Pray for Fiji, Samoan PM says

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has some simple advice on how to deal with the head of Fiji's self-declared military government, Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama.

"We should pray a lot, a prayer with patience," he said in Auckland today at a Samoan-New Zealand joint ministerial conference.

After emerging with New Zealand Foreign Affairs minister Murray McCully from a conference session at Government House in Auckland today, he said he communicated with the Fiji coup leader through the media.

Earlier this week, New Zealand expelled Fiji's Acting Head of Mission in New Zealand, Kuliniasi Seru Savou in retaliation for New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner Todd Cleaver and Australian High Commissioner James Bartley being told to leave Fiji.

Today, Mr Malielegaoi said he had invited Cdre Bainimarama to visit Samoa.

"He said indirectly through the press - that is how we communicate - that I come over (to Fiji).

"I responded back that I understand that he understood the principle of reciprocity. I had already visited Fiji and it is a good island principle that he should pay me back a visit. He owes me a visit."

Mr McCully said the Government was comfortable its response was in "the right territory" but had not imposed trade or similar sanctions.

"We do not to wish any further harm to the Fijian people over and above that which is being done to them by their own government.

"We have been very restrained. We have tried to target sanctions in the regime directly but we accept this might be an area where we have to be patient.

"We will contemplate (Mr Malielegaoi's) advice as well," Mr McCully said.

- NZPA