24 Sep 2007

Uncertainty over Fiji's UN talks as partners deny plans

3:32 pm on 24 September 2007

Italy's deputy head of mission in Canberra says no talks have been officially organised with Fiji's interim prime minister this week.

Fiji media reports Commodore Frank Bainimarama is due to have talks with political leaders from Italy, Venezuela, Cuba and the Dominican Republic while he is in New York for the UN general assembly.

But Roberto Mengoni says it's the first he's heard of it.

"There is no official meeting between Italy and Fiji in New York at this time. I mean the source of this information is from Fiji, so maybe we should ask the Fiji government what's...well maybe they requested the meeting, but to my knowledge there is nothing organised at this moment."

Roberto Mengoni says his office in Australia would be responsible for organising any diplomatic meeting with Fiji.

Venezuela's head of Mission in Canberra also has no knowledge of any planned meeting with Fiji's interim prime minister.

And in Sydney, the office of the Dominican Republic and Cuba's consulate are both unaware of any formal talks with Fiji this week.

Commodore Bainimarama is due to travel tomorrow to address the United Nations General Assembly about Fiji's situation since the December coup.