Forum Concern Over Fiji situation
PRESS STATEMENT
2 November 2006
83/06
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR OF FORUM EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER SITUATION IN FIJI
The immediate past Pacific Islands Forum Chair, The Rt Hon Grand Chief, Sir Michael T Somare, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea has expressed his deep concern in light of the heightened political tensions which have developed in Fiji in recent days.
"We have just completed a very successful and significant Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Fiji, at which we discussed a range of issues related to the mutual support, we in the region need to give one another. We look forward to Fiji's leadership, as Chair of the Forum, and greatly hope that the legitimately elected government of Fiji will be in no way impeded from carrying out that role," Prime Minister Sir Michael said.
Sir Michael noted that in his address to the nation on 1 November, Prime Minister Qarase referred to the Biketawa Declaration adopted by Forum Leaders at their meeting in Kiribati.
"The Declaration committed Forum member countries to a number of guiding principles and courses of action, designed to enable the Forum to come to the assistance of a member state in times of crisis," Sir Michael said.
"And it is recognition that the problems of one of us may have serious implications for the region as a whole. We remain firmly committed to the Biketawa principles and, in accordance with the wishes of Fiji, will do all we can to support the efforts of its legitimate government."
ENDS.
2 November 2006
83/06
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR OF FORUM EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER SITUATION IN FIJI
The immediate past Pacific Islands Forum Chair, The Rt Hon Grand Chief, Sir Michael T Somare, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea has expressed his deep concern in light of the heightened political tensions which have developed in Fiji in recent days.
"We have just completed a very successful and significant Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Fiji, at which we discussed a range of issues related to the mutual support, we in the region need to give one another. We look forward to Fiji's leadership, as Chair of the Forum, and greatly hope that the legitimately elected government of Fiji will be in no way impeded from carrying out that role," Prime Minister Sir Michael said.
Sir Michael noted that in his address to the nation on 1 November, Prime Minister Qarase referred to the Biketawa Declaration adopted by Forum Leaders at their meeting in Kiribati.
"The Declaration committed Forum member countries to a number of guiding principles and courses of action, designed to enable the Forum to come to the assistance of a member state in times of crisis," Sir Michael said.
"And it is recognition that the problems of one of us may have serious implications for the region as a whole. We remain firmly committed to the Biketawa principles and, in accordance with the wishes of Fiji, will do all we can to support the efforts of its legitimate government."
ENDS.
