Police: Case handled at diplomatic level

POLICE have shelved investigations into a confrontation between Taiwanese and Chinese diplomats earlier this month.

Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said a complaint lodged by an official from the Chinese Embassy was being handled at the diplomatic level as agreed to by all parties involved.

“The Fiji Police Force therefore will not be conducting further investigations and we will not be making any further comments on the issue,” Ms Naisoro said.

Contacted for a comment yesterday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Yogesh Karan referred this newspaper to the Vienna Convention regarding immunities of diplomats.

Mr Karan said he could not comment further as he was busy attending a meeting with other diplomats.

Fiji’s Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act gives effect to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and states that no diplomat shall be liable to any form of arrest or detention. Under the Vienna Convention a diplomat enjoys immunity from criminal action.

Meanwhile, when asked whether he held a separate meeting between the two consulates, Mr Karan said he would not comment on the matter because of its sensitivity.

■ An article in this newspaper yesterday titled “Taiwan official claims assault” said police had received a report pertaining to the alleged incident. The report was lodged by a Chinese Embassy official. We regret any doubts this may have caused. - Editor.