US Secretary of State told Australia and NZ misleading over Fiji
Updated
The subject of democracy in Fiji has come up again in the United States, with American Samoan Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin coming to the defence of its military rulers. He says the country's democratic system has been unfair for years, and Fiji is not yet ready for proper elections. In a question to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, he said regional heavy-weights Australia and New Zealand had been painting an inaccurate picture of Fiji's political scene.
Speakers: Congressman for American Samoa Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, U-S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
- Listen:
- Windows Media
CONGRESSMAN FALEOMAVAEGA ENI HUNKIN: Having just returned from Fiji for discussions with the interim Prime Minister of Fiji and with the other community leaders of Fiji, I submit that the situation in Fiji is more complex than it appears. I commend our current US Ambassador's efforts to continue the engagement with the leaders of the interim Government, and unfortunately, in my view, Madam Secretary, for too long we've had no coherent policy towards some 16 Pacific Island nations. Very indicative of the fact that we have not had USA ID presence for too long now. And for too often and for too long, Madam Secretary, in my view, we've permitted Australia and New Zealand to take the lead, even when Canberra and Auckland operate with such a heavy hand that they are counter-productive to our shared goals. It makes no sense, Madam Secretary, for the leaders of New Zealand and Australia to demand early elections for the sake of having elections in Fiji, when there are fundamental deficiencies in Fiji's electoral process, which gave rise to three military takeovers and even a civilian-related takeover within the past 20 years. These people are having to live, often, with three separate constitutions. I totally disagree with the nasty accusations that the leaders of New Zealand and Australia have made against Fiji, given the fact that it's more than what it appears and I would appreciate your response to those.
HILLARY CLINTON, US SECRETARY OF STATE: I really appreciate your question. I think your specific questions are embedded in a larger problem, that we do have these 16 Island nations, many of whom are amongst our staunchest allies. Palau, for example, which has voted with us in the United Nations, its young men go off to war under the American flag, so we need to have a more comprehensive approach, an American approach, to these islands and I would welcome your advice about that. I think it's a very important Representative. With respect to Fiji, I would welcome your advice about Fiji, because you know, our coverage of what's going on, from our own Ambassador and as you point out, from Australia and New Zealand in particular, does paint a picture of turmoil and chaos and anti-democratic behaviours by the ruling parties. So, what we want is to restore democracy. We want a functioning democracy in Fiji that can deliver for its people. And if you have advice as to how we can pursue that, I would welcome it. And I will invite you, we'll have the State Department follow up, and we will bring you in and we'll talk more broadly about the Pacific Island region.
FALEOMAVAEGA ENI HUNKIN: Thank you, Madam Secretary. Thank you, Mr Chairman.
