"That the Counselor [Salusalu] be recalled immediately. He is no asset to the Embassy as he has little to offer. Secondly, the Police wish to interview him and this will require waiver of diplomatic immunity. The [UAE] Foreign Ministry has talked to me about declaring him persona non grata if he is not given access... Any such eventuality would be embarrassing to Fiji and should be avoided, as it the usual diplomatic practice. He is not only a threat to me but to our Government if he is left in this sensitive position."
Aliki Salusalu is the Deputy Head of Mission - Counselor- at the Fiji Embassy in UAE
"After preliminary investigation, the Police have identified the prime suspect as my Counselor on the basis of motive, know-how, and dubious behavior after the event...They have told me that I am obliged to file a formal complaint for them to start the investigation. They have asked me for particular information. They have asked me to have access to the Counselor for an interview.." - Robin Nair to acting Permanent Secretary Esala Nayasi, MFA
"As you are aware Sir, I have worked here with both of my arms tied behind my back. What I am about to say is not new to you, because we have discussed these many times before. Apart from the fact that the Counselor finds his job beyond his capabilities as he is a IT specialist and finds the foreign policy environment impossibly alien to him. We cannot blame him for his orientation and I understand that. As a result, I have spent an inordinate amount of time turning my other cheek and mentoring and exposing him to every opportunity to learn. He is also an ultra-nationalist and finds the changes taking place in Fiji to be against iTaukei interests. It appears to have affected him seriously. He has been vocal about these. He finds it difficult to accept the changes. He feels that Indo-Fijians are not entitled to any senior government positions but these should be reserved for ITaukeis. Both he and his wife have associated with fringe elements of the Fijian community here who are open opponents of PM and even more strongly AG, in spite of my counseling him... He has coveted my job from day one, believing he was sent here by PM. He found it difficult to settle in especially when he had been No.1 in his earlier position. He appeared to be in a rush to depose me by discrediting me. He started his sabotage of me straight after his arrival. I have tried to tell him that his time will come if he focused on this wonderful opportunity given to him and his family. My first Secretary who worked very well with me initially when we set up the Embassy, has been heavily influenced by the Counselor. Mr [Emosi] Rakai has admitted this to me personally saying he has acted under instructions from the Counselor. Mr Rakai tries to walk on both sides of the road."
"I have now reported to HQ as required a serious criminal activity perpetrated against the Embassy and against the accredited Ambassador. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the local Police have taken the breach seriously. There has been a breach against the sanctity of the Embassy. They have named a suspect and has sought full cooperation from me. I am surprised that your answer is that we should have another investigation into allegations against the Counselor and now a principal suspect in a criminal offence. Any objective onlooker would at least come to the conclusion which the Police here have concluded, that the Counselor indeed would have the motive given his serious activities against me over a continuous period of 2.5 years, coupled with his recent grievance that I have been asked to stay longer."
"The decision to have an investigation despite the record of Mr Salusalu, is, of course, legitimately yours but I wish to say that I do not support an inquiry in such an urgent circumstance. The matter is with the Police as the alleged crime was committed in the local jurisdiction. They are conducting an investigation. I also do not support the decision that the prime suspect be left in-charge of the Embassy over the period of my absence. It would be like a letting the prime suspect in arson case to be in-charge of the crime scene. I have done as I am obliged to do. I have reported the incident to you and provided my recommendation. This would be the second time my recommendation has not been accepted in a disciplinary matter involving staff here. Each time they have been slapped in the wrist only for serious illegitimate activities."
SHUT OUT: Kubuabola and Nayasi refused to appoint Rakai to take charge of the Embassy in Nair's absence; they handed control to Salusalu
"That I appoint Emosi Rakai to be Charge D’Affaires until my return on 22 July. I fly out on Wednesday evening. Mr Rakai is much more experienced and given the challenge, he can rise up to it. He weakened considerably after Mr Salusalu was appointed the Counselor above him. Sir, it has taken me a long time to make such holistic deliberations and recommendation. Perhaps Mr Salusalu should have been gone after his first serious offence in early 2013. I have tried very hard to help him. He is now beyond rehabilitation or redemption. He walks into one disaster after another. In spite of the shenanigans, I have been able to have this Embassy perform to a high standard for the last three years. I am tired now!" - Nair to Nayasi, 22 June 201
