New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said New Zealand wants to work with Fiji to help towards elections next year and not direct criticism at it.
Key is in the Marshall Islands for the annual Pacific Islands Forum, from which Fiji is suspended.
According to Radio New Zealand, Key said Fiji will be discussed by leaders this year as that country inches towards elections next year.
Key said New Zealand views Fiji’s new constitution as a positive step, even if it is not perfect; in particular the provision giving a pardon for any action towards historic coups and related actions since 2000.
He said New Zealand could sit back and criticize provisions such as the immunity but he would rather concentrate on free and fair elections next year.
The forum continues today with a series of discussions, in the run up to the leaders’ retreat tomorrow.
Story by: Dhanjay Deo
