Fiji threatens to quit Commonwealth

Commodore Frank Bainimarama. Photo / Greg Bowker

Fiji coup leader Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama is threatening to pull out of the Commonwealth, which he says continues to meddle in attempts to move Fiji forward.

"The Commonwealth has not tried to understand or listen to Fiji's aspirations, but have been posing the same questions over and over again about the return to democracy," he told the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation yesterday.

"I have clearly stated over and over again, what needs to be done, and when Fiji will return to democracy and this will be done with or without the support of Australia, New Zealand or the Commonwealth," he said. The Commonwealth suspended Fiji's membership after it refused to hold elections by this year.

Commodore Bainimarama said removing sanctions against the Fiji Government was the main item on the agenda when Fiji's Foreign Minister Inoke Kubuabola met NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully in Nadi last week.

Sanctions such as constraints on travel to New Zealand by people connected to the coup administration have been in place since December 2006.

Other issues such as agreement on the return of Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners to Fiji and the appointment of Fiji High Commissioners to Wellington and Canberra were minor issues, he said.

Although talks were continuing at a ministerial level he did not expect the High Commissioner appointments any time soon. Mr McCully said this week favourable consideration was being given to Fiji establishing an honorary consul in Auckland, and that Wellington expected to be able to replace its trade commissioner in Suva.

Mr McCully is expected to meet Commodore Bainimarama during next month's Hong Kong rugby sevens tournament.

- NZPA