The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs in the People's Coalition Government, Dr Tupeni Baba and Ratu Isireli Vuibau (Assistant Minister for Fijian Affairs) returned to Fiji following a successful and fruitful visit to Samoa.

Dr Baba held discussions with the Samoan Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and his officials on Friday. The discussions focused on the possibility of Forum's engagement in assisting to bring about a resolution of the crisis in Fiji.

Dr Baba briefed the Prime Minister about recent developments in Fiji. He stressed the importance of reinstating the 1997 Constitution and finding a political solution to the crisis consistent with its provisions.

He also discussed the imposition of a constitution review process by the Interim Regime and said that the "process lacked both credibility and legitimacy and that it could not lead to a legitimate constitutional outcome".

The Samoan Prime Minister and officials of the Government received his presentation very positively. The Samoan Prime Minister accepted that the reinstatement of the 1997 constitution provided the most principled and realistic way of resolving the Fiji crisis. He also expressed his concern about the long time frame that the Interim Administration had mapped for the return of constitutional government.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi informed Dr Baba that he would raise the matter at the Forum Heads of Government meeting next week and request the Forum to assist Fiji in finding a speedy and constitutional settlement to its crisis.

Samoan Government, the Prime Minister stressed, was deeply concerned with the security situation in Fiji. The Prime Minister reminded Dr Baba that Samoan students had not returned to USP because of their continuing concerns about security and law and order.

Dr Baba and Mr Vuibau had a stopover of several hours in Tonga on their way to Samoa. During this stopover, they were met by Tongan Government officials, including its Attorney General Hon. Tevita Tupou and the Minister for Works Hon. Cecil Cocker and briefed them about developments in Fiji.

Dr Baba has communicated to all the Forum Heads of Government's about the possible framework for Forum's engagement in resolving the crisis in Fiji and similar crisis in FIC's in future. He will be holding further discussions on this framework prior to the Heads of Governments' meeting.

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands
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Last update: August 27, 2001