27 Mar 2013

Vanuatu's roving ambassador to Russia fired

5:18 am on 27 March 2013

Vanuatu's new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edward Natapei has terminated the appointment of Ti Tam Goiset as roving ambassador for Vanuatu to Russia and other Eastern countries.

This comes after the former government under Sato Kilman was questioned in parliament recently about a provision for Ms Goiset to earn commission on any foreign funding she secures for Vanuatu.

After the removal of Sato Kilman as Prime Minister last week, Mr Natapei moved quickly to revoke Ms Goiset's appointment.

"Her appointment was not in accordance with the standard procedure of roving ambassadors or ambassadors in other countries; another reason being that recipient countries should indicate whether or not they accept her as an ambassador to their countries. In this case, we have not received any agreement from the recipient countries."

Vanuatu's new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edward Natapei.