13 Jul 2010

Samoa PM calls for tougher line on Fiji from Australia, NZ

9:35 pm on 13 July 2010

Samoa's Prime Minister has called on Australia and New Zealand to take a tougher line with the interim Fiji leadership after the expulsion of another diplomat.

The acting Australian High Commissioner, Sara Roberts, was declared persona non grata on Tuesday, with the regime claiming she had been interfering in the country's domestic affairs.

Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, one of the staunchest critics of Fiji's Frank Bainimarama, says the expulsion is no surprise.

"To expel diplomats from Fiji, has become the norm for Fiji. So I think Australia and New Zealand should think seriously about Fiji and the present leadership and respond in the most appropriate manner."

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.