Foreign policy fears dispelled

There has been much speculation about what the foreign policy of the Labour/NFP Government would be when it came to power. Some observers said it would have leftist or socialist policies in com plete contrast to the pro- Western policies pursued by the Mara Government.

But all this was discounted when soon after his swear ing in as the new Prime Minister of Fiji, Dr Timoci Bavadra addressed the na tion from the steps of the Government buildings where he has his office. In his address he was empha tic in dispelling any fears of the new Government adop ting leftist and socialist policies.

“We recognise that the welfare of our nation is linked to the inter-depend cnce of nations, particu larly our neighbours in the South Pacific and those nations with which we have historical, economic and democratic links.”

During the campaign the leaders of the multi racial Labour/NFP Coali tion announced they would pursue a non-aligned fore ign policy.

While the former Prime

Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara had aligned his Government firmly with the West, he did not spare criticism when he thought fit. He bitterly attacked the Un ited States and the British Government for their refu sal to sign the protocols of the Rarotonga Treaty which seeks to make the South Pacific nuclear free.

He questioned their friend ship and commitment to the islands of the South Pacific.

This concern is shared by the Coalition Govern ment. Spokesman Dr Tupeni Baba said during the election campaign that a Labour/ NFP Govern ment would ban port visits by nuclear ships. The Labour Party has very strong anti-nuclear poli cies but it remains to be seen if in a coalition those policies will be practiced to implement.

In the Coalition manifes to there was only a very small portion allocated to foreign policy. It stated that: “As an independent na tion, Fiji must assert her right to pursue an indepen dent foreign policy. The

Coalition believes in non alignment and will do all in its power to pursue a cohe rent non-aligned policy, but we will not allow Rus sia to open an embassy in Fiji.”

The manifesto also promised to work for “peaceful solutions” for the independence of New Caledonia and the struggle of the Kanaks.

Reacting to reports, especially in the foreign press, that the new Gov ernment will pursue social ist policies and be sympa thetic to communists, a senior member of the Coalition said the reports were “distortions” of the foreign media and mis chief-mongers. He said Fiji will discharge all its re sponsibilities and commit ments as responsible member of the South Paci fic Forum and the Com monwealth, as well as hon ouring its obligations at the UN.

Dr Bavadra’s first major assignment as a regional leader will be to attend this month’s South Pacific Forum meeting in Apia.

Ratu Mara was Chairman of the Forum.