Fiji’s Interim Prime Minister issues ultimatum to the international community……………….

A report in the New Zealand’s Dominion Post this morning says that Fiji’s Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama [Pictured right – credit The Dominion Post] said yesterday, “We are now the government of this country.”  “We decide what to do.”  “We have set our goals, we have set our missions and we will work towards its end.“  “Nobody is going to change that.”

“We have never interfered with your sovereignty.”  “In turn we request that you don’t interfere with us.”

In a press conference at Suva’s army barracks yesterday, the Interim PM, interviewed by The Mole at Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange last month – pls visit https://www.travelmole.com/stories/1118318.php?news_cat=&pagename=searchresult and found to be a humble, modest man and passionately committed to Fiji, escalated the diplomatic crisis with New Zealand and Australia and singled out Prime Minister Helen Clark, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Australia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, saying they had failed to understand the military was calling the shots for Fiji and it would continue to do so with or without their help.

He also added that the return to a parliamentary democracy was a matter for Fiji and no one else.

The conference came shortly after a morning church service where the military commander was snubbed by Suva’s diplomatic corps, which was invited to attend the service but failed to show.

The corps has gathered around expelled New Zealand high commissioner Michael Green, who was designated “persona non grata” last week after a tense standoff between Fiji and New Zealand.

He has been ordered to leave the country by today.

Commodore Bainimarama spoke yesterday for the first time about the rugby match in Suva earlier this month between the Junior All Blacks and Fiji, at which Mr Green received VIP treatment while Commodore Bainimarama was left to sit in the stands.

Commodore Bainimarama said that it was childish to suggest that was why Mr Green was expelled, but the keen rugby fan had harsh words for both Mr Green and the Fiji Rugby Union, which had done the Fijian people “a big disservice”.

“Out of the 800,000 people in Fiji, they went and nominated the enemy of the day in a Kiwi to be chief guest when we play the All Blacks.”  “I don’t think that has ever happened in Fiji before.”

He said Mr Green had been “in our face” since the Qarase government was overthrown in a military coup last December, and had to go to maintain the sovereignty of Fiji.

A New Zealand replacement for Mr Green would be welcomed, but that is unlikely to happen for some time.

The NZ Government is reviewing its relationship with Fiji and the Cabinet will weigh up its options today.

Miss Clark brushed aside what she called Commodore Bainimarama’s “bizarre justifications for the illegal and unconstitutional coup”, saying yesterday that his position was nothing new.

“The fact that Fiji is unable to give any specific reason for ejecting the New Zealand high commissioner speaks volumes about its provocative action.”

Meanwhile, Commodore Bainimarama had a cup of tea and chatted to Sir John Strachan, a New Zealander and member of the Order of St John, at Suva’s Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral after the ambulance brigade’s annual dedication service yesterday.

Sir John would not express a view on the expulsion of Mr Green, insisting St John was non-political.

What do you think?  Should New Zealand and Australia stop interfering in Fiji’s affairs, if they have been or should they be left alone to govern their own country and return it to democracy as the Interim Prime Minster has said will happen – click on COMMENTS below and let us have your views.

Report by The Mole