DATE IN 14PT BOLD HERE

MEDIA RELEASE

July 14 2010

Expulsion of the Australian High Commissioner to Fiji

On 13 July, acting Australian High Commissioner Sarah Roberts was expelled from Fiji. She had been given 36 hours to leave the country. Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith described the action as unjustified and disappointing but that he does not intend to respond in kind.

On hearing of the expulsion, Jeremy Browne Britain’s Foreign Office Minister said “I am extremely disappointed that the Australian Acting High Commissioner has been expelled by the regime in Fiji. The UK Government believes this action will increase further Fiji’s isolation from the international community. The expulsion will hamper the dialogue that the international community has been calling for in order to assist Fiji in its return to democracy. The UK welcomes Australia’s measured response to this unfortunate situation”.

ENDS