By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – New Zealand’s prime minister has announced that Fiji must establish a legitimate government committed to reform before relations with Fiji can be mended.

“The return of a legitimate government committed to advancing a process of reform and national reconciliation would allow us to start down the road of normalization and reconciliation,” said New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark.

Clark believes Fiji’s path to progress should start with the Pacific Islands Forum proposals held in Niue in August. Specifically, Clark suggests that Fiji’s interim government should strive to avoid isolation from the other Pacific communities.

While Clark admits that establishing a successful dialogue between stakeholders in Fiji would be difficult, she also is hopeful that “given goodwill and commitment on all sides, an inclusive and independent political dialogue process could generate outcomes acceptable to all.”

Despite many difficulties facing Fiji’s return to democratic rule, Clark has observed “widespread willingness” among leaders to find solutions, implement reform, and, most of all ,arrive at a reconciliation.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Village – Clark Calls On Fiji To Engage – 01 October 2008

Fiji Daily Post – Fiji -NZ relations depend on legitimate govt: Clark – 01 October 2008