Australia Announces Sanctions Against FijiAustralia announced Tuesday it will recall its high commissioner to Fiji and terminate most non- humanitarian aid programs to the Pacific nation as part of a range of sanctions following the coup there.All joint military exercises would be suspended and Fiji national sporting teams would be banned, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told reporters. But Fiji would be allowed to compete at the Sydney Olympics, Downer said. "The government is relieved by the long-overdue release of all remaining hostages in Fiji but condemns the apparent consolidation of unconstitutional and undemocratic rule in that country," Downer said. "On 29 May, I announced the government would take a range of measures against Fiji in the event of an unacceptable outcome to the coup," he said. "Those measures will now be implemented with immediate effect," Downer said. Downer said government-to-government cooperation under the Australia-Fiji Trade and Economic Relations Agreement would be suspended and most non-humanitarian aid activities would be terminated. "This represents a cut of around 30 percent to our bilateral aid program to Fiji," he said. All naval ship visits, senior officer visits and joint military exercises had been suspended and a number of Australian defence advisers also would be withdrawn. Australia would encourage regional bodies to transfer planned meetings to other countries, Downer said. He said Australia would continue to press for an early return to constitutional rule in Fiji within the framework of the country 's 1997 constitution. "Fiji now has a clear choice - return quickly to democracy or forego indefinitely its former place as a valued and respected member of the international community," Downer said. |
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