Zealand Relations In Crisis" Archived 14 June 2007 at archive.today, Pacific Magazine, 15 June 2007