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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General welcomes release of hostages in Fiji and urges early return to democracy and the rule of law

13 July 2000

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today welcomed the release of all the hostages held by George Speight in FijiIslands.  He said:

I am pleased and relieved that all the hostages have now been set free.

The events of the past 56 days have severely damaged Fiji's reputation. With the release of the hostages, the time is now ripe for Fijito rebuild its reputation in the international community.

I urge Fijians to show a renewed commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law.  The administration which emerges from the discussions of the Great Council of Chiefs should work within the framework of the 1997 Constitution to resolve Fiji's current political difficulties, with a view to the speediest possible return to democracy and the rule of law, in accordance with the Harare principles.

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