20 Jan 2007

Fiji interim PM accuses New Zealand and Australia of working against his administration

9:05 am on 20 January 2007

Fiji's military commander and interim prime minister, Commodore Bainimarama, has warned New Zealand and Australia to expect retaliation if they continue to ignore and frustrate his administration.

The warning comes after the new head of the Prime Minister's Office, Pramesh Chand, was denied entry into New Zealand to visit his family.

Mr Chand had previously lived in New Zealand for many years as that country's trade commissioner to the South Pacific.

Commodore Bainimarama says his administration has been acting kindly towards "big brother" nations New Zealand and Australia to give then a chance to accept the situation and help Fiji move forward.

But he says New Zealand and Australia have chosen to ignore the realities and are working against the interim administration.

He says he is considering retaliatory measures if the two countries do not respond positively to Fiji.