On Tuesday, the Prime Minister of Fiji expelled the top diplomats of Australia and New Zealand and told them to leave in 24 hours. Then New Zealand told the Fijian diplomat in Wellington that he had to leave and go home. Fiji has expelled four New Zealand diplomats since Commodore Bainimarama took over the government of Fiji in 2006. This is the first time an Australian diplomat has been expelled from Fiji.

When Bainimarama used the army to get rid of the Prime Minister and government in 2006, New Zealand would not allow any Fijian army or people working for the new Fijian government to come to New Zealand. Because the judges are working for Bainimarama, they cannot travel to New Zealand. Australia also has the same travel ban. This is why Bainimarama is very angry with Australia and New Zealand.

Fiji’s relationship with the Commonwealth and with other Pacific countries is very difficult at the moment. They want Fiji to have a democratic government now but Bainimarama says that he cannot hold elections until 2014.

New Zealand wants good relations with Fiji. It is a popular holiday country for many New Zealanders. New Zealand is also popular with many Fijians. About 20,000 Fijians apply for visas to New Zealand each year – to immigrate, to study or to travel here. At the moment, nobody can get visas.

Listen also to these items on FijiPacific Island Forum 2008; Problems in Fiji 2008 and More Problems in Fiji