24 Jan 2008

New Zealand and Australia ease Fiji travel bans

2:35 pm on 24 January 2008

Reports from Fiji says New Zealand and Australia have relaxed the travel ban on those involved in drafting a people's charter for Fiji.

A task team of the National Council for Building a Better Fiji has told Fijilive that it appreciates the easing of the sanctions imposed in 2006 after the military overthrow the governent of Laisenia Qarase.

Sanctions had been in place for the coupmakers and some of those backing the military takeover.

Fijilive says the revised stand means the members of the national council, the three council task teams and the working groups will be allowed to travel to Australia and New Zealand.

The members of these groups include religious leaders, cabinet ministers, public servants, NGO representatives, businessmen, chiefs and community leaders.

The People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress is expected to be a widely accepted document plotting the way forward for Fiji.

It should be ready ahead of the general election expected to be held early next year.