FOREIGN Minister Bob Carr is calling on Vanuatu to reconsider its decision to expel 12 Australian police officers, amid a worsening diplomatic row.
The Australian Federal Police officers left the country yesterday, a day after Vanuatu’s government gave them just 24 hours to get out or face arrest.The threat came two weeks after the AFP arrested a senior Vanuatan official, Clarence Marae, while he was passing through Sydney Airport with the nation’s prime minister, Sato Kilman, en route to Israel.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was disappointed Vanuatu decided to expel the officers in “retaliation” for Mr Marae’s arrest.
“We regret that it was necessary to make the arrest during Prime Minister Kilman’s transit,” a DFAT spokesman said yesterday.
Mr Carr said he hoped the AFP officers – stationed in Vanuatu to help train and support the local force – would be allowed to return.”I’d be very happy if Vanuatu, regarded by us as a close friend, would find it possible to reconsider this decision,” he told the ABC.
“I think it’s in their interests. Our assistance to their police force has been substantial.”
Mr Marae was charged with conspiring to defraud the Commonwealth and will reappear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on May 16.
DFAT said Mr Kilman was treated with respect and dignity but Vanuatu has expressed anger that he was forced to fill in an immigration form.
Mr Carr said he was seeking more information from the relevant authorities.
“Obviously on the face of it that is a concern,” he said.
“I’m seeking an explanation from immigration and customs about that and I hope when I’ve got it I’m in a position to say something more.”
Mr Kilman has described Mr Marae’s arrest as “kidnap and breach of diplomatic protocol”.
“Is the Pacific important to Australia or not?” Mr Kilman was quoted as asking in a report on the Vanuatu Daily Post’s website.
“If yes, then Australia must make her stand clear on the Pacific.”
One of the AFP staff members in Vanuatu had been attached to the Australian High Commission, seven officers supported the Vanuatu police and four were in the country on a short-term basis.