7 Mar 2003

NZ military aid to Fiji still on hold

8:26 am on 7 March 2003

New Zealand military aid to Fiji remains suspended more than two and a half years after the May 2000 coup.

Radio Fiji says this has been confirmed by the military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

Commodore Bainimarama says the New Zealand government is still awaiting the hearing of the muti-party cabinet case against the Qarase government.

The case will be heard by the Supreme Court on June 18th.

Commodore Baianimarama says the New Zealand government decision on whether to lift its suspension of military aid will depend on the outcome of that case.

He says Australia and the United States are already providing military assistance while Indonesian and Malaysian assistance continued without interruption.

Commodore Bainmarama says Britain has also assisted by allowing Fiji officers to be trained at Sandhurst.