Fijian military commander in New Zealand

6:00 PM

Fijian military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama is in New Zealand for medical treatment.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff says the Commodore is on a private visit for treatment not available in Fiji, and the New Zealand Government is not meeting any of his expenses.

Mr Goff says Commodore Bainimarama is not on the immigration blacklist and there are no other reasons why he should be refused entry to this country.

He is not a member of Fiji's interim Government.

Mr Goff says he is widely regarded as having played a positive role in the restoration of stability in Fiji after last year's coup.

The Minister says he will be meeting with Commodore Bainimarama to outline New Zealand's expectations of the interim Fijian Government during the upcoming appeal against the validity of the 1997 constitution.

- IRN