22 Jun 2007

Senior Samoan MP calls on NZ and Australia to leave Fiji deal with own affairs

3:23 pm on 22 June 2007

Samoa's independent Member of Parliament and former SDUP leader Le Mamea Ropati has called on the Prime Minister to advise the governments of New Zealand and Australia to stop interfering with Fiji's internal political affairs.

Le Mamea who made the announcement in parliament during the budget debate says it seems the two powerful nations and members of the Pacific Forum are using their strong economic growth to get more involved in the current political crisis in Fiji.

The former opposition leader says each Pacific country have their own way according to their cultures and traditions to deal with problems, and the more New Zealand and Australia pressure the interim government it's the low-income people who will suffer.

Le Mamea says Samoa would feel the same if New Zealand and Australia interfered with its local politics.