KEY POINTS:
The Government has received a "robust" letter from Fiji's self-appointed prime minister Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, but no action has been taken so far against acting high commissioner Caroline McDonald.
Cdre Bainimarama last week threatened to expel Ms McDonald unless a visa was granted to a Fijian student who is the son of a senior official in Suva.
He was told yesterday the visa would not be granted, and since then the Government has been waiting to see how he would react.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully told reporters just before 6pm tonight he had received a letter from Cdre Bainimarama which set out his "very firm views" about some issues.
"As things stand at the moment our high commissioner is still at her post and I have no word to the contrary," he said.
"I've had no advice at all on the status of the high commissioner."
Mr McCully said he would continue to "work constructively" to resolve the issue and would reply to the letter tomorrow.
He spoke to Cdre Bainimarama by phone yesterday after the formal message telling the Fijian leader that a visa would not be granted to George Nacewa, the son of Rupeni Nacewa who is a secretary in the office of the president.
That would breach the travel sanctions New Zealand imposed on Fiji soon after Cdre Bainimarama ousted its elected government in a bloodless coup two years ago.
Cdre Bainimarama wants an exemption granted so Mr Nacewa can study at Massey University.
He has become increasingly irritated by the sanctions, which apply to members of his government, its officials and the military. Relatives are also affected.
Ms McDonald is understood to be taking leave from tomorrow, although Mr McCully would not confirm whether she planned to return to New Zealand.
If Ms McDonald is expelled she will be the second high commissioner to get marching orders.
In June last year Mike Green was declared persona non grata after being accused of interfering in Fiji's domestic affairs.
- NZPA
