The Interim Defence Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau said Fiji is aware of its obligations under the Vienna Convention and it will not tolerate any threats by any person against diplomats in the country.

Ratu Epeli said Fiji has no record of allowing or engaging in activities that will cause harm to its diplomatic community and it will ensure that it remains unblemished.

He said comments by the Australia Authorities that the Fiji Military Forces was behind the threats against the Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, James Batley is absurd and unsubstantiated.

Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations, Article 22 states that the receiving state is "under special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity."

On the Interim Government's refusal to have Australian Federal Police officer here to protect the High Commission, Ratu Epeli said Fiji has always and will provide the necessary security to any diplomat in Fiji.

He said if James Batley feels the need for more security presence then it will be provided to him. Ratu Epeli also stated that Batley is moving around Fiji freely and he has called on the Australian Authorities, who he said are occupying themselves with speculation, to put their time to better use with facts.