SUVA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The South Pacific island nation of Fiji needs to continue to build its capacity and capabilities to effectively prevent and mitigate any possible terror attacks within its territory, a Fijian minister said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a counter-terrorism workshop in Nadi, Fiji's third largest city, Fiji's Minister for Defence and National Security Inia Seruiratu said that many can say or argue that Fiji is safe from so-called conventional threats. However, it is non-traditional threats that pose the biggest concern.
He pointed out that the counter-terrorism program is aligned towards answering and addressing some of the issues that Fiji has.
"It's the external environment that determines the changes within. So that we can be relevant and applicable and proactive. There's a lot that we can do during peaceful times as such. I always challenge my team and those close to me that this is the best time to prepare for these worst-case scenarios. We have issues on drugs, we have issues on human trafficking and the list goes on."
The minister said that the main aim of the workshop is for Fiji to build resilience and capability internally by developing a robust, practical and tested strategy that can effectively respond to any terror attack.
"As stakeholders and key players to our national security architecture, you have all been invited here with the expectation that you will engage and contribute innovatively and comprehensively towards identifying gaps within our current counter terrorism machinery," he said, adding that "the mandated roles that you play are indeed important to the security of our nation."
