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STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIP
International / Regional Arena
In the international arena the European Union holds a somewhat rigid stand towards a return to democracy but is somehow more “commonsensical” to that held by our regional neighbors Australia and New Zealand.
They are regarded as “big brothers” in the South Pacific region but in reality are seen to hinder our progress. Their efforts to influence the region are very evident and this is backed by the “dollar diplomacy” which has some temporary effect. Their opposition will continue and it is not expected that their foreign policy in this area will change.
In the mean time the Interim Government may choose to cement and strengthen our ties with our Asian friends. For the moment China, India and South Korea are indeed our “friends in need.”
The responses to our current foreign policy from our regional neighbors and our Asian friends may result in our region becoming the “meeting point” of regional and Asian powers in the longer term. Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand may want to involve themselves in the effort to return Fiji to democracy. In this way it may try to:
i. Bring back some dignity to its “shabby” foreign policy towards Fiji;
ii. Win back political influence and ground lost to the Asians; and
iii. Pretend to behave like a responsible regional power in bringing Fiji back to the democratic fold.