Australia upgrades travel warning to Fiji

16/05/2008 13:08:50

The Australian High Commission in Fiji has stopped processing visa applications after a second death threat was made against High Commissioner, James Batley.

Radio Australia's reporter in Suva, Samisoni Pareti, reports that the High Commission says the latest threat against Mr Batley came in a form of a letter the Commission received in the mail today.

As a result, entry into the High Commission is now restricted, and locals wanting to lodge visa applications to visit Australia are not able to do so.

In a statement released today, the High Commission did not say when the restrictions will be lifted.

It says urgent, high-level talks are being sought with Fiji foreign ministry officials, as the death threat is the second to be received against Australia's most senior diplomat in the country.

The second threat arrived a week after a man in a taxi dropped off a letter containing a death threat against High Commissioner Batley.

Fiji police spokeswoman Ema Mua says the threats are being taken very seriously.

Travel warning upgraded
Earlier, the Australian government asked Fiji's interim government for permission for Federal Police to enter the country and provide extra security for High Commission staff.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has told parliament in Canberra that a formal request was made last week after the first death threat was received.

He says the arrival of second threat today has prompted Australia to update its travel warning to Fiji.

"I have today sent a formal note to the Fiji interim Foreign Minister reiterating the deep concern of the Australian government about these threats, and seeking urgent and full cooperation in responding to our formal requests for additional and personal protection and security," he said.

"Australia's travel advice for Fiji has, this afternoon, been updated to take account of these threats, as well as increasing levels of crime in Fiji."

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