Ex-diplomat urges low key response to Fiji proposal

New Zealand should not overreact to an inappropriate proposed Fijian appointment to its high commission in Wellington, a diplomatic expert says.

The Government has not been commenting on reports that Fiji wants to send a ranking officer to serve at its high commission in Wellington. The proposal is provocative given the New Zealand Government's travel ban on members of the military-led regime which was installed following a bloodless coup in 2006 led by Commodore Voreqe (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 Cdre Bainimarama's repeated rejection of international deadlines for elections and measures against the media.

Late last year New Zealand and Fiji agreed to improve diplomatic relations after Foreign Affairs Minister Murray 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.

The proposed appointment of Permanent Secretary for Information and Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Leweni as a counsellor at the high commission is seen as a slap in the face for New Zealand.

Former New Zealand diplomat Terence O'Brien, whose postings included being New Zealands' Ambassador to the UN, said New Zealand should not get into a public and destructive spat with Fiji over the proposed appointment.

"I think the New Zealand Government has constructively tried to reopen diplomatic contact with Fiji. This on the face of it (if true) is certainly pretty provocative," Mr O'Brien told Radio New Zealand.

"The problem stems from the context in which all these problems have arisen with Fiji - over our deep objection to the military coup and to the way the administration is developing in that country. You have to see it in that context and New Zealand needs to make its position firmly clear."

Mr O'Brien said New Zealand had tried to be constructive and urged a calm approach.

"I think New Zealand should try to keep its powder dry, no overreaction and quietly if necessary inform the Fijians the appointee is not acceptable to us.

"It has to be done quietly. These sorts of matters are handled better in that way, that of course does not mean the Fijians themselves might not react, that Commodore Bainimarama might not react publicly. But New Zealand should continue as far as it can to adopt the quiet approach."

He said more progress could be made in a low key way avoiding exaggerated public comment that marked earlier dealings.

New Zealand appears to be following that path with Prime Minister John Key yesterday only saying that he had not had any formal advice on reports on the appointment and Mr McCully declining to comment.

- NZPA