34 coup plotters 'seeking election' in Fiji

By NAOMI LARKIN and EUGENE BINGHAM

At least 34 blacklisted Fijians are candidates in today's elections but the New Zealand Government refuses to name anyone on the list.

The blacklist of Fijian citizens prevents the 154 people named from being given visas or permits to enter New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States.

Those listed are alleged to be linked to George Speight, who led the May 19 coup last year that toppled the Government headed by Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

Speight and his rebel supporters took Mr Chaudhry and his ministers hostage in Suva's parliamentary complex. The crisis lasted 56 days.

The blacklist was compiled by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in consultation with the Security Intelligence Service.

It was approved by the Ministers of Immigration and Foreign Affairs and Trade and was a central plank of the Government's so-called smart sanctions against Fiji.

But yesterday Foreign Minister Phil Goff reaffirmed that the names of those on the list would not be released despite claims in the Fiji Sun newspaper that 34 were standing in today's general elections - the first since the coup.

The Weekend Herald first wrote to Mr Goff last August requesting the names of those prohibited from entering New Zealand.

This was refused under the Official Information Act on privacy grounds.

Mr Goff said the Privacy Commissioner, Bruce Slane, agreed with his decision.

The Weekend Herald took the matter to the Office of the Ombudsmen, saying that this group had waived their right to privacy when they became involved in the overthrowing of a democratically elected Government.

Many of the plotters had already identified themselves at coup press conferences or by speaking out in support of Speight. A list had been available on the internet soon after it was compiled.

In refusing the request, Chief Ombudsman Sir Brian Elwood said: "I perceive a public interest in it being known that the list exists, but I do not consider that there is any public interest in the individual names becoming known that would outweigh their respective privacy interests."

Mr Goff said yesterday that even if those on the blacklist were elected the ban remained in place.

Fiji Sun acting editor Samisoni Pareti said the list of 34 names published by the newspaper had been circulated around Suva by a non-Government organisation.

"Verification has not been possible because of privacy laws the Governments in New Zealand and Australia have," Mr Pareti said.

It was the first time the names had been published.

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