Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Dumping of draft constitution by Fiji seen as step backwards

Updated at 9:10 am on 11 January 2013

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says the dumping of a draft constitution by the miltary government in Fiji is a major step backwards.

Police previously confiscated copies of the draft document and destroyed printer's proofs and the regime has given its legal team until the end of the month to produce a new one.

Mr McCully said the regime's actions do not help Fiji in getting respect from other countries.

However, he told Summer Report that New Zealand will continue to help ensure there are fair and democratic elections next year, rather than walking away.

Listen to more on Summer Report

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