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Murray McCully ... crucial meeting with Ratu Inoke Kubuabola. Photo: AFP Pacific Scoop: Murray McCully's recent statements on Fiji suggest a much more realistic appraisal of the situation than was evident under the former Labour-led government, and an improvement on his own earlier statements. McCully's meeting with Fiji Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola last week will bolster diplomatic representation. It did not change NZ's basic position — elections with which it is prepared to assist in whatever ways it can — but it was a crucial first step. The second step is his reaction to kerfuffle about pensions and the Methodist Church, both quite misrepresented by the media (see earlier post on pensions). Foreign Affairs Minister McCully dismissed them as moves to quell dissent but "not a reason for us not to try and improve diplomatic relations. "We expect progress to take place in terms of the relationship step by step with allowances for some setbacks from time to time." He could, however, underestimate Fiji's threat to withdraw from PACER (Pacific Closer Economic Relations Agreement) unless it is represented at Forum discussions on PACER Plus, the Australian-initiated add-on to What was particularly pleasing to hear was that Fiji's exclusion from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) – and PACER Plus discussions – is not fixed in concrete. McCully "would regard this as just one of the pieces of the jigsaw that is on the table over the coming months". Step 3 would see NZ supporting Fiji's readmission to the PIF, or some accommodation not too short of admission, which in turn could lead to similar rapprochments with the Commonwealth, the European Union and the United Nations, and a resumption of aid and other economic assistance. Step 4, though stated last, should be high on the diplomatic agenda, and needs to be implemented as soon as possible. It is composed of several elements, all concerned with good governance. The travel sanctions have to be relaxed to allow Fiji's most talented administrators to apply for government positions. New Zealand (and Australia) should second suitable qualified lawyers to draft legislation, especially constitutional Fiji also needs forensic accountants to unravel the corruption, and experienced senior judges. Fiji is lacking in these specialised skills. Later, in 2011-2012, assistance would also be welcome with elections andelectoral reform. Assistance in these areas will do much to restore our relationship with Fiji. We have the expertise to assist Fiji to establish a much fairer society than in has been in the past. It is a pity a military-led and non-elected government seeks these reforms. Earlier "democratically-elected" government had the opportunity but none put its hand up. * New Zealand lawyer Robert Miller has been appointed Chief Legal Draftsperson in the Attorney-General's Chambers. This is a Fiji government appointment – unrelated to McCully's "steps" – but it is the Dr Crosbie Walsh is emeritus professor of the University of the South Pacific and retired founding director of USP's Development Studies programme. Please click on this link if you have read this article: http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/01/step-by-step-how-nz-can-really-help-fiji-towards-democracy/ 'Step by step' – how NZ can really help Fiji towards democracy
Opinion – By Crosbie Walsh
PACER that has been received with suspicion in many quarters. I doubt Fiji will be satisfied with being "briefed on progress".
legislation, and to prosecute corruption cases.
sort of assistance that is sorely needed.
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