Fiji military asks Australian police head to resign

The Fijian military Tuesday called on the country's Australian police chief to stand down.

According to New Zealand Radio International, Fijian Navy Captain Esala Teleni has made the request in a letter to Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes.

It is the latest move in an escalating war of words between Hughes and Fiji's military leadership.

Hughes said he has received the letter from Teleni, and he has no intention of relinquishing his position as Police Commissioner.

Meanwhile, the Fiji government has confirmed that the Prime Minister and Police Commissioner gave diplomatic missions approval to bring in added security personnel.

Fiji's military had claimed that both Australia and New Zealand violated Fiji's sovereignty and customs regulations by bringing police into the country without proper clearances.

The chief executive of the Prime Minister's Office, Jioji Kotobalavu, said Tuesday clearance was given by the relevant authorities last week after requests from the diplomatic corps.

Kotobalavu said, under the Geneva Convention, overseas missions are entitled to bring in their own security if they see the need for it.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark earlier dismissed suggestions that New Zealand had tried to send police officers into Fiji, saying proper processes were followed.

Source: Xinhua