The US Ambassador to Fiji Larry Dinger stresses that members of the United States Congress make their own independent judgments, including about Fiji.
After comments by Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama that the ambassador is misguiding the US officials on what is happening on the ground in Fiji, Dinger said the embassy's job is just to seek whatever meetings the Congress Delegation requests.
In a statement, Dinger said after hearing a range of views, the Congressmen came to their own conclusions and decided to issue a media statement that reconfirmed the US law and policy regarding coups and democracy.
However, as the US Congressional team highlighted concerns that Fiji may not have the next elections in 2009 after meeting with the Interim Foreign Affairs Minister, the Interim PM said it is clear that the visiting team has not spoken to a wide cross-section of the society.
Commodore Frank Bainimarama also said that the countries like the US should assist Fiji in finding the best solution to have a truly democratic, free and united country rather than just calling for elections as soon as possible.
Ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has spoken out in defense of the US Ambassador to Fiji, Larry Dinger.
Qarase said Dinger is only reporting what is happening in Fiji. He also said the US Congressional team consulted with a number of ousted parliamentarians like Krishna Datt, Mick Beddoes, Ted Young, Ilaitia Tuisese, Sam Speight Junior and others who gave the correct information on what is happening on the ground in Fiji.
US Congressional Team Made Their Own Judgments - Dinger
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