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November 04, 2009 12:35 PM
Australia Expels Fiji's Top Diplomat In Canberra
MELBOURNE, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Australia has expelled Fiji's top diplomat in Canberra in retaliation for a similar move by the Pacific island's military regime.
Fiji's acting high commissioner, Kamlesh Kumar Arya, had been ordered to return to Suva, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith announced Wednesday.
On Tuesday Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, the military leader who has ruled Fiji since the December 2006 coup, gave the top diplomats of Australia and New Zealand a day to recall their envoys over a spat over travel visas.
He accused Australia and New Zealand of sabotaging nation-building efforts by refusing to grant visas to Fijian judges.
Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Australia would continue to take a hardline stance against the military regime.
"We're not about to simply allow a coup culture to spread," he told ABC Radio, adding that Australia wanted stability in the South Pacific region.
-- BERNAMA
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