He delivered such a tongue lashing of his guest that when the next day's front page of the Fiji Sun read 'War Cry' it took a while to realise it referred to the Pacific Nations Cup between Tonga and Fiji rather than Bainimarama.
Key's response was more diplomatic but gave little ground. He made it clear New Zealand did not resile from its response to the coup. Nor would New Zealand bow to the demand to withdraw from the main table of the Pacific Islands Forum. "New Zealand is not going anywhere."
Rock, say bula to hard place.
Key has turned his affable personality into quite an effective tool of diplomacy over his eight years as PM. In Bainimarama, Key had met his match. Bainimarama did respond to Key's repartee in kind, and Key reported he was warm and engaging in person.
Bainimarama got what he wanted out of the visit. Clearly stung by questions about how 'democratic' Fiji actually was, Key's visit was a chance to show his Government was accepted as legitimate by other leaders - and to talk tough in the process.
As for Key, he went to Suva with some flattery and requests, to drop a ban on some foreign media and for Bainimarama to return to the Pacific Islands Forum. In the end, Key could not even manage to extract an acceptance of Key's return invitation for Bainimarama to visit New Zealand. Agree to disagree was as far as things went.
Perhaps Key should have taken some guidance a billboard on the open roads on the way of Suva, featuring Bainimarama and the words "watch your speed."
It is a road safety advertisement, but could equally apply to diplomacy with a former dictator.
