By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – Following threats to expel New Zealand’s acting High Commissioner, Caroline McDonald boarded a flight bound for Auckland this morning.

Ms. McDonald, NZ’s High Commissioner, was accompanied by her husband, Simon Mark, who is also New Zealand’s Trade Commissioner. The two left this morning after 11 months of working to establish better foreign relations with Fiji.

McDonald has made clear, however, that she is still a friend to Fiji, “despite the sadness I feel,” she said.

This morning, British and American embassy cars provided a special diplomatic escort for the couple. The two boarded a 10:20 am Air New Zealand flight to Auckland.

Friends and family gathered at Nadi Airport in Fiji to see the couple off. In Auckland, several members of the media and foreign affairs personnel awaited Ms. McDonald and her husband’s arrival.

Five days ago interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum announced plans to expel Ms. McDonald to show the interim government’s anger over travel sanctions. Both New Zealand and Australia set travel restrictions affecting Fiji interim officials as punishment for the bloodless military coup of Fiji’s federal government in 2006.

New Zealand’s foreign affairs minister, Murray McCully, says he will meet with Ms. McDonald to discuss Fiji’s political situation in the next few days.

For more information, please see:
Matangi, Tonga – Alarm sounds again for media freedom in Fiji – 22 December 2008

Fiji Times – NZ still a friend of Fiji, says McDonald – 29 December 2008

Fiji Times – Diplomat backs democracy for Fiji – 29 December 2008

Radio New Zealand News – NZ hopes Forum will help to resolve dispute with Fiji – 29 December 2008