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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General welcomes progress in Fiji Islands

10 September 2001

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today warmly welcomed the completion of the parliamentary elections held in Fiji Islands from 25 August to 5 September 2001. "This augurs well for a return to the democratic process in Fiji," he said.

Mr McKinnon expressed his satisfaction with the work carried out by the Commonwealth Observer Group led by Sir Henry Forde QC MP. Despite registering some shortcomings, the Group judged that the conditions did exist for a free expression of will by the electors and that generally, the results of the elections reflected the wishes of the people. He looked forward to the announcement of the formation of a democratically elected government in Fiji.

The Secretary-General recalled the recent decision of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group that, with the formation of a democratically elected government, Fiji would no longer be in violation of the principles of the Commonwealth's fundamental political values. Further, its suspension from the councils of the Commonwealth would in such circumstances be lifted; and Fiji would then be eligible to attend the October 2001 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Brisbane, Australia.

Mr McKinnon noted that the Commonwealth had played a crucial role in encouraging the restoration of constitutional democracy and a return to national unity in Fiji since May 2000, especially through the work of his Special Envoy, Justice Pius Langa, Deputy President of the Constitutional Court of South Africa.

Mr McKinnon gave assurances that the Commonwealth would remain actively engaged in Fiji and that it stood by to assist Fiji in the consolidation of democracy and the very important task of national reconciliation.

Note to Editors:
Fiji Islands was suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth in June 2000 following the overthrow of the country's elected government in May 2000.


01/56 10 September 2001

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