This statement by Ratu Inoke comes in the wake of New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister McCully’s comments that they will only lift travel bans on Fiji once the Fiji government gives a firm commitment for return to elections.

Earlier this month the Indonesian electoral commission visited Fiji and briefed government on their voting system.

“ This is indicative of the steps taken by the Fijian Government towards elections,” said Ratu Inoke.

“Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has time and again emphasized his commitment to elections timeline in 2014.

“That timeline remains and nothing has changed as far as government is concerned.

“Government is committed to ensuring that good and fair election is conducted”.

“New Zealand just doesn’t want to recognize nor understand that Fiji needs to give its people a fair and just election system that makes up the multiracial country of Fiji.” said Ratu Inoke.

He said these things cannot be achieved overnight, and the government has set the time to 2014.

“What more cast-iron assurance can this be for New Zealand or any other country for that matter.”

Ratu Inoke said New Zealand have some real issues to address first before it can, make such a swipe at Fiji, and question the commitment towards elections in 2014.

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