Fiji complains about investigating EU team
Updated
Fiji's interim government has complained about the attitude of a European Union team, which is investigating the rule of law in the Pacific nation.
It is the second EU mission to visit Fiji in the past two months, and is part of an inquiry into Fiji's progress towards a return to democracy.
Its finding will be used by Europe to decide if it will lift its ban on sugar industry assistance and other non-humanitarian aid.
Our Pacific correspondent, Campbell Cooney, says in a statement, Fiji's interim attorney general, Aiyaz Sayed Kayum, has complained about the second EU mission, saying it has lacked impartiality, and has pre-judged the situation in the island nation.
Mr Sayed Kayum says the acting chief justice, Darrell Gates, has complained to the EU ambassador about the attitude of British mission member, Sir Andrew Leggatt, who he has described as "hostile and sarcastic".
As well, the interim attorney general has told Fiji TV that during his interview with the EU mission it insisted on asking inappropriate questions.
"It spent a large amount of time discussing the election timetable," he said.
The EU office in Suva says it has no comment at this time.
