The leader of a military coup against the elected government in Dec. 2006 intended to represent his regime at a meeting of finance ministers from member countries of the International Monetary Fund next week.
The self-appointed interim prime minister has also taken over the finance portfolio after the resignation of Mahendra Chaudhry in August.
The U.S. embassy refused to comment on whether Bainimarama was refused a visa.
“As a matter of policy, the American embassy does not comment on individual visa applications,” a spokesperson said.
Washington has been an outspoken critic of the coup and of the military regime’s decision to break a promise to hold elections to restore democracy by the end of March next year.
Bainimarama’s senior adviser Parmesh Chand declined to comment immediately when contacted.
