A Message from Foreign Minister Yohei Kono to the Fijian President Mara

May 26, 2000

In the early morning of May 26 (Fijian local time), Foreign Minister Yohei Kono delivered the following message in brief to the Fijian President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara on the hostage situation in Fiji.

I was extremely shocked at the news of the takeover of the Fijian Parliament by a group of armed men, and looting and rioting in the city of Suva, and I have been concerned about the situation. Japan considers as regrettable any attempt to overthrow by force a democratically elected government.
The international community including Japan supports the efforts led by Your Excellency to return the situation to normalcy. I hope that the situation will be resolved swiftly under your leadership.

(END)

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