The UK has joined Australia and New Zealand in
recalling its High Commissioner from Fiji, in protest at
the latest developments in the country's political crisis.
The Fijian High Commissioner in London has also been
summoned to the Foreign Office to be told of UK
concerns about the formation of a new government.
The Foreign Office will stress the need for a return to
constitutional rule.
The Fijian rebel leader, George Speight, has rejected
the composition of a new interim government, outlined
on Tuesday, and threatened to stir up more unrest.
Mr Speight's spokesman said the new cabinet,
headed by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, was totally
unacceptable - even though it includes several
supporters of the rebels and excludes ethnic Indians, as
the rebels had demanded.
He said most of its members were opportunists
who were not committed to the rebels' cause.
The move followed the swearing-in of the new Fijian
president, Ratu Josefo Iloilo.
Mr Speight, who overthrew the previous government and
held more than 20 people hostage for almost two
months, said he was not prepared to accept Prime
Minister Qarase - a banker installed by the military
more than two weeks ago.
Australia and New Zealand have already imposed a
range of sanctions on Fiji until full democracy is
restored.
Australia, Fiji's main trading partner, announced on
Tuesday it was cutting aid by 30% and imposing some
trade, defence and sporting sanctions to push the South
Pacific nation to return to constitutional government.
Australia has also called on the UK government to bar
Fiji from the rugby league World Cup in November.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia could
not ban Fiji's Olympic team from the Sydney games in
September, but other teams would be barred from entering the country.
"Our position is this: we do not want, for as long as Fiji
remains anti-democratic as it currently is, Fiji sporting
teams to visit Australia," Mr Downer told reporters.
Australia has also suspended all naval visits and joint
military exercises.
New Zealand imposed trade restrictions on Monday.
The United States and the European Union - which buys
most of Fiji's cash crop of sugar - have also threatened
sanctions.
The new government is to help draw up a new
constitution and plan fresh elections. It is due to remain
in office for two years.
There are no ethnic Indians on the list of 20 interim
cabinet members, although one, George Shiu Raj,
becomes assistant minister for multi-ethnic affairs.
Most members of the new cabinet were in the civilian
government installed by the Fijian military during the
country's political crisis.
A handful of Mr Speight's supporters have been
offered cabinet and assistant ministerial positions, but rebel
spokesman Joe Nata said the new administration was
"totally unacceptable and insulting".
"They are treading on some dangerous ground. It will
result in a backlash," Mr Speight warned.
The rebel leader, an ethnic Fijian, opposes any
domination of Fijian politics by ethnic Indians, who
make up 44% of the country's 800,000 population and
dominate the economy.
Mr Speight said on Tuesday he expected his group to
dominate the government, warning of trouble if that did
not happen.
"I think some of the people are trying to do me in and
they are going to meet with some very strong resistance," he said.
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