Bainimarama's NZ ban to be relaxed
Fiji's military leader and self-appointed prime minister Frank Bainimarama will be allowed into New Zealand briefly en route to the Pacific Island forum later this month, it has been confirmed.
Bainimarama and members of his interim government have been banned from entering New Zealand since overthrowing the elected Fijian government in a December 2006 coup.
Foreign Affairs Ministry officials confirmed today the ban would be relaxed to enable Bainimarama and officials to transit through Auckland airport on their way to Nuie, where the forum is being held.
They defended the decision to relax the rules on the grounds that the forum wanted an update from Fiji on its previous pledge to hold an election by March 2009.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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I'd like to know the credentials of 'spg4916' to see what his source of information was to derive his comments on what FB 'has done to Fiji and the people'.
If it was the NZ media, hmm well. Bit one sided as usual
At last the KIWIS are coming to senses. Well done shabang a bang
Why does this not surprise me? Man I'll be glad when this government of hypocrites is gone
What's the point of having a principle only to relax it. Besides unless they have moved Nuie isn't coming through NZ kind of taking the long way round ! Make him take a boat ...
More embarrassingly and unbelievably limp-wristed politics from the government. Here's an idea, how about actually making a point and sticking to it on general principle? What kind of message are they sending to us, the citizens? Take a stand over something you feel strongly about, but then compromise your integrity for lame diplomatic reasons.
Let Bainimarama take a rowboat to the forum for all I care.
Isn't being in transit at Auckland Airport, deemed to be international territory? So he technially isn't in NZ in that case
After what that nasty ignorant person calling himself the Prime Minister has done to Fiji and the people - keep him out of NZ let him pass through somewhere else on his way to the Pacific Island forum.
So the labour govt shows its stupidity and hypocracy yet again.last year a Fijian goalkeeper whose fiances brother was a reservist in the army wasnt allowed into NZ to play in a Football world cup qualifiers by the same govt that is letting MR Bainimarama and his cronies into the country.Doesnt make sense whats the point of having a ban on fijian military and govt?
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Do you think politicians spend too much on travel?
At least this doesn't allow him to whine that New Zealand is making it impossible to attend. Anything that resolves the Fiji situation faster is fine by me.