The New Zealand government is expected to contact Fiji's Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama this afternoon and hold talks on the reported planned expulsion of Acting NZ High Commissioner Caroline McDonald.
NZ Prime Minister John Key this morning said that his government is concerned and hopes that McDonald is not told to leave Fiji.
Key has already written to Bainimarama.
This report from Radio NZ:
Commodore Bainimarama is currently attending the Bose ni Turaga at the military barracks and is expected to comment later.
McDonald is currently in a meeting at the NZ High Commission in Suva.
It is expected that Bainimarama will take the step after the refusal of the visa applications of the son of the President's Secretary Rupeni Nacewa, the daughter of the Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor Lepani Waqatakirewa and Fiji Under 20 soccer player Jone Nailogi as his father is in the military.
In an interview with Fijivillage yesterday, Commodore Bainimarama stressed that NZ and Australia should review its travel sanction policy and he confirmed that he made this clear to the NZ and Australian Foreign Ministers in his meeting with the Forum Ministerial Contact Group last week.
Bainimarama said NZ and Australia need to change their attitude now.
Interim Defense Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau said he is unaware of any such developments in relation to the reported planned expulsion of McDonald.
Immigration Director Commander Viliame Naupoto also said that he was unaware of any such incident last night.
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NZ PM Wants Talks With Bainimarama