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Fiji's deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has condemned the decision to expel New Zealand High Commissioner Michael Green.
"It is rather unfortunate that this drastic action by our interim government has been made," Mr Qarase told Radio New Zealand.
"The decision in my view is very ill-conceived and rather immature. I know Michael Green, he's an experienced diplomat, he's well respected here and all he has done is perform his diplomatic duties faithfully and honestly."
Mr Qarase did not know why Mr Green was being targeted. He had heard that Mr Green had been talking to members of the ousted government. "I don't know if that is correct or not," he said.
It was revealed by Prime Minister Helen Clark last night that Fiji has refused visas for two New Zealand police to travel to Suva to provide security for Mr Green.
She also outlined attempts by Fiji to use the expulsion of Mr Green as a bargaining chip to soften NZ's sanctions against the ringleaders of December's military coup there.
She described Fiji's statement over the expulsion of Mr Green, citing domestic interference, as "ridiculous" and showing that it had no genuine reasons for its action.
Helen Clark said she believed New Zealanders were at risk in Fiji and the Government travel advisory, at present urging caution, was under review.
Speaking in Sydney, Helen Clark said New Zealand had intended to send two police officers to Fiji to protect Mr Green from potential harassment before he departs - his residence is next to the home of self-appointed Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama - but they had been denied visas.
She believed Mr Green was at risk, although there had so far been no reports of harassment.
"His job has been extremely difficult and unpleasant for him for some time," the Prime Minister said.
She said Mr Green had for the past six months been expressing the Government's view that Fiji's interim Government was unconstitutional and illegal.
She also said Fiji tried to use the expulsion of Mr Green as a bargaining chip in what she described as "delusional, risible and bizarre behaviour".
The Prime Minister revealed that Fiji's Foreign Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, had told his New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, during a telephone discussion that Suva would not expel Mr Green if he did not return from holidays he was soon to take.
Ratu Epeli then told Mr Peters that Fiji would not declare the high commissioner persona non grata if Wellington lifted its travel ban on the coup leaders and their associates.
Helen Clark said the Fijians were told "there was no way New Zealand was going to negotiations, where we conceded things in response to their bizarre behaviour".
After a week's negotiations, Suva confirmed at midday yesterday that it would expel Mr Green, citing interference in Fiji's domestic affairs, though it was not specific.
Helen Clark also referred to a suggestion that Commodore Bainimarama may have been offended by seating arrangements at a rugby match on June 2 when the Junior All Blacks played Fiji.
Mr Green was given the status of "chief guest" and asked to sit in front of the grandstand on a dais. The military commander was also given a VIP seat but in the grandstand behind the diplomat.
Mr Green has several days to leave but was making no comment yesterday.
Earlier Helen Clark described Fiji's action as "disgraceful" and "a gigantic leap backwards".
The Prime Minister, in Australia on a trade mission, was expected to discuss the expulsion with Australian Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd late last night and will discuss further action today with Prime Minister John Howard in Sydney.
"I have no doubt that Australia's diplomatic response will be strong," Helen Clark said last night.
"We've had strong indications of solidarity from Australia."
New Zealand would review the entire bilateral relationship and attempt to work in concert with Australia, the United States and Britain, all of which condemned Fiji's actions yesterday.
Possible escalation in sanctions includes preventing the coup ringleaders from even transitting in New Zealand or Australia and looking at whether the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat should continue to be based in Fiji.
The other countries will also discuss how to prevent Commodore Bainimarama from attending the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga in October.
The PM indicated she would step up pressure on the UN to stop using Fijian peacekeepers.
Mr Peters said New Zealand would not reciprocate by expelling Fiji's High Commissioner in Wellington, Bal Ram.
Mr Ram, who was appointed by the last democratically elected Fiji Government, has already been recalled home by the military-appointed Government.
- with NZPA
