Fiji PM needs more Goverment support

Date: 07 August 2000

Friday 4th August 2000

ACTU President Sharan Burrow has urged the Australian Government to play a leading role in supporting deposed Fiji Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry's efforts to have Fiji's civil and political crisis resolved within the frame-work of the country's 1997 Constitution.

Following a meeting with Mr Chaudry in Sydney today, Ms Burrow said that despite all he has been through, Mahendra Chaudry remains committed to seeing constitutional and democratic government restored in Fiji.

Mr Chaudry has called for the Fiji President Josefa Iloilo to establish a Government of national unity made up of democratically elected members of the dissolved parliament to oversee an urgent process of constitutional review in Fiji.

"The Australian Government must be unequivocal in its support for Mahendra Chaudry. Mr Howard and Mr Downer should lead international pressure on the Fijian President to establish an interim Government that has some constitutional, democratic and racial credibility," said Ms Burrow.

The South Pacific forum meeting scheduled for later this month provided a real opportunity for Mr Downer to seek regional support to increase pressure on Fiji.

The Australian Government should not hesitate to toughen sanctions against the Fijian administration if the pace of moves toward a return to constitutional rule were not increased. Ms Burrow urged Mr Downer to discontinue Australia's import credit scheme with Fiji and withdraw from favourable textile and clothing trade arrangements with Fiji if the situation did not improve.

Ms Burrow also urged the Government to ask the UN High Commission for Refugees to help provide shelter and emergency supplies to the hundreds of refugees stranded in the Gurmit Centre in Loccota following the destruction of their homes by rioting rebel supporters. ENDS

For further information

Contact:	ACTU George Wright 0419 556 616
Union:	ACTU
Phone:	0396635655
WWW:	http://www.actu.asn.au/

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