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New Zealand should not overreact to the proposed Fijian appointment to its high commission in Wellington, a diplomatic expert has told Radio New Zealand.
Military officer and Permanent Secretary for Information Neumi Leweni was this week earmarked as a counsellor at Fiji’s high commission in Wellington.
But former New Zealand diplomat Terence O'Brien, whose postings included being NZ's Ambassador to the UN, said NZ should not get into a public and destructive spat with Fiji over the proposed appointment.
“I think the New Zealand Government has constructively tried to reopen diplomatic contact with Fiji,” O'Brien reportedly said.
O'Brien said NZ had tried to be constructive and urged a calm approach.
"I think New Zealand should try to keep its powder dry, no overreaction and quietly if necessary inform the Fijians the appointee is not acceptable to us.
"….. New Zealand should continue as far as it can to adopt the quiet approach."
He said more progress could be made on a low key note.
Leweni’s appointment follows a meeting late last year between NZ Foreign Affairs minister Murray McCully and his Fijian counterpart Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, where they agreed to improve diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The duo also agreed, in principle, to appoint deputy heads of mission in both capitals, although that will take longer.
