(Listen to November 7th 2009 for background on relations between Fiji and New Zealand.)
The Fijian Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama thinks that Australia and New Zealand have been interfering in Fijian politics. Last year Fiji was expelled from the Pacific Islands Forum because Bainimarama did not hold elections by the end of the year. This month he planned to hold his own meeting with a small number of Pacific Island countries in Fiji but Vanuatu has decided not to go and the meeting is cancelled. The Prime Minister of Vanuatu said that they could not support a country that did not have a democratic government.
Bainimarama believes that Australia told Vanuatu not to go to Fiji. Fiji, therefore, expelled an Australian diplomat and sent her back to Melbourne with only 24 hours notice.
Bainimarama also thinks that NZ is interfering in Fiji’s politics but John Key said that New Zealand tried to extend the hand of friendship. “We want to see democracy in Fiji,” he said.
Questions
Why is democracy in Fiji important to New Zealand?
How can New Zealand improve relations with Fiji?