Fiji diplomat labels Pacific Forum 'bullies'
Updated
Fiji's acting High Commissioner, Kamlesh Arya, to Australia has accused the Pacific Forum countries of being bullies and ganging up against Fiji following the decision to threaten to suspend the island nation from the Pacific body.
Mr Arya is particularly scathing toward Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
He's told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program Australia should listen more to what Fiji wants instead of each Monday telling it to hold an election.
Mr Arya accuses New Zealand of being cunning by refusing visas to Fiji's Forum delegation to attend part of the talks held away from Nuie, making it impossible for Suva to comprehensively argue its case.
He also attacks Papua New Guinea backing the suspension, claiming it was linked to Australia including it in the new guest workers scheme, while excluding Fiji.
He says that was an example of how decisions were made.
"The outcome could have been influenced by the cheque diplomacy that currently prevails within the forum, that aid decides the decision," he said.
