NZ considers freezing bank accounts, ban transit

Duncan Wilson
New Zealand favours ramping up sanctions against members of Fiji’s interim regime such as freezing bank accounts and banning transit through the country, if it does not see “practical measures” toward democratic elections.

The country would monitor Fiji’s “democratic progress” over the long-term and remain poised to respond.
As ISLANDS BUSINESS went to press, Bainimarama had stated his cabinet’s agreement “in principle” with the Fiji-Forum finding that elections could be held in March 2009.

Meanwhile, New Zealand was conducting a “full review” of its bilateral relationship following Fiji’s expulsion of its envoy Michael Green.

ISLANDS BUSINESS has been told that New Zealand favours measures that target members of interim Prime Minister Voreqe “Frank” Bainimarama’s cabinet, rather than the more general moves such as aid suspension or tourism warnings that would harm the Fijian people.

Officials are considering toughening New Zealand’s visa-freeze on interim members to stop them transiting through the country. They are also looking at freezing members’ bank accounts and investments, and believe a number of international conventions could justify the move.

NZ’s UN move unsuccessful

A week after Green’s expulsion, prime minister Helen Clark told reporters at a media conference that New Zealand would again go to the United Nations and point out “the great irony” of Fijians working as peacekeepers when the military-ruled country did not enjoy peace and security.

New Zealand had already cancelled talks on the continental shelf and updated its travel advisory to warn of “some risk” to Kiwi visitors. But senior New Zealand officials told ISLANDS BUSINESS that Clark’s renewed appeal to the UN was unlikely to succeed. Officials told Parliament’s foreign affairs select committee that the UN was already “keenly aware” of the country’s position on the use of Fijian troops.

“I anticipate that discussion will continue but we shouldn’t underestimate the difficulty the UN finds itself in at a time of unprecedented demand on the UN to provide troops,” ministry of foreign affairs and trade deputy secretary, Alan Williams said.

But Williams said the UN was keen to retain skilled peacekeepers. “The ability of Fiji personnel to be able to be skill-setted to the level where they can carry out peacekeeping operations will degrade quite quickly over time and that is a fact that is in the UN minds right now.”

NZ to meet European Union

Peters has kept in touch with the European Union about New Zealand’s response. Both he and Clark met with the EU commissioner with responsibility for foreign aid late month. EU aid to Fiji is worth more than F$ 215 million (Euro $100 million).

A spokesman for Peters said New Zealand’s foreign minister would not try to influence the EU’s aid programme: “That is entirely a decision for them to make.”

Peters said his country’s response to the “grave act of expulsion” would depend on Fiji taking “practical measures” towards holding elections.

These steps would include voter education and an updated list of registered voters, he said.

“What you’re hearing from Fiji’s regime is quite an extraordinary argument: that is by merely announcing that in principle you support democratic elections then everybody should jump and respond as if they have happened already,” Peters said

“We’re interested in the facts. The assessment timeline said that elections were possible within 18 months to two years [November 2008 to March 2009]. Fiji needs to show us in practical terms what it’s talking about, because we want to assist and prepare the elections, but show us something that’s credible.”

Peters said this talk of assistance does not represent a softening of New Zealand’s position.