KEY POINTS:
Prime Minister Helen Clark says China supports what New Zealand is doing in the South Pacific as Fiji coup leader Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama looks to Asia to support his regime.
The military commander yesterday reiterated threats to New Zealand exports and said he was sending a high-powered delegation of ministers, senior officials and selected business people to China, India, Malaysia and Indonesia for help in moving the country forward.
The purpose was "an effort to diversify our network of sources of imports, tourists, investment, technical cooperation and inflow of aid", Cdre Bainimarama said.
New Zealand extended sanctions against Fiji on December 6, suspending aid and banning sporting contacts and visits from Government members after Cdre Bainimarama overthrew the government the day before.
Today Helen Clark told National Radio that during talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in the Philippines just over a week ago she was reassured China supported New Zealand's actions in the Pacific.
"China indicated through him they were very concerned about instability in the South Pacific and specifically indicated considerable support for what New Zealand was doing in the region."
Cdre Bainimarama accused Australia and New Zealand of bullying Fiji and threatened retaliation after Parmesh Chand, the new head of the Fiji Prime Minister's Office was denied entry to New Zealand to visit his family.
"I wonder if both (Foreign Minister Winston) Peters and (Helen) Clark realise they are potentially inflicting on their own exporters to Fiji by intimidating and creating fear in minds of our local people," he said.
Helen Clark said New Zealand's position - of not moving on sanctions until Fiji started to restore democracy - stood.
"The New Zealand Government position is very clear - that is we are waiting to see from those who have seized power in Fiji what their proposals are for a pathway back to constitutional government, and that of course would include some very clear signals that political freedom and freedom of speech and media are to return to Fiji.
"We haven't seen these signals yet."
Helen Clark said after the 2000 coup New Zealand kept sanctions in place until the Commonwealth removed Fiji's suspension about 18 months later.
"Now it is very much in Fiji's interests that Mr Bainimarama signals very quickly what his pathway is back to a proper form of government."
Helen Clark said New Zealand's position was in line with the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the governments of Australia, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile Cdre Bainimarama said yesterday he wanted New Zealand High Commissioner Michael Green to meet with Fiji's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to explain New Zealand's position.
"Let me stress that if diplomacy does not work, then my government will be left with no option but to adopt retaliatory measures," Cdre Bainimarama said.
"If New Zealand can bring in so called 'smart sanctions', then there is nothing stopping Fiji in looking at options of its own."
New Zealand has condemned the overthrow of democratically elected Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, who Cdre Bainimarama accused of being corrupt and causing racial strife by favouring indigenous Fijians over the ethnic Indian minority.
- NZPA
