Subscribe to Archivestuff Have your say The travel ban on Fijians responsible for the coup in December last year and members of the interim government has been extended to cover senior officials appointed by the military regime since then, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today. The Government's action is a response to the expulsion last month of New Zealand's High Commissioner to Suva, Michael Green. In addition, the visa ban is being widened to cover transit and high-level contract with Fiji's interim government is being further restricted.
Miss Clark also announced an extension to the existing ban on Fijians seeking seasonal work in New Zealand. It will now include Fijians who are already in New Zealand for other reasons, and they will not be given permits. Miss Clark said at a press conference the visa ban on coup perpetrators, the military, and members of Fiji's interim government and their families was having the twin effect of putting pressure on self-appointed prime minister Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama and his supporters, and was making people think twice about supporting the regime.
"The Government has decided that the existing visa ban is to be extended, with immediate effect, to cover all those appointed since the coup to head government departments and agencies, or placed on statutory boards, and their immediate family members," she said. "This extended ban also applies to transit visas. The earlier ban imposed on travel to New Zealand or transit by Fiji national or club sports teams will be maintained.
" Miss Clark said any contact at high level with Fiji's interim government would require the permission of herself or Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Government aid would continue through programmes that helped Fiji's poorest people, but it would not be channelled through the interim government. Miss Clark said the measures were designed to show Fiji's leaders how seriously New Zealand considered the expulsion of its diplomatic representative.
Cdre Bainimarama has given no reason for the action, other than claiming Mr Green was "interfering in Fiji's domestic affairs". That has been strongly denied, and Miss Clark has said Mr Green never went beyond his diplomatic duties. Mr Peters said in a statement that despite the consequences arising from the expulsion of our High Commissioner, New Zealand will help Fiji move towards elections.
"We remain ready to work with Fiji, Pacific Island Forum members, and other development partners to provide technical advice and assistance," Mr Peters said. "Before we get to that point, however, the interim government must demonstrate through actions - not just words - that it will undertake the steps necessary for a credible census and elections to be held within the timeframes already accepted by the interim government.
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