Fiji refuses Australian police to protect High Commission

16/05/2008 18:43:45

Fiji's interim government has rejected an Australian government request to send Federal Police officers to protect staff at its High Commission in Suva.

The announcement came after a second death threat was received against Australian High Commissioner James Batley, in the form of a letter that arrived at the embassy on Thursday.

An earlier threat was made against Mr Batley last week, in a letter dropped off at the embassy by an unknown man in a taxi.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told parliament in Canberra on Thursday that a formal request for Federal Police to travel to Fiji was made last week after the first threat was received.

Interim foreign minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has told Fiji Television that his government believes local police are offering Australian staff sufficient protection.

He also rejected as speculation any suggestion that two death threats that have been made against Mr Batley might have come from the same source.

Mr Batley and other foreign diplomats met Fiji foreign ministry officials in Suva today to discuss the threats and the need for increased security.

The diplomats told officials that the threat against Mr Batley is being seen as a threat against all foreign government diplomats based in Fiji.

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