UN criticized over Fiji military missions

FIJI NEWS 321


UN criticized over Fiji military missions
Australia and New Zealand will continue to urge the United Nations to stop using Fijian peacekeepers until the country holds elections, according to media reports.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, speaking after meeting with New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully in Wellington yesterday, said the demands to the UN are ongoing by both countries.

The countries say the United Nations should not help fund the Fiji military, which seized power in late 2006.

Fiji has up to 2,000 troops on peacekeeping duties with UN security forces around the world, including in Iraq, Lebanon, East Timor and Africa.

Smith said that Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had taken up the peacekeeping issue with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

"The approaches are ongoing," NZPA reports Smith saying.

The UN decided last year not to use Fijian peacekeepers for any new missions but it has continued to deploy those already engaged.

McCully admits that New Zealand is not happy with the UN’s “unhelpful” reaction to the situation in Fiji.

“The fact that there's been no action on that front hasn't sent a very useful signal on behalf of the international community and I think the interim regime in Fiji has gained comfort and considerable amounts of cash from those ongoing peacekeeping activities," he said.

McCully said he would continue to step up dialogue with the UN.

Meanwhile, Fiji Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said he is aware of a number of approaches which Australia and New Zealand have made to “cripple Fiji’s economy”.

He also said that Australia has approached the Chinese government to reconsider its aid and funding assistance to Fiji.


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