The New Zealand government is keeping mum on news Fiji has picked a controversial senior coup figure to represent the Pacific nation in Wellington.
“We are just testing New Zealand’s genuity you know, in having to arrange certain names to see how far they can accommodate what we want and if they accept Leweni, it’s a great move,” Brigadier Driti said.
Meanwhile, the Fijian government has admitted it’s trying to ruffle New Zealand’s feathers with the proposal.
Land Force Commander, Brigadier Pita Driti told Auckland’s Tarana Radio on Wednesday that his government had put forward his name for the position of counsellor at the High Commission as a “test” for New Zealand.
However, it is expected that Mr McCully, who offered the additional post as an olive branch to improve strained relations between the two countries, will be less than impressed with hosting Lt Col Leweni as a diplomat.
Lt Col Leweni was heavily involved in the military regime’s December 2006 coup to overthrow Fiji’s last democratically-elected government.
His name is also on a list of people banned from even entering the two countries, let alone working there.
“We don’t comment on these appointments,” a spokesman told AAP.
As the permanent secretary for information he has been responsible for censoring local media,ugg shoes, deporting journalists and curbing free speech, all moves that have met with criticism from the Australian and New Zealand governments.
NZ not commenting on Fiji nominee
AAP
The office of New Zealand’s foreign minister, Murray McCully, is refusing to comment on the situation in line with its policy not to preempt diplomatic appointments.
In a provocative move bound to be unpopular in New Zealand,Paul Smith Pants, Fiji’s military junta has put forward one of its most notorious military men,timberland kids shoes, Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Leweni, to work in its Kiwi-based high commission.
“We consider it confidential until such point as the agreement’s been signed off.”
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