4 Nov 2009

NZ threatens to eject Fiji officials in response to expulsion

8:10 am on 4 November 2009

New Zealand is threatening to eject Fiji officials in response to last night's expulsion notice against the heads of the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions in Suva.

The diplomats have been given 24 hours to leave Fiji after claims both countries interfered with the functioning of the Fiji's judiciary.

If the order is enforced, the New Zealand acting High Commissioner and the Australian High Commissioner will have to leave by 7 o'clock tonight.

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Murray McCully, says there are still diplomats from Fiji working in Wellington who could be removed today.

"'It's what we did last time and the basis for that is when steps are taken quite clearly captiously you need to emphasise the fact that gratuitous steps by some sort of gesture in return but we will think of that in the next few hours."

Murray McCully says travel advisory guidelines for Fiji are now under review because of the diplomatic moves.