25 Jun 2007

Fiji's interim PM wants continued travel advisories downgraded

6:10 am on 25 June 2007

Fiji's interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has called on New Zealand, Australia, Britain and the USA to change their travel advisories.

Commodore Bainimarama has described the warnings as unfair and unwarranted.

He told the Fiji Live news site that it was appalling that these countries continued to issue such advisories even after the lifting of the Public Emergency Regulation last month.

The advisory from New Zealand currently states there is some risk to individual security in Fiji and advises caution.

The same risk level is in the New Zealand advisory for Tonga, Singapore and Britain.

The Commander argued that the Interim Government was working towards bringing about parliamentary democracy with demonstrable progress.

He cited a Cabinet decision to accept recommendations in principle that elections could be held in the first quarter of 2009.

Commodore Bainimarama said the international community should now come forward with constructive actions to normalise their relations and help Fiji.