Govt warns sanctions called for by democracy groups will affect ordinary Fijians

The Fiji government said organizations like the Fiji Democracy Movement based in Australia should realize that any calls for economic or trade union sanctions against the country will affect the ordinary Fijians.

Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Colonel Pio Tikoduadua said while the government cannot do much on the suggestions being made by the movement's Usaia Waqatairewa, the fact remains that people from Australia and NZ are still rating Fiji highly as a holiday destination.

Waqatairewa has spoken to the Australian media, saying the movement is now looking at strategic options to gather support for sanctions against Fiji and take drastic measures that can affect Fiji's tourism industry and cripple the economy.

Colonel Tikoduadua said sanctions will never work.