NSW: Sanctions to remain until democracy restored in Fiji

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2000
NSW: Sanctions to remain until democracy restored in Fiji

SYDNEY, Aug 21 AAP - Foreign Minister Alexander Downer tonight said Australia would
maintain sanctions despite Fiji's assurances democracy would be restored within two years.

Mr Downer told reporters Fiji's interim Foreign Minister Kaliopate Tavola had today
given a commitment that constitutional government and democracy would be restored in Fiji.

"He told me that all Fijians in a new constitution would get the vote and it would
be a genuine democracy," he said.

However, Mr Downer said sanctions would remain in place until a democratic government
was returned.

Mr Downer reiterated the federal government's desire for the restoration of Fiji's
1997 constitution and the ousted government during today's Sydney meeting with his Fijian
counterpart.

But Mr Downer said it was clear from the meeting, the first between Australia and the
new interim government, that Fiji had no intention of restoring deposed prime minister
Mahendra Chaudhry and his government.

"We obviously regret that, and that reinforces the importance of us maintaining our
smart sanctions," Mr Downer said.

"But we will continue to do everything we can to try to get democracy back in place
in Fiji and to get that done as quickly as possible.

"I made it very clear that for Australia the best possible outcome would be restoration
of the 1997 constitution and the Chaudhry Government."

Mr Downer said his Fijian counterpart had indicated it would be two years before a
new election was held.

"Again that was too long a period for us," Mr Downer said.

AAP jo/apm/de

KEYWORD: FIJI DOWNER LEAD

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