Lifting of PER based on internal assessment

The lifting of the PER and bringing forward of constitution consultations to February have been done based on Fiji’s internal assessments and needs and not out of a desire to have Australian sanctions eased.

This comment by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, is being made in reply to Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd’s “wait and see” policy.

Kubuabola said that the Australian policy of isolating Fiji has failed and the Australian claim to be speaking for all Pacific Island Forum countries on Fiji rings hollow.

He added that the “wait and see” policy and ever changing demands by Australia reflect Rudd’s inability to formulate a meaningful policy on Fiji and are not seen as useful either in Fiji or elsewhere in the global community.

He said Fiji looks forward to the day that Australia will seek to engage with Fiji without threat or condition in recognition that each country must be allowed to choose their own path for a prosperous future.

Radio Australia has reported Rudd saying that the Australian government will need to see real change in Fiji before it considers lifting targeted sanctions on Fiji.

Rudd added that Australia’s sanctions were aimed at the government, not the people of Fiji and he hopes the lifting of the PER would result in actual changes.


Story by: Sneh Chaudhry
[Source: MINFO]