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SYDNEY - Australia will canvass New Zealand and other Pacific nations for further sanctions against Fiji, including a sporting boycott, over increasing frustration with its military rule.
This would include the potential banning of Fiji from this year's Pacific Nations Cup rugby tournament, which includes the New Zealand Maori and Australia A teams.
The Australian newspaper quoted a senior government source today as saying Prime Minister Kevin Rudd wanted to explore several options with other leaders ahead of the 16-member Pacific Island Forum later this month.
"There is frustration about the way things are going in Fiji," the source told The Australian, referring to Commodore Frank Bainimarama's regime.
"Things are not getting better, in fact they are getting worse.
"All sorts of options are being canvassed, including a sports boycott against Fiji, and will be on the table at the meetings."
Fiji's rugby team are due to host New Zealand Maori in Suva on June 14, while Australia A are scheduled to host Fiji in Brisbane on June 29.
Cdre Bainimarama, a keen rugby fan, last year expelled New Zealand's high commissioner to Suva, Michael Green, after Fiji Rugby officials reportedly invited Mr Green ahead of Cdre Bainimarama into a VIP area for the Junior All Blacks' match against Fiji.
The Australian government's increasing concern comes in the wake of the beating and detention of opponents of the military regime, as well as last week's deportation of Fiji Sun newspaper publisher Russell Hunter, an Australian.
It also comes as Cdre Bainimarama's finance minister, Mahendra Chaudry, yesterday announced he would sue the Fiji Times newspaper for $F1 billion for defamation, following a series of articles in that newspaper, and in the Fiji Sun, raising allegations about his tax dealings.
There are fears he will abandon a promise, made following Australian-led economic sanctions, to hold democratic elections next year.
Cdre Bainimarama took power in a bloodless coup on December 5, 2006 - the nation's fourth in 20 years.
Australia has imposed travel sanctions on the Bainimarama regime and suspended aid in other areas.
Former Fiji leader Sitiveni Rabuka, who led coups, said yesterday he doubted a sports boycott would have any effect on the regime.
"The problem with the idea is that the average person, who has nothing to do with this Government, will be hurt," he said.
"They are the ones that really enjoy sport, love rugby, but I doubt it will concern the Government. The people are too scared to speak out."
In a statement through his lawyer, GP Lal, Mr Chaudhry said the Fiji Times - published by News Limited - had been defaming his reputation.
Mr Lal said documents would name other people in the Fiji Times who he says have defamed Mr Chaudhry and are believed to be involved in a conspiracy to damage his client with a view to weakening the government.
Fiji Times editor-in-chief Netani Rika rejected the suggestion.
"We are the free press, doing our jobs as Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama promised he would let us do," he said.
- NZPA
