PM waiting for word on Fiji's plan to send military officer

Prime Minister John Key says he has not had any formal advice that the military regime in Fiji wants to send an officer to serve at its high commission in Wellington.

"I'm aware that the Fiji media is reporting that, but I would not like to discuss at this point if it would be acceptable," Mr Key said.

The move could be seen as provocative because of the Government's travel ban on members of the military-led regime installed after a coup in 2006 led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who is now Prime Minister.

Relations between New Zealand and Fiji have been rocky and further deteriorated last year with the tit-for-tat expulsion of senior diplomats, which followed Commodore Bainimarama's repeated rejection of international deadlines for elections.

The Fijivillage website yesterday reported that the Permanent Secretary for Information and military spokesman Lieutenant- Colonel Neumi Leweni had been nominated by the Fiji Government to take up a counsellor's post at the Fiji High Commission in New Zealand.

The Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's office, Lieutenant-Colonel Pio Tikoduadua, told the website Fiji was awaiting word from the New Zealand Government on the nomination.

A spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully would not confirm whether the Government had received the request yet.

There was a convention against commenting on diplomatic appointments while discussions were continuing, she said.

Late last year, New Zealand and Fiji agreed to improve diplomatic relations.

Mr McCully talked to his Fijian counterpart, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, in Nadi about appointments in Suva and Wellington of additional counsellors.

They also agreed, in principle, to appoint deputy heads of mission in both capitals, although that will take longer.

At the time Mr McCully said the moves did not indicate a change in New Zealand's policy towards Fiji, or changes in sanctions, but showed a determination to improve the relationship.

Fiji was down to a single official in Wellington, and New Zealand had only a policy adviser in Suva, with two administration officials and immigration staff.

- NZPA