Her comment follows a report by Gerald McGhie, chairman of the global anti-corruption group Transparency International, who called on New Zealand to reopen diplomatic channels with Fiji’s interim government.
He said if the United States could talk to North Korea, New Zealand should be able to re-establish relations with its Pacific neighbor.
Clark said diplomatic channels have not been closed off.
“We have a high commissioner in Fiji and the high commission engages in Fiji as you would expect it to,” she said. “It’s particularly active in the joint working group between the Pacific Islands Forum nations and the Fiji interim government.”
Fiji interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama expelled New Zealand High Commissioner Michael Green a year ago after accusing him of interfering in the country’s domestic affairs.
New Zealand imposed targeted sanctions against Suva following the 2006 coup. These banned travel to New Zealand by members of the interim regime. After Green’s expulsion, the sanctions were widened to cover transit visas
Bainimarama’s permanent secretary, Parmesh Chand, said the interim government welcomes any dialogue with New Zealand.
He said the regime has attempted to have bilateral relations with NZ through the high commission but it did not seem to make a difference.
“Fiji has attempted to establish more bilateral relations with New Zealand and will continue to do so,” Chand told the Fiji Times.
