Fiji says interpretation is wrong
The Fijian military is concerned about what it terms, the wrong interpretation of the situation in the country by overseas governments, which is reflected in their travel advisories.
Military spokesman Major Neumi Leweni questioned how overseas countries are conducting their security assessments, adding that there were no threats to tourists. “We really don’t know where they are getting their information from,” he said.
This comes after the Australian government, Fiji’s key tourism market, continued to tell its citizens to reconsider the need to travel to Fiji.
The United Kingdom has joined Japan and New Zealand in downgrading its travel advisory for people travelling to Fiji following recent events.
In a release, the Tourism Action Group chairman Damend Gounder said visitors from the United Kingdom were advised to use caution while travelling to Fiji.
Only Australia continues to tell its citizens to reconsider their need to travel to Fiji.
Mr Gounder welcomed the downgrading of the advisory by the UK and said it reflected the continued stability in the country.
“We have maintained that since the events of December, there has been no danger to our visitors, in fact, the thousands of visitors who continue to enjoy their holidays in Fiji are a testimony to this fact.”
“We can only hope that Australia will follow the actions of the United Kingdom, Japan and New Zealand, in lowering its travel advisories,” he said.
He said the interim government had other countries that were willing to help it and sanctions by countries like New Zealand would not affect the country.
Major Leweni was reacting to a statement made by the New Zealand Duty Minister Ruth Dyson who said the actions of the military were illegal and unconstitutional.
Major Leweni said the military had said earlier said there were so many other countries that could provide aid and assistance to Fiji.
He said New Zealand was not the only country that could help Fiji.
Trade sanctions placed on Fiji by overseas governments include the withdrawal of the scheme for seasonal workers to New Zealand on December 7 2006, suspension of funding for Fiji’s military participation in the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands by the Australian government and a suspension of $3.19million in military aid by the United States of America and visa sanctions on coup and interim government leaders.
Special on location in Fiji report by The Mole
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