SUVA (Pacnews) — Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has no business telling Fiji how we should run our affairs, says interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.
In a press briefing at the military headquarters, Commodore Bainimarama said it was important that he respond to “utterances” by Downer in relation to his role in the Interim government.
“Let me reiterate to you Downer, if you have not got my message loud and clear, you are a member of parliament in Australia and as such you have no authority to tell us how we should run our affairs here in Fiji,” he said.
He said even though Australia gives development assistance to Fiji, it benefited more in the transactions.
“In particular, Australia exports to us more than $421 million worth of products and services and in return imports just over $120 million from Fiji. Australia gives us developmental assistance and a significant portion of that goes back to that country in terms of hired consultants and purchase of goods and services.”
He said he is aware of moves by Downer to put undue pressure on Pacific island countries who ae members of the Forum to try and influence their position on Fiji.
He said Downer was inflicting “significant damage” to the cooperation spirit and goodwill that Pacific island countries were are known.
“He is undermining the spirit and existence of the Pacific Islands Forum by putting pressure and trying to pre-empt the position of independent and sovereign Pacific island countries.
“This is the height of insensitivity and arrogance on the part of Downer,” he said.
Bainimarama advised the Australian official to re-look at the manner in which he reacts to Pacific island issues.
He said judging from Downer’s comments in the media, he was lobbying to use the Eminent Persons Group to try and establish a relationship of power toward Fiji.
The Australian High Commission in Fiji has reserved its comments on Bainimarama’s statement.