US envoy criticized by Fiji military ruler for 'misleading' information

SUVA (AP) - Fiji's military ruler accused the U.S. ambassador on Wednesday of spreading misleading information, and likened the envoy's behavior to that of a New Zealand diplomat he expelled for allegedly meddling in the country's affairs.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama did not threaten to kick out U.S. Ambassador Larry Dinger, but the comments are likely to deepen divisions between the military government and countries, including the United States, demanding Fiji quickly return to democratic rule.

Bainimarama's condemnation of Dinger was in response to a statement by a U.S. Congressional delegation that visited the South Pacific nation last weekend that labeled coups like Fiji's "disastrous" and urged the regime to call elections soon.

Bainimarama expelled New Zealand High Commissioner Michael Green last month, accusing him of interfering in the country's domestic affairs, drawing criticism from New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and other regional leaders.

Of the U.S. delegation, Bainimarama said: "They're getting the same story from their ambassador, Larry Dinger, as Helen Clark was getting from hers, Michael Green. They're not getting the real story of what's happening in Fiji."

Dinger said in a statement he had not influenced the delegation's findings, but had helped arrange meetings with members of the ousted government and the regime's Foreign Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

"The congressmen came to their own conclusions," Dinger said.