13 Apr 2007

NZ Foreign minister denies any NZ involvement in alleged attempt to overthrow Commodore Bainimarama

10:19 am on 13 April 2007

New Zealand's foreign minister Winston Peters says New Zealand had nothing to do with the alleged approach to the Fiji Military to overthrow Commodore Bainimarama.

Colonel Driti, claimed that the New Zealand High Commissioner, although not present, would have supported his Australian counterpart.

But Winston Peters says that's not true.

"The reality is that no such authorisation came from me. New Zealand in fact was not present. The High Commissioner was on the other side of the island at that time. At all times we have argued for the constitutional process to be followed and that has been our singular line to all parties in Fiji."