KEY POINTS:
High Commissioner Michael Green arrived back in Auckland yesterday following his expulsion from Fiji.
Green believes a return to democracy in Fiji is not looking promising, even in the medium term, and has concerns for the remaining New Zealand embassy staff.
This forum debate has now closed. Here is a selection of your views on the topic.
Wellington
The expulsion of the NZ High Commissioner is unfortunate, but it is essentially a spat between governments and should be treated as such. Pretending that Fiji is in some way an unsafe place for tourists to visit - as Clark's government is now doing - is dishonest since to my knowledge no tourist has ever been hurt or molested during any of the coups and their aftermaths, and there is no reason to believe this situation is about to change. It is also contemptible since it is clearly designed to hurt, rather than help, Fiji. Damaging Fiji's tourist industry will have no effect on Bainimarama & Co - it will merely put ordinary Fijians out of work. Shame on Clark and her government. If they want to restrict travel to NZ for senior Fijian government figures, that's fine - but leave ordinary Fijians, and their livelihoods, out of the quarrel.
Jason Mc (Port Moresby)
Melanesian government is in disarray. Fiji, Solomons, and PNG rule by just rididng themselves of anyone who wishes to speak up in opposition. Their citizens in the meantime - still look up to so called big men.. No matter how bad they are. If you have no brain but can speak well you can be a leader in Melanesia. Its about time NZ and Australia flexed their muscle - ditched all aid and withdrew all diplomats and advisors.We're wasting our money big time. These places want to be sovereign and independent. Let them be. Pull out and halt all contact. So simple.
Huang (Waitakere)
Green got caught in the spate between Bahnimarama and big sister Helen, and he was expelled. You don't get to stay in another country, for saying the wrong things. Green should have used his discretion, and leave it to the Fijians to sort their problem. From what we know, any human or democratic rights issue is nowhere near the scale of Zimbabwe.
Murray Guy
When we have Winston Peters, Helen Clark and her mates crying foul it's a sure bet that you're not getting the full story.First we are advised our Fiji rep. is told to leave as he is provided a privileged seat at a rugby game.No surprise, on his return, Mr Green advises, "I think I upset them by a speech I delivered at a 'school gala', putting New Zealand's view of the present political situation in Fiji." When asked if he had been meddling in Fiji's affairs, he replied: "I was just doing my job."Can you imagine the indignation of Helen Clark and Winston Peters should another country's diplomat chose a school gala to denigrate our government? There's a time and a place for political grandstanding, and I don't believe a school is the place.
Ron (Wellington)
The NZ govt likes to flex their muscle on small Pacific Island nations. I would love to see them with the same enthusiasm going against China and US on some of the more pressing issues (including human rights violations). I agree that the expulsion of Michael Green wasn't a laudable decision but I'm certain the NZ govt wouldn't stand Fiji interfering in the former's domestic affairs. His expulsion doesn't make Fiji any more unsafe than pre-coup days. The only difference is that now, the international media is pouncing on every little scuffle in Fiji. There's no denying that the coup was illegal but the Qarase led govt wasn't doing the country any favours. Being democratically elected doesn't give a govt the right to engage in corrupt practices, racial policies and showing empathy for the 2000 coup perpetrators. Had Australia and NZ being vocal against Qarase regarding his dubious and racial policies, the subsequent events might not have eventuated.It's no use dwelling in the past. Australia and NZ should stop dictating terms and be supportive of the interim govt's endeavours in stamping out corruption and revamping the current electoral system in readiness for the next elections.
Lesley Opie
My husband my daughter and I are travelling to Fiji on Sunday afternoon (June 24th) to help an Oz friend in Suva for a week, (my daughter will stay on a further week), to help with her work with the poor, poverty stricken, abused and those at risk. When we booked yesterday there were hardly any flights left almost booked out - no one seems to have cancelled and we had to choose certain days otherwise the cost was more expensive. If you have any reporters during the time we are in Suva we could take them to the poverty stricken places to show Winston and Helen why New Zealanders need to keep coming to Fiji and the reason why coups keep on happening in Fiji. The reason why is what needs to be sorted out. It will be interesting to see how many still support Bainimarama I will be asking.There are a more NZ volunteers who are booked to visit my friend in Suva in the next few months. Those that really need our help are going to continue to get help whether Winston Peters and Helen Clark like it or not!
bmeyer
As a New Zealander living in Fiji, I dont think Mr Green should have been sent home but I do believe its is about time Helen Clark got off "Fijis back". At the end of the day whats done is done & all it does is hurt the average person on the street.We should be helping Fiji get back on its feet so being closer to having elections.
D
All I can say is that it was waiting to happen. Most Fijians that I have talked to in New Zealand are satisfied with the way the country is being in. Add meddling in local politics and of course you're just inviting a kick in the backside. I feel sorry Mr. Green because it really wasn't his choice; rather he had to pay for the political stance the government is taking. It really is ironic that while New Zealand is willing to deal with an authoritarian government in places like China (so much that Helen Clark won't meet Dalai Lama) and Pakistan they're simply shunning Fiji away - making the position go from worse to worst.
Nancy of Auckland - Concerned Reader
Lets just put it this way- Fiji has been thru 4 coups. NZ has had none. The current interim government is trying to rectify the results of the last 3 coups,& in between Fiji has more or less worked it's problems out. One thing for sure though its culture & traditional hierarchy is sometimes complicated & there are dos & don'ts like every other culture. Please give them the chance to right their wrongs NZ. The NZ ambassador was constantly in their faces. Fijians are very tolerant people & I'm sure he overstepped a couple of boundaries believe in democracy but what do you do in a situation like this!
Cathy (Wellington)
There is no excuse for NZers living and working in the islands overlooking the extent of the cultural differences existing between us and our closest neighbours or a larger, affluent, aid donating countries wrongly assuming some say in the governance of a smaller developing country. While I do not support the despotic regime of Bainimarama - I can see NZ has played into his hands. By taking a big brotherly and authoritarian approach to his unconstitutional actions - NZ invited retaliation. Any psychologist will tell you that taking a patriarchal stance in a dispute will invite another, even less advisable among another culture where different mores prevail. Michael Green would have fared better had he exercised more subtle diplomacy and done his homework. How he dealt with Bainimarama on behalf of NZ is not how you treat Fijians in their own country. There are people in residence there whom he could have taken advice from but obviously didn't. Methinks an earlier NZ High Commissioner to Fiji with a deeper more intrinsic understanding of Pacific peoples, would not have made the mistakes leading to a diplomatic disaster - one which will seriously impact an already suffering people.
