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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General deplores developments in Fiji Islands

19 May 2000

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today issued the following statement concerning reports of a coup in Fiji Islands.


"I am sad and angry at reports received of an attack on the democratically elected Government of Fiji Islands and the detention of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, several Cabinet Ministers and others.

I have been in touch with the President of Fiji Islands, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, to offer my full support for his efforts to restore constitutional rule.  I will be in the Pacific region next week and will be following developments closely.

The unconstitutional overthrow of an elected government in the Commonwealth would invoke the provisions of the Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme on the Harare Declaration.  The Commonwealth deplores any such action and hopes for a return to constitutionality as speedily as possible."


Note to Editors: 

Fiji Islands' membership of the Commonwealth lapsed following a military coup in October 1987 but it resumed its membership in 1997.

 

00/37 19 May 2000

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