Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

NZ’s Fiji Indian Assoc presses John Key to keep talking to interim regime

Posted at 08:08 on 20 April, 2009 UTC

The Fiji Indian Association in Wellington has written to the Prime Minister John Key asking him to continue to talk with the regime in Fiji.

Its President, Salim Singh, says the association condemns the draconian measures taken by the interim government and its leader Frank Bainimarama.

But he says New Zealand should establish an eminent persons group to negotiate with the regime and help Fiji return to normalcy.

Mr Singh says Fiji is the hub of the region and effort must be made to ensure it remains outside the influence of other powers.

“Once you close the door on negotiations, the regime turns elsewhere and if you look at the geopolitical fights in the Pacific at the moment there is one country, China which is doggedly fighting for dominance in the South Pacific and we do not wish countries like China to play such a dominant role in the Pacific, that they can start affecting the systems of Government.”

Salim Singh says there is a common misconception that Indo Fijians support Commodore Bainimarama but this is not true, as coups hurt everyone in the country.