31 Jan 2007

Fiji military officer tells NZ Foreign Minister to mind own business

8:40 pm on 31 January 2007

The Fiji land force commander, Col Pita Driti, says the interim administration is not perturbed by pressure from New Zealand, and has urged the foreign minister, Winston Peters, to mind his business.

Col Driti made the comment after Mr Peters urged the Fiji military to stop its abuses and return the country to democracy.

The officer has told the Auckland radio station, Radio Tarana, that Mr Peters has no authority to make demands and has not visited Fiji since the coup.

"Tell him to go and clear up the Maori mess before he comes to interrupt and poke his nose into Fijian business. Sort out the Maori problems like a Maori."

Col Pita Driti