14 Jul 2011

Samoa's PM wants NZ to take much harder line against Fiji

10:01 am on 14 July 2011

Samoa's prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has used this morning's meeting with the New Zealand foreign minister, Murray McCully, to reiterate a call for New Zealand to take a much harder line against Fiji.

Mr McCully is on a Pacific tour in the lead-up to the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Auckland in September.

Annell Husband reports.

"The official meeting between the two leaders was to sign the joint development commitment between New Zealand and Samoa for the next five years. Key features of that agreement are tourism and the development of the private sector, including the renewable energy and agriculture sectors. However in response to a question about New Zealand's dealings with Fiji, prime minister Tuilaepa said New Zealand should increase its sanctions on Fiji ten times, he says sanctions won't hurt Fiji's general public only the military whom he says has taken illegal control of the government but he added that the world must have patience and allow Fiji to solve its own problems in its own time. Mr McCully is meeting with key government officials today before moving to the Cook Islands this evening."