NZ announces easing of sanctions

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has announced the easing of some sanctions in Fiji, a programme of electoral assistance and development assistance in order to support progress toward elections next year.

In a New Zealand government statement, McCully said they welcome recent moves toward elections, including the release of the final constitution, and wants to support the elections process.

McCully said the Cabinet has also agreed some changes which recognize both the progress that has been made in Fiji and the need for support for free and fair elections.

He said the New Zealand government has decided to reinstate 10 post graduate scholarships for Fijian students which were suspended in 2006.

He said they have also agreed to formally revoke the sporting sanctions instituted in 2006.

He said while it has been their practice to provide exemptions from this ban in virtually every case, they judge that the time is now right to formally revoke the ban.

However, he said individual bans will still apply to members of teams who are caught by the sanctions on members of the Fijian government and the military.

McCully added over recent months, the New Zealand government has eased the operation of the travel sanctions, leaving them in place for key Fiji government and military members but easing the process around family members of less senior figures.

He said they intend to continue down this path as Fiji makes further progress toward free and fair elections.


Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa