PM Rabuka: No timeline yet for Israel Ambassador appointment

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has completed interviewing candidates for the position of Fiji’s Ambassador to Israel.

This was confirmed by the PSC chairperson, Luke Rokovada. He referred all questions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs, will appoint the new ambassador.

In an interview yesterday, Mr Rabuka said there were expressions of interest from those who wanted to take up the role.

“I do not want to entertain,” Mr Rabuka said.

“I will let it go through the normal process.”

The Prime Minister did not divulge further information on those who had applied, but instead said: “All from Fiji or Fiji associations like some who have worked with Fiji and were probably former residents and working overseas, but still maintaining their interest in Fiji.”

Mr Rabuka said there was no time frame set to make the appointment.

“Not necessarily because we have the permanent representative at the United Nations, ambassador Filipo Tarakinikini, who is a non-resident ambassador at the time and will probably be on his way across to Israel to set it up.”

Mr Rabuka said Mr Tarakinikini would help complete the set-up of the embassy before it operated.

“He will help with the setting up, which is not complete and just to introduce the staff to the other players who may be of great support and interest to us,” he said.