Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-09-07-Speech-4-232"
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"en.20000907.10.4-232"2
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". – The release of the hostages on 13 July, the arrest of the rebel leader and his main associates on 26 July and the efforts of the Government to reinstate law and order give some cause for satisfaction. However, there are still serious worries about the future of Fiji.
First and foremost, the use of violence by certain ethnic groupings to impose their rule on other communities is unacceptable. Secondly, a democratic government must be re-established. The present interim government has no democratic basis. There should be a clear blue-print for full restoration of democratic principles and practices. The 1997 Constitution, which lays down the principle of equal rights for all Fijian citizens, must be reinstated. This process should be finalised very quickly. The time-frame currently being proposed, two or three years, is far too long.
The fundamental ethnic antagonism in Fiji must be resolved. Multiracial cooperation and harmony must become a reality. This might require international mediation. If we are to be realistic, we must support every possible step on the way to stability without losing sight of the scenario I have just outlined. The international community and the donors of aid to Fiji agree on these principles.
As far as the EU is concerned, the Council has informed the Fijians of its request to begin consultations under Article 366 of the Lomé Convention, which calls for a thorough examination of the situation on the basis of information to be supplied by the Fijians. Further input will be provided by the report of an ACP ministerial fact-finding mission to Fiji which took place in mid-August and which was led by the Foreign Minister of Papua New Guinea. Furthermore, the Commission received first-hand information from the legitimate Prime Minister, Mr Chaudhry on 31 August.
We are now at the beginning of the consultations. Measures under Article 366 will be taken if the consultations fail to produce an acceptable solution for both sides in the discussions. All that can be said at present is that the measures, if any, should not harm the poor and those already suffering from the severe economic crisis triggered by the events. Poverty-related projects should, consequently, continue. In conclusion, I hope that the coordinated effort of the international donor community will have the desired effect on the current government in Fiji.
Even if we achieve our aim of restoring democratic principles and a government chosen in fair and equal elections within less than two years, this will be only a first step for the solution of the Fijian problem. A strong long-term effort is required from all parties and, in the first instance, from the Fijian Government and the communities, to work on the entrenched prejudices and anxieties so that racial cooperation and harmony can be restored and become a reality in Fiji. This is absolutely essential and there are no alternatives to that reality."@en1
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