Forum Foreign Ministers to meet in Sydney Friday

Forum Foreign Ministers to meet in Sydney Friday

Foreign Ministers from the Member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum will meet this week to discuss the situation in Fiji, Mr. Greg Urwin, Forum Secretary-General announced today. Mr. Urwin said the meeting will be in Sydney this Friday (01/12/06).

A delegation from Fiji will explain the current situation in the country in the light of threats by the Commander and leadership of the RFMF to use force to oust the elected Government of Fiji.

Mr. Urwin said the Forum countries are gravely concerned about the situation.

“Any unlawful overthrow of a democratically elected Government has wide implications for the entire region,” Mr. Urwin said.

The Government of Fiji, he said, has indicated that it would welcome a collective statement from Forum Countries warning the RFMF leadership about the severe consequences of any illegal action.

Mr. Urwin said regional support for Fiji would be in line with the Biketawa Declaration which recognises that all Forum Member Countries have a strong common interest in upholding the basic principles of the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, respect for human rights and good governance.

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