Fiji expels Aust envoy
Fiji has expelled the Australian Acting High Commissioner following escalating tensions between the two countries.
Sarah Roberts has been declared persona non-grata in accordance with the provision of Article 9.1 of the Vienna Convention, a Fiji Ministry of Information statement said.
Her expulsion is regrettable and a direct result of recent reports that Ms Roberts has been interfering with the internal affairs of Fiji and conducting unfriendly acts, Fiji’s Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said.
Ratu Inoke said “Fiji had exhausted all avenues and on numerous occasions we have relayed our concerns to the Acting High Commissioner, Ms Roberts”.
These actions ultimately resulted in undermining the growth prospects of the Fiji economy, and the good rapport between Pacific Island Countries, Ratu Inoke said.
“The practice of quiet diplomacy was given every chance to prevail by Fiji authorities in our efforts to seek understanding and co-operation. Ms Robert s was advised to stop interfering in Fijis domestic affairs, as Fiji is a sovereign nation."
Ratu Inoke said the Australian government had been engaged in strategies to undermine Fiji's sovereignty and weaken the economy; this has been further highlighted by calling on MSG countries, especially Vanuatu, not to attend the MSG Leaders Summit.
Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith described the move as both unjustified and disappointing.
"It is unjustified and unjustifiable, and it is deeply disappointing," Mr Smith told media.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully has supported his Australian counterpart and said the expulsion was "counterproductive on almost every level".
The MSG leaders’ summit and associated meetings is very important to Fiji and the Pacific countries given the opportunity it presents to expand ties in trade, tourism and peoples exchange. A strong MSG makes a strong Pacific Islands Forum.
According to Ratu Inoke, most of the non-MSG member countries had already accepted the invitation to attend. Ratu Inoke said Australia has no business in the MSG leaders’ summit but had continued to discourage MSG member states.
This is evident in the increase in aid from Australia in its 2010-2011 budget to the Pacific. This special aid from Australia will see the Vanuatu Government receive $66.4m, the highest ever in the country’s aid from Australia.
Ratu Inoke has expressed disappointment at the continued efforts by Australia to undermine the Fiji Governments effort to boost the economy and return to Parliamentary democracy by 2014.
Fiji was being subjected to undue pressure and frustrated in its efforts by the use of economic, financial and political clout of Australia which feels that they are the sole arbiter for what is best for us all, Ratu Inoke said.
Fiji as a Sovereign State will not be influenced by Australia on what we consider to be of benefit to our country and people.
Ratu Inoke said it was extremely important that Australia re-engaged with Fiji and that continued dialogue to work through issues. Unfortunately, this did not work in Ms Sarah Roberts’ case.
He remained open and optimistic that the temporarily strained diplomatic relations were repairable.
Fiji has expelled the Australian Acting High Commissioner following escalating tensions between the two countries.
Sarah Roberts has been declared persona non-grata in accordance with the provision of Article 9.1 of the Vienna Convention, a Fiji Ministry of Information statement said.
Her...
Fiji has expelled the Australian Acting High Commissioner following escalating tensions between the two countries.
Sarah Roberts has been declared persona non-grata in accordance with the provision of Article 9.1 of the Vienna Convention, a Fiji Ministry of Information statement said.
Her expulsion is regrettable and a direct result of recent reports that Ms Roberts has been interfering with the internal affairs of Fiji and conducting unfriendly acts, Fiji’s Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said.
Ratu Inoke said “Fiji had exhausted all avenues and on numerous occasions we have relayed our concerns to the Acting High Commissioner, Ms Roberts”.
These actions ultimately resulted in undermining the growth prospects of the Fiji economy, and the good rapport between Pacific Island Countries, Ratu Inoke said.
“The practice of quiet diplomacy was given every chance to prevail by Fiji authorities in our efforts to seek understanding and co-operation. Ms Robert s was advised to stop interfering in Fijis domestic affairs, as Fiji is a sovereign nation."
Ratu Inoke said the Australian government had been engaged in strategies to undermine Fiji's sovereignty and weaken the economy; this has been further highlighted by calling on MSG countries, especially Vanuatu, not to attend the MSG Leaders Summit.
Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith described the move as both unjustified and disappointing.
"It is unjustified and unjustifiable, and it is deeply disappointing," Mr Smith told media.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully has supported his Australian counterpart and said the expulsion was "counterproductive on almost every level".
The MSG leaders’ summit and associated meetings is very important to Fiji and the Pacific countries given the opportunity it presents to expand ties in trade, tourism and peoples exchange. A strong MSG makes a strong Pacific Islands Forum.
According to Ratu Inoke, most of the non-MSG member countries had already accepted the invitation to attend. Ratu Inoke said Australia has no business in the MSG leaders’ summit but had continued to discourage MSG member states.
This is evident in the increase in aid from Australia in its 2010-2011 budget to the Pacific. This special aid from Australia will see the Vanuatu Government receive $66.4m, the highest ever in the country’s aid from Australia.
Ratu Inoke has expressed disappointment at the continued efforts by Australia to undermine the Fiji Governments effort to boost the economy and return to Parliamentary democracy by 2014.
Fiji was being subjected to undue pressure and frustrated in its efforts by the use of economic, financial and political clout of Australia which feels that they are the sole arbiter for what is best for us all, Ratu Inoke said.
Fiji as a Sovereign State will not be influenced by Australia on what we consider to be of benefit to our country and people.
Ratu Inoke said it was extremely important that Australia re-engaged with Fiji and that continued dialogue to work through issues. Unfortunately, this did not work in Ms Sarah Roberts’ case.
He remained open and optimistic that the temporarily strained diplomatic relations were repairable.
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