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24 JULY 2000 SUVA (Pacnews) --- The British Government says it will not
issue licences for any arms or security equipment for export to Fiji.
In a statement issued through the British High Commission in Suva, British
Foreign Affairs Minister, John Battle said this decision is in light of a
'clear risk that it will be used for internal repression.'
"All applications for strategic export licences for Fiji will be examined
against our national and EU criteria on arms exports," Battle said.
Battle said Britain would lobby with European Union partners to implement
travel restrictions on Fiji coup leader, George Speight and his supporters
and cancel all naval visits and joint military exercises. All defence
co-operations between the two countries will remain under review.
"We are determined to pursue a commitment by the Fijian authorities to
a
timetable for return to democratic government based on a fair constitution.
We will pursue this bilaterally through the European Union (EU) and the
Commonwealth."
All new EU aid to Fiji is currently on hold pending detailed discussions
with the EU. " In the absence of any immediate improvement in the situation
on the ground, we are urging our EU partners to open consultations under
Article 366a of the Lome Convention to establish a timetable for return to
democracy," Battle said.
Article 3666a sets out a procedure for consultations between the EU and
member countries of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP), if the ACP
state is deemed to be in breach of one of the 'essential elements' of the
Convention (in respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law). If
after consultations, no remedy is found, co-operation under the Lome
Convention, including aid and trade concessions may be partially or fully
suspended.
Fiji was suspended from the Council of Commonwealth at the Commonwealth
Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) on June 6.
CMAG has already agreed to meet in early September to review the progress
Fijian authorities are making in returning the country to democracy and
consider next steps to press for an early return to democratic government in
Fiji...PNS (ENDS)
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