Optimism on return of Fiji

Press, 17 October 1987, Page 8

Optimism on return of Fiji

PA Wanganui * The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Marshall, said last evening he was optimistic Fiji would end up in the Commonwealth.

However, its return might be “some distance away,” he said. “One can but hope that unlike other military leaders Colonel Rabuka is serious when he says he wants to return to democracy. ■; ;; “To that end, although it is more' popular and headline-grabbing to be heavily punitive and sabre-rattling, we have been exercising a careful, though at this point unsuccessful, role in tiying to keep people talking to each other and find a way through it.”

Mr Marshall said he would like to think New Zealand would not bum bridges and make it impossible to get back into a relationship with Fiji for a long time. “We have to be very careful. I have.. been criticised for not being

more aggressive but I have to face reality. “We keep saying we are part of the South Pacific and we . will eventually have to deal with the new Fijian Government, much and all as many of us find .that repulsive.”

Asked whether New Zealand’s attitude towards Fiji would alter materially, Mr Marshall said, "I think there will be what a

journalist described as a time of mourning, when • we have a very cool relationship.” New Zealand was not

likely to resume aid or military co-operation; the sugar agreement would not be renewed. “We will have to consider, quite quickly, the level of our diplomatic representation in Suva. We have a fairly substantial staff in Suva. Do we really need that number

of people?” Mr Marshall said he ■- would consult Cabinet col- . leagues. The New Zealand High Commissioner had asked , for talks in Wellington next week. .