Fiji, New Zealand officials hold phone conversation amid diplomatic crisis
16/12/2008 17:11
New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully today spoke with Fiji's
interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama on phone amid speculation
that the Fiji interim government is about to expel New Zealand's acting high
commissioner in Suva Caroline McDonald over Wellington's visa policies and
travel bans.
McCully has declined comment about the discussions, but the New
Zealand government has said it won't relax the restrictions, Radio New Zealand
International reported.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said no agreement
was reached during the talks, though there will be further dialogue between the
two governments.
In Suva, the Fiji Prime Minister's Office said it will issue
a statement on the matter at an appropriate time, the Fijilive online
reported.
The Fiji interim government said through its travel bans, the New
Zealand government is unfairly punishing innocent citizens who are not involved
in any way in the country's political affairs.
The bans were imposed as
so-called smart sanctions in response to the 2006 military coup -- a move
similar to the decision in 2000 to refuse entry to those linked to Fiji's
previous coup fronted by George Speight.
Those banned to transit through
Australia and New Zealand can leave the South Pacific mainly via South Korea and
Papua New Guinea.
In a related development, a New Zealand Television
journalist was sent home from Fiji today amid a row over the New Zealand
government's refusal to grant a visa to the son of a senior Fijian
official.
New Zealand Television One News reported that its Pacific
Correspondent Barbara Dreaver had been taken into custody at Nadi airport last
night, as she went through immigration shortly after her arrival.
Fiji Times
editor Netani Rika said he understood Dreaver was now on a plane home from
Fiji.
Xinhua
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