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Issue No: 538; 2 March 2001
New Zealand and Australia have both expressed their pleasure at the decision of the Fiji Court of Appeal upholding the 1997 Constitution and the Parliament. Both countries, which have stood firm on their call for the reinstatement of parliamentary democracy in the country, have called on the Qarase regime to abide by the decision. Both have stated that they are monitoring the progress in Fiji to decide on whether to loosen their sanctions on Fiji. New Zealand's Prime Minister, Helen Clarke stated that New Zealand would leave it to Fiji to decide how best to proceed now, but she expected full compliance with the decision. NZ's Foreign Affairs Minister, Phil Goff stated: "It is important that extremist elements are not allowed again to use violence to undermine democracy and the rule of law. I have expressed to Mr. Qarase that if the courts' ruling is acted on, I am confident Fiji will once again take its rightful place in the Commonwealth family of nations. New Zealand would be willing to provide whatever assistance possible to facilitate an early return to democracy". |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
