Fiji’s interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was not allowed entry into the US on his way to a UN conference in Vienna, Austria.
And the AG’s spokeswoman Brenda Ragi says Sayed-Khaiyum today lodged a complaint to the UN Secretary General following the US Embassy's refusal to grant a transit visa to attend the conference.
In a statement, the AG said he “accepts that whilst the US, like any other country, has the right to refuse entry or deport non-citizens, member States of the UN cannot and should not be stopped from fully exercising their right to participate in UN matters.
“After all, all States in the UN are equal sovereigns.”
The US Embassy in Suva imposed visa sanctions on members of the interim Government and the military following the 2006 overthrow of the Qarase Government.
The embassy explains that the"post-coup US visa sanctions remain in place, including on Ministers of the interim Government".
It adds that the US does not comment on individual visa cases.
Sayed-Khaiyum left the country two days ago to attend the conference for signatories to the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
He said his trip opens up the potential of getting assistance for the anti-corruption unit in Fiji.
He said the Government under interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama recently rectified the UN Convention.
Fijilive
Reader Comments
Posted Comments
Posted
By: Mukesh Posted On:May 09 2008 19:42:45
Comment:
This show the attitute of Americans towards Fiji. I would suggest that the road that is leading to American Embassy in Suva be immediately classified as a public road and all security personnal be asked to move to the land owned by the Americans. There not allowing a visa to the IAG shows Americans don't respect the Interim Government, not realising that our people are fighting the losing battle with the Iraqi people.
Posted
By: Sai Posted On:May 09 2008 22:13:25
Comment:
This is like the taste of your own medicine.
Posted
By: brandon Posted On:May 09 2008 23:28:57
Comment:
The US is a bully. If the AG was white, dang man he be all over da world. "Terrorist", that's what they call us.
Comment:
This should not be seen as a big fuss as Fiji has been doing the same with others. It goes on to show that all states have their own stances on what they believe is best for their own country. The AG should just carry on and try to move Fiji to the next elections from now.
Comment:
The US is boastful of these actions. Terrorist or not you need a legal entry permit. The AG cannot do any harm. But it's a shallow protest by the US any way.
Posted
By: Steven Hines Posted On:May 10 2008 11:39:51
Comment:
As I have said before: In the past:
. the US has helped dissenters in South American countries carry out bloody coups.
. they have supported rebels in these countries. Rebels that have terrorised and killed their own people.
. they are the only country to drop nuclear bombs on people (Japan).
. they have used the most feral weapons to terrorise innocent people of Vietnam. Killing about 6 million of them.
. they have invaded and terrorised and killed innocent Iraqis under the pretex of getting rid of their non-existent weapons of mass destruction. About one million dead and still counting.
. they helped Suharto of Indonesia murder 8 thousand of their own.
. they have attacked and terrorised North Koreans.
The list goes on. Still they have no shame. Showing their faces in broad daylight.
Posted
By: Allen Sebastian Posted On:May 10 2008 11:50:20
Comment:
... 'rectified' the UN convention? Wow!
Posted
By: Lawrence Lal Posted On:May 10 2008 12:14:11
Comment:
The USA just made a mockery of itself by refusing a transit visa to the Fijian attorney general into the country. The US has no authority to refuse entry for diplomats of another counrty for an diplomatic visit to United Nation ... the UN is an independant world body and USA is not only the member. It does mean that the USA has the sole authority if the UN headquaters is in the US.
Posted
By: Knight Posted On:May 10 2008 12:22:14
Comment:
I am afraid you will have to suffer some inconvenience to your travel plans till you are part of the IG.
Posted
By: amina templi Posted On:May 10 2008 13:09:22
Comment:
Welcome to the real world.
Posted
By: Che Posted On:May 10 2008 16:48:11
Comment:
Well we have to accept that because they are excercising their sovereignty within their gigantic nation against a very little one. Then they should also let the little one exercise its sovereignty within its so small state.
