SECRETARY-GENERAL, FOLLOWING FIJI DEVELOPMENTS CLOSELY, APPEALS FOR RESOLUTION ON BASIS OF 1997 CONSTITUTION

Press Release
SG/SM/7419

SECRETARY-GENERAL, FOLLOWING FIJI DEVELOPMENTS CLOSELY, APPEALS FOR RESOLUTION ON BASIS OF 1997 CONSTITUTION

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General continues to follow closely developments in Fiji following the visit there by his Special Envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello. The Secretary-General was dismayed to hear that the Great Council of Chiefs has recommended to President Kamisese Mara that the democratically elected Prime Minister and his Government be replaced by an interim administration. These recommendations appear to go well beyond the scope of the powers vested in the Great Council. The Secretary-General strongly appeals to President Mara to resolve the present crisis on the basis of the 1997 Constitution. It is only by upholding the democratic process that the long-term stability and prosperity of the population of Fiji, as well as the international standing of Fiji, can be secured.

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