§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to promote an early return to democratic Government in Fiji; and if he will make a statement. [133242]
§ Mr. BattleFollowing the release of the hostages on 13 July and the armed overthrow of Fiji's democratically elected government we recalled our High Commissioner in Fiji for consultations. We also summoned the Fijian High Commissioner in London to make clear our disappointment that the new Fijian administration included individuals associated with Speight that the 1997 Constitution had been abrogated and to insist that Speight and his gang be brought to justice. We and EU partners made similar representations locally.
On 21 July we announced a number of targeted measures against Fiji,
- urging EU partners to open consultations under Article 366a of the Lome Convention to establish a timetable for return to democracy; all new EU aid to Fiji is currently on hold;
- pressing our EU partners to impose restrictions on travel by Speight and his associates;
- cancelling all FCO-funded assistance to Fiji's government;
- cancelling of naval visits and joint military exercises. All defence cooperation with Fiji will remain under review.
1083W - no licenses for any arms or security equipment for export to Fiji where there is a clear risk that it will be used for internal repression.
We are consulting Commonwealth and EU partners on the next steps and on ways to promote an early return to constitutional and democratic government in Fiji. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, of which the UK is a member, meets in New York on 14 September to review its decision on 16 June to suspend Fiji from its councils, and to monitor Fiji's progress in drawing up a roadmap back to democracy.