Regime Thanks PNG For Help

Issue No: 232; 28 November 2000

The Qarase regime has thanked Papua New Guinea for helping it gain legitimacy in the region and outside.

According to a report in yesterday's issue of PNG's National Newspaper Laisenia Qarase wrote to former Foreign Affairs Minister of PNG, Sir John Kaputin on 9 November thanking Kaputin and the Papua New Guinea government for their part in getting recognition for Fiji from neighbouring Pacific island nations and the world at large.

Qarase specifically thanked Sir John Kaputin for his efforts in leading a Pacific ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) Ministerial mission to report on Fiji, and Kaputin's help in getting Fiji to escape from the EU sanctions.

In his letter Qarase stated: "I would also like to take this opportunity Sir John to thank you most sincerely on behalf of the government and people of Fiji for the very important role you have played as chairman of the Pacific ACP mission to Fiji and for your support at the recent forum". Qarase invited Kaputin to visit Fiji at any time convenient to Kaputin.

The letter now confirms that the leader of the ACP mission to Fiji was neither impartial nor did he reveal his bias to the ACP or the EU before embarking on the mission.

END 28 November 2000.

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