Fiji to open new missions in diplomatic shift

Fiji says it will open diplomatic missions in Indonesia, South Africa and Brazil as it continues to move away from traditional allies critical of its military-led government.
The Pacific island nation, which has been under military rule since a coup in 2006, said its cabinet had approved Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola’s plan for the new missions, which will open next year.
The government said the move came as Suva realigned it foreign policy priorities “to bring about the desired outcomes for the people of Fiji”.
“Fiji’s relations with her traditional allies, including the regional organisations, and certain international organizations, have largely been negatively impacted due to discriminating and isolationist policies imposed by them,” it said in a statement released Wednesday.
While the statement did not name any of these countries, regional powerhouses Australia and New Zealand have led international criticism of military leader Voreqe Bainimarama’s regime.
Fiji has also been suspended from the Commonwealth of mainly former British colonies and the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum, the leading regional grouping.
Bainimarama has responded by looking elsewhere for allies, saying last month that China was the one country that understands the reforms he is trying to implement ahead of elections he says will be held in 2014.
The Fijian government has already failed to meet a promise to hold elections by March 2009.