Fiji welcomes aid decision

Press, 30 December 1988, Page 8

Fiji welcomes aid decision

NZPA-AAP Suva Fiji’s interim Government yesterday “warmly welcomed” a United States decision to restore SNZ2.7 million in annual aid which was suspended after the first of two military takeovers last year. In a brief statement, the Acting Prime Minister, Josevata Kamikamica, said the post-coup administration placed “great value on its relations with the United States.” Mr Kamikamica, who is Finance Minister, was standing in for the inteirm Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, who has been in Sydney for medical tests.

In Washington the United States Department

announced the restoration, citing the return of executive authority to civilian hands, the suspension of the harsh internal security decree and Ratu Mara’s public commitment to restoring constitutional Government, as “positive steps.” “Our goal is to encourage steps made by Fiji in returning to representative and civilian rule,” a departmental statement, issued by the United States Embassy in Fiji, said. The aid was suspended after the first coup in May, 1987, under a United States law which compels the freezing of assistance when a democratically elected Government is overthrown.