Brussels, 23/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - The first consultation meeting between the Fiji Authorities and the European Union, in Brussels last week, under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement (suspension clause in case of violations of obligations stemming from essential elements of the partnership: democratic principles, rule of law, respect of human rights), allowed for progress that, distances, without definitively discarding, the threat of the Union's suspending cooperation with the country. The guarantees offered by Fiji for the return to constitutional order were welcomed by the Union, with some reservations, and warrant developments in the situation being monitored carefully.
Replying to the invitation made to come and explain the removal of the constitutionally-elected President and the government and the putting on hold of the 1997 Constitution on the backdrop of ethnic conflict, the Fijian Minister of Foreign Affairs, External Trade and Sugar, Mr. Kaliopate Tavolla (accompanied by the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Mr. Emitai Bolauagua and his Ambassador to Brussels, Mr. Isikeli Ulunairai Mataitoga) detailed as follows the phases of the democracy restoration process: a) the three-year period initially envisaged has been reduced to 18 months which should end by June 2002 with free elections; b) the Constitutional Review Commission is already up and running. It is made up of seven native Fijians and four Indo-Fijians. The two main Indo-Fijian political parties declined an invitation to be members and constrained their affiliates (some of which former Ministers willing to become involved) from joining; c) in the interest of democratization and transparency, the Commission has been asked to amend the articles concerning the electoral system and particularly the so-called "alternative vote" system which gives priority to political parties to the detriment of individuals. In an effort to fight against economic disparity, "positive discriminatory measures" in favour of the underprivileged groups, particularly native Fijians, should be guaranteed under the Constitution.
As for the authors of the coup, the Fijian Minister said they were in prison.
The European Union, represented by Coreper President, Mr. Pierre Vimont and the Director General of the Commission's Development section, Mr. Theodorakis, asked that the judgement of the latter be speeded-up. It also has reservations regarding the principle of positive discrimination, that it believes could lead to frustration and conflict - reason why, "in the European context, it is preferable to speak of national cohesion and social equality". Asked why the Fijian side had not opted for a government of national unity during the transitional period, the Fijian Minister considered that such a government would have introduced an element of uncertainty, harmful for the current stability and progress towards the rule of law.
Sir John Kaputin Minister of Foreign Affairs of Papua-New-Guinea, member of the ACP delegation (led by the President of the ACP Council of Ministers, Armand Guy Zounguere Sokambi) who assisted Fiji in these consultations, compared the country's situation with that of New Caledonia where positive discriminatory measures, introduced by the French Government, had restore peace within the society.
In its conclusions, the Union welcomed the resolution of the hostage crisis in Fiji but lamented the fact that the constitutional government had been removed from office, the Parliament had not been restored according to law, and that the 1997 Constitution had been suspended. It took note of the Fijian Government's provisions pertaining to the Constitution, democratic elections within eighteen months, and bringing the authors of the coup to justice. The EU expressed its intention to pursue the dialogue in an open and forthright manner, and vowed to examine Fiji's request for additional aid in the light of the development of the political situation.