Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06WELLINGTON851
2006-11-01 04:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Wellington
Cable title:
NEW ZEALAND'S REACTION TO POLITICAL TENSIONS IN FIJI
how-toVZCZCXRO5861 PP RUEHPB DE RUEHWL #0851 3050411 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 010411Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3435 INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 4589 RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHMFITT/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0016 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY PRIORITY 0607 RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA 0527
C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000851
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR CASC ASEC FJ NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND'S REACTION TO POLITICAL TENSIONS IN FIJI
Classified by DCM David J. Keegan. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000851
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR CASC ASEC FJ NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND'S REACTION TO POLITICAL TENSIONS IN FIJI
Classified by DCM David J. Keegan. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In discussions November 1 regarding political tensions in Fiji
with Heather Riddell, Director of Pacific Division at Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT),Post learned that GNZ will shortly
be issuing a formal statement declaring that Fiji's military
commander Bainimarama is obliged to abide by his constitutional
obligations to the democratically elected government of Fiji.
2. (C) The Chief of New Zealand's Defense Force will also be calling
Bainimarama directly and exhorting him not to take any action which
would undermine the Fijian constitution. The New Zealand High
Commissioner in Suva will also be calling on Fiji's Vice President to
express support for the government and relay the warning they have
expressed to Commander Bainimarama. MFAT is reviewing their travel
advisory for New Zealanders in Fiji to take into account possible
emergency action procedures.
3. (C) New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters separately told
the Ambassador that the New Zealand Government had concluded that
many Fijians shared Bainimarama's frustration with the amnesty for
those involved in the previous coup. Nonetheless, his actions were
completely contrary to acceptable democratic practice and must be
stopped. GNZ had decided that the Chief of Defense Force would be
the one to call Bainimarama because he would be far more likely to
listen seriously to a military colleague than a foreign government
official. Peters added that New Zealand and Australia are absolutely
of one mind in their approach to Fiji.
McCormick
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR CASC ASEC FJ NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND'S REACTION TO POLITICAL TENSIONS IN FIJI
Classified by DCM David J. Keegan. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In discussions November 1 regarding political tensions in Fiji
with Heather Riddell, Director of Pacific Division at Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT),Post learned that GNZ will shortly
be issuing a formal statement declaring that Fiji's military
commander Bainimarama is obliged to abide by his constitutional
obligations to the democratically elected government of Fiji.
2. (C) The Chief of New Zealand's Defense Force will also be calling
Bainimarama directly and exhorting him not to take any action which
would undermine the Fijian constitution. The New Zealand High
Commissioner in Suva will also be calling on Fiji's Vice President to
express support for the government and relay the warning they have
expressed to Commander Bainimarama. MFAT is reviewing their travel
advisory for New Zealanders in Fiji to take into account possible
emergency action procedures.
3. (C) New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters separately told
the Ambassador that the New Zealand Government had concluded that
many Fijians shared Bainimarama's frustration with the amnesty for
those involved in the previous coup. Nonetheless, his actions were
completely contrary to acceptable democratic practice and must be
stopped. GNZ had decided that the Chief of Defense Force would be
the one to call Bainimarama because he would be far more likely to
listen seriously to a military colleague than a foreign government
official. Peters added that New Zealand and Australia are absolutely
of one mind in their approach to Fiji.
McCormick