18 Dec 2008

Fiji's ousted opposition leader restates link between coup and sanctions

2:48 pm on 18 December 2008

The ousted Fiji opposition leader, Mick Beddoes, says the interim regime should expect continued pressure from New Zealand as long as there is no commitment to hold elections.

His comments to Radio Fiji come amid New Zealand's refusal to ease its visa restrictions imposed in response to the 2006 military coup.

The interim regime has sought concessions for the son of a top official at the President's Office, Rupeni Nacewa, and threatened to expel New Zealand's top diplomat if Wellington failed to comply.

Mr Beddoes has suggested that the regime should send their children to study in China.

He says if they insist on sending their children to Australia and New Zealand, they should resign and not let their children suffer the consequences of their actions.

Mr Nacewa says he won't resign.