FIJI TIMES : Friday, December 26, 2008
Update: 1:42PM The Young Peoples Concerned Network believes the interim government acting on questionable intelligence will impact development of youth advocacy programs in Fiji.
The youths network expressed its disappointment with the recent move to expel the acting New Zealand high Commissioner Caroline McDonald without a proper explanation. YPCN questioned the intelligence on which the interim Government based its accusation of embassies and locals colluding and spying on government officials.
Young Peoples Concerned Network spokesman Peter Waqavonovono said that as a pressure group, YPCN have also had members engaging with officials and ambassadors, but at no time has there been any collusion.
He said that as a pressure group, YPCN have also had members engaging with officials and ambassadors, but at no time has there been any collusion.
“We are also called into closed meetings to discuss our grievances and correct false misrepresentations. We have never come across an ambassador or embassy staff that would fit this ‘undiplomatic’ referencing. In fact all our meetings have been very professional and on most occasions very diplomatic without any mischievous collusions.”
He adds: “The expulsion of Caroline McDonald will not rest well for investment and the development of youth advocacy programs in Fiji”.
“It also sends a wrong message to other foreign missions in the country who see ‘unexplained’ and ‘baseless’ expulsions as reasons to advise against aid, scholarships, cultural exchanges, investments and visitations - aspects of our economy that directly involve youths of this country.
“This is a reason why we are particularly concerned, because out of this expulsion only the people of Fiji hurt and not the people in the interim regime. We demand that full reasons for the expulsion be revealed to the general public.”
Government spokesman Major Neumi Leweni, meanwhile, has said on national television that people will not understand the actions it’s taken because they do not have all the details.
YPCN spokesman, Peter Waqavonovono said the latest expulsion of a foreign diplomat will not rest well for investment and the development of youth advocacy programs in Fiji.
"This is a reason why we are particularly concerned, because out of this expulsion only the people of Fiji hurt and not the people in the interim regime," he said.
"We demand that full reasons for the expulsion be revealed to the general public, the interim regime owes this to the youths of Fiji."