Fiji to expel New Zealand ambassador

WELLINGTON - Fiji's military regime has decided to expel New Zealand's top envoy in a "grave act" which will have serious consequences, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Thursday.

The government of military leader Voreqe Bainimarama, who overthrew the elected government in a December coup, has declared New Zealand's high commissioner (ambassador) Michael Green "persona non grata," Peters said.

"The New Zealand government deplores this action. Expelling diplomats is not the way for neighbours to conduct their relationship," Peters said.

"Declaring a high commissioner persona non grata is a very grave act for any country to take. It is just one step below breaking relations.

"There will undoubtedly be consequences for Fiji, as this action will be viewed very seriously not only by us, but by Fiji's other international partners including Pacific Island nations, Australia, the United States, and the European Union."

Peters said he was unaware of any activities by Green which would justify his expulsion.

Green had drawn attention to New Zealand's policy in the wake of the coup, which was the role of a diplomat, he said.

Agence France-Presse

New Zealand PM condemns Fiji's expulsion of ambassador

Wellington - The decision of Fiji's military regime to expel New Zealand's ambassador was "completely unacceptable", Prime Minister Helen Clark said Thursday.

"This is not proper behaviour. There are no grounds whatsoever for sending a New Zealand high commissioner home from Fiji," Clark told reporters in Sydney.

Clark was commenting on the announcement by Foreign Minister Winston Peters that Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama had decided to expel Michael Green, Wellington's high commissioner (ambassador) to Fiji.

She also warned New Zealanders not to travel to Fiji, saying they would be at increased risk after the expulsion. The government has warned about the risks of travel to the popular South Pacific holiday destination since Bainimarama overthrew the elected government in December last year.

"I don't think a country which has had a coup, and people who led the coup, in control, is a safe country to be. I've constantly made my opinion known on that.

"When a government deliberately inflames relations like this, you don't know what the next step will be."

Clark said her government had been told the military government was angered by criticisms of the coup by Green.

But she added she had heard that Bainimarama felt "slighted" when Green was offered a VIP seat at a recent rugby match in Suva between New Zealand's Junior All Blacks and the Fiji national team.

Green, who had been New Zealand's envoy in Suva since late 2004, is expected to return to New Zealand as soon as Monday next week, Peters said.

Agence France Presse