KEY POINTS:
The Government has banned the 16 international Rugby Sevens teams starting their parade from the front of Parliament Buildings - where it traditionally starts - because that would mean hosting the Fijian team.
Sports Minister Trevor Mallard confirmed yesterday Parliament was a no-go zone for the parade and
that he would not attend any games involving the Fijians.
In most of the previous seven Sevens tournaments in Wellington, the Government has hosted the teams in Parliament and Mr Mallard has spoken before a parade through Wellington streets, but not this year.
"The Government is not hosting the start of the Sevens parade as it was felt that is was inappropriate to do so, given the participation of the Fijian team in the tournament, and our Government's serious concerns over the military takeover of Fiji and the ousting of its democratically elected Government by the army."
He added that Fijian Government and military officials would not be granted visas to enter New Zealand to watch the Sevens.
He said the same approach had been taken in 2001 after the 2000 coup in Fiji.
The circumstances of that coup were, ironically, different.
The present coup leader, and self-proclaimed Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, was instrumental in ending the siege of Parliament and capturing the 2000 coup leaders before installing an interim prime minister pending fresh democratic elections.
He was regarded as having played a positive role in helping to restore democracy and was able to attend the 2001 Sevens tournament in a private capacity.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who hosted the commander socially at the 2001 tournament, will give a speech in Orewa tonight that is expected to criticise his former friend.
The Fiji team arrived in Wellington yesterday.
Meanwhile, it was reported from Suva yesterday that Commodore Bainimarama had said his meeting with a senior delegation from the Pacific Islands Forum was positive and they understood there was "no turning back".
The delegates in the eminent persons' group (EPG), which included retired Australian defence force chief General Peter Cosgrove, had been sent to Fiji to report on the situation there in the wake of the coup. "Everything that we expected for them to ask us about, they asked us this morning," Commodore Bainimarama said.
"I think they know that there's no turning back and they understand that - I didn't have to tell them. But all I can say is that it was very positive.
"Fiji is ready to engage with groups like the EPG who are willing to come and observe a peaceful resolution rather then hearing or reading comments or views emanating from secondary sources like the media."
Members of the group were tightlipped about the meetings, which included brief discussions with President Ratu Josefa Iloilo at Government House.
- AAP
