U.S. Condemns Armed Takeover In Fiji

U.S. Condemns Armed Takeover In Fiji

Office of Public Affairs U.S. Embassy, Wellington

PRESS RELEASE

U.S. CONDEMNS ARMED TAKEOVER IN FIJI

Wellington, May 22, 2000 - The United States Government condemns in the strongest terms the illegal armed takeover of the Fiji Parliament building on Friday.

"We urge the gunmen inside who are holding the democratically elected leaders of Fiji hostage to release them unharmed immediately," said Department of State spokesman Richard Boucher.

"The consequences of any unconstitutional seizure of power on U.S.-Fiji relations would be very substantial and very detrimental to Fiji's standing in the international community."

The Department of State is advising U.S. citizens to defer travel to Fiji until the current situation improves and urges Americans in Fiji to exercise caution.

U.S. Embassy, 29 Fitzherbert Tce, Wellington Tel: 04/472-2068

© Scoop Media