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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Ministerial Mission Visits Solomon Islands

9 June 2000

A Commonwealth ministerial mission is visiting Solomon Islands on 10 June to meet with key players in the current situation and convey Commonwealth support for the restoration of democracy and constitutional rule in that country.  

It was confirmed, however, that at the request of the military authorities in Fiji Islands, the ministerial mission has postponed its visit to Fiji Islands until next week. Commodore Frank Bainimarama has confirmed his willingness to receive the mission on Friday 16 June.

In a statement, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said:

News that Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu has been released from house arrest is welcome. I reiterate my hope that political differences in that country will be resolved by constitutional means.

The Secretary-General added:

While the postponement of the visit to Fiji Islands is regrettable, especially as the ministers are already in the region, I understand the reasons for it. Commodore Bainimarama has assured me personally that he is committed in principle to meeting with the Commonwealth delegation, but has requested understanding regarding the dates. We have consulted the concerned ministers, who agree that the visit should be deferred by a week.

Note to Editors:

The ministerial mission is led by the Foreign Minister of Botswana, who is the Chair of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) and includes the Foreign Ministers of Australia and New Zealand. The Special Envoy of the Malaysian Prime Minister to CMAG is being represented by the Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia on the mission to the Solomon Islands.  

Fiji Islands was suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth at a special CMAG meeting held on 6 June in London. The meeting decided to despatch a ministerial mission to Fiji Islands and the Solomon Islands to assess the current situation in both countries.

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