Fiji lambasted NZ government travel warning

Fiji's interim government has criticised as baseless a New Zealand government travel warning which says there is a security risk in Fiji.

Fiji's acting Tourism Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the advisory posted on New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Mfat) website on Christmas Eve was not based on facts but on "conjecture and political posturing by the New Zealand Government".

But Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said a quick survey showed there had been hardly any cancellations by New Zealand tourists despite the warning.

"Fiji is a safe destination to travel to. In fact, Fiji is a lot safer to travel to than some parts of South Auckland. Many New Zealand tourists currently in Fiji, in particular Aucklanders, will testify to this," he said.

New Zealand and Fiji have expelled each other's high commissioner after a diplomatic row over New Zealand sanctions to pressure Fiji into holding democratic elections.

Self-appointed Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama told the New Zealand Government that acting High Commissioner Caroline McDonald would be ordered to leave Fiji unless a visa was granted to George Nacewa, the son of a senior official in Suva, so he could finish his studies at Massey University.

source: nzpa