Government’s move is illegal, says ITF (The Fiji Times)

April 16, 2012

THE International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) is standing by its earlier statement regarding what it says is the illegality of government’s seizure of control over Air Pacific.

In a correspondence with The Fiji Times, ITF civil aviation secretary Gabriel Mocho said the top brass in government were “toying with a valuable asset to bolster their political position”.

However, Attorney-General and Minister for Civil Aviation Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said ITF’s comments regarding Fiji were a joke.

“If they condemn Fiji, then they are condemning Australia, Canada, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States, among other nations, which have the same laws governing airline ownership,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

Mr Mocho said government statements that the decree brought Fiji up to date with international civil aviation law were impossible to consider.

“It is difficult to see how the wider world would give serious consideration to any measure adopted by this regime until a new democratic government is elected and in power.”

Complete article in FijiTimes.com

ITF press Release HERE