17 Aug 2010

United States expands its diplomatic presence in Fiji

3:12 pm on 17 August 2010

Fiji's interim administration has approved the appointment of two US Agency for International Development officers to the US embassy in in Suva.

The two USAID positions will be filled next month.

Fiji's interim Foreign Affairs Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, said the appointments mark a return of a USAID office to Suva after a lapse of fifteen years.

Ratu Inoke says the officer's duties will include overseeing all USAID programs in the Pacific.

A spokesman for the US Embassy says details of specific projects and funding are likely to be announced in October or November.

But he says the appointments are in line with US policy towards Fiji of doing no harm to the people of Fiji and continuing with economic assistance, with a strong emphasis on disaster preparedness and relief.

He says the new US Embassy in Suva is now due to be ready in March next year.