News of the constitutional consultations have prompted many view points. One such perspective from Jenny Hayward Jones, speaks of the alignment of stars:
The excerpt of article:
In the span of several days and since meeting the New Zealand Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, the conciliatory approach many expected from Carr, has since reversed as reported in a Radio Australia article.
The excerpt:
Many that had withheld judgment on Carr ever since his appointment as Foreign Minister, will be soon making up their minds. SiFM is among them.
Club Em Designs
For the first time in some years, the stars may be aligning for a change in the relationship: Bob Carr's appointment as Australian Foreign Minister and a constructive and positive announcement from Commodore Bainimarama this morning on a constitutional consultations process create an opportunity.Bob Carr was alluded to have "softened Australia's stance on Fiji", in an article by News Corp owned, Adelaide publication- "The Advertiser"
The excerpt of article:
Bob Carr will extend an olive branch to Fijian dictator Frank Bainimarama, above, during talks in New Zealand.BOB Carr will begin to reverse six years of hard-line Labor policy against the government of Fijian dictator Frank Bainimarama.
Mr Carr will offer an olive branch to the military strongman, who seized power in the small Pacific island nation after a military coup in 2006.
The new Foreign Affairs Minister will travel to New Zealand tomorrow to meet NZ Prime Minister John Key to discuss Fiji's banning from the Pacific Islands Forum in 2009.
Incentives for Fiji are likely to include lifting some of the "sticks" against the regime, including the forum's ban on the junta - and some reversal of Australian sanctions set up in the wake of the coup.
These include a blanket ban on the supply, sale or transfer to Fiji of arms and related material, the provision of technical advice, assistance or training, a financial service or financial or other assistance to Fiji related to military activities or any activity that involves the sale or supply of any export-sanctioned goods to Fiji.
The package also bars entry or transit through Australia for Fijian citizens declared by the Foreign Minister, such as members of the military junta, their families and other supporters of the Fijian regime.
The New Zealand talks would focus on common regional interests in the Pacific Islands Forum, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and Pacific maritime surveillance.
In the span of several days and since meeting the New Zealand Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, the conciliatory approach many expected from Carr, has since reversed as reported in a Radio Australia article.
The excerpt:
It is becoming increasingly apparent that many observers waiting for Bob Carr to change policy on Fiji were in for a major disappointment. Since becoming Foreign Minister, Carr has demonstrated a unique ability to flip-flop, like his initial opposition to the R2P operation in Libya, brokered by his predecessor Kevin Rudd.Carr rejects talk of softening Fiji stance
PostedForeign minister designate Bob Carr has rejected media reports that he is planning to soften Australia's hard stance against Fiji. Mr Carr was speaking in Auckland after holding informal talks with his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully.
Mr Carr said he had noted Friday's announcement by Fiji's military leader Frank Bainimarama about planned public consultation over a new constitution. Both Mr Carr and Mr McCully greeted the announcement with caution and said time would tell if the Fiji's rulers were truly moving towards democratic elections.
The former New South Wales premier also says he will be seeking more information from the ACTU about the human rights situation for workers in Fiji. Mr Carr says he wants to further investigate claims that any union official who speaks out against the interim government still risks life imprisonment. "Certainly one of the tests we'd consider in the future is the right of organisation in the workplace," he said. "That's a fundamental human right. I'd expect to have more conversations with unionists, in particular the ACTU."
Mr Carr said his hour-long discussion with Mr McCully about the region was wide-ranging and helpful. He will meet prime minister John Key on Saturday morning. It is his first overseas trip since being named the replacement for Kevin Rudd. He is due to be sworn in as a senator and foreign minister on Tuesday.
Many that had withheld judgment on Carr ever since his appointment as Foreign Minister, will be soon making up their minds. SiFM is among them.
Club Em Designs
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