Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the General Election in the Republic of the Fiji Islands

September 7, 2001

1. The Government of Japan welcomes the report by the United Nations Fijian Electoral Mission (UNFEOM) on the elections in the Republic of the Fiji Islands which took place from 25 August to 1 September that it had observed no problems significant enough to compromise the overall integrity of the voting process and the vote was conducted in a transparent manner. The counting of the ballots is being proceeded to be followed by the announcement of the final results of the elections. The Government of Japan considers it critically important that the process of the elections be conducted in a fare manner in accordance with the related laws and regulations and that the people in Fiji respect the outcome of the elections. The Government of Japan strongly hopes that the country will recover its reputation in the international society by restoring the democratic and constitutional government and address such important issues as national reconciliation and economic development problems.

2. The Government of Japan appreciates the fact that the people in Fiji have agreed to welcome and have been cooperating with the United Nations election observers and other observer missions to secure the transparency of the electoral process and to get confidence from the international society.

3. The Government of Japan has contributed actively to the elections in Fiji by providing financial and technical assistance including dispatching 10 United Nations election observers as well as providing the electoral equipment. The Government of Japan has been observing the election process with great interest. On 25 August, Mr. Toshio Kojima, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, visited Fiji and observed the election process.

Related Information (Japan-Fiji Relations)