The National Federation Party reiterates the need for sanctions to remain on Fiji.
Party general secretary, Pramod Rae believes travel sanctions against the Interim Government and the Military is not affecting majority of the ordinary citizens of the country.
“Only a handful of mischief makers which is the military, the interim regime ministers and their supporters and collaborators who have committed these treasonous acts against democracy and the people of Fiji," Rae said.
"It’s a small, handful of people against whom these sanctions have been placed. It’s misleading to say that a majority of people are opposed to these sanctions," he said.
"That’s not correct at all. But as far as the lifting of these travel sanctions against the people affected, that’s really a decision for the Australian and New Zealand governments to make."
However, Rae said the NFP has made submissions to the Ministerial Contact group to relax travel sanctions in times of medical emergencies, students affected under scholarships and other circumstances.
Meanwhile, ousted Prime Minister and Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua leader Laisenia Qarase refused to comment about the travel sanctions against Fiji.
NZ Foreign Minister, Winston Peters claims that a majority of the people in Fiji support the sanctions imposed on Fiji by NZ, including the political leaders who met with them yesterday.
However, Fiji's Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama said the sanctions are hindering Fiji's growth and development and it is worrying to hear Peters say that people have told them to continue with the sanctions.
“That’s the result of talking to the political parties when they should be talking to us only. I don’t know where he got the numbers from," Bainimarama said. "But a lot of people disagree with the sanctions and I would say a lot of people disagree with the sanctions."
Peters said the sanctions will continue.
