Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Conflict between the Government and the Military Forces in Fiji

December 3, 2006

1. Japan is concerned about the current unstable situation in the Republic of the Fiji Islands, where the conflict between the Government and the national military forces has intensified over the military's demand to remove the Government through a "peaceful transition."
2. Japan is convinced that for the peace and stability of the island countries in the Pacific region, the establishment of democracy and "good governance" is of the utmost importance. The leaders of Japan and the PIF countries, who participated in the Fourth Japan-PIF (Pacific Islands Forum) Summit Meeting held in May 2006, confirmed in the Leaders' Declaration of the meeting that "assistance (to the Pacific Island countries) should be conducive to the prosperity and good governance of respective PIF Members."
3. Japan is strongly concerned that the democratically-elected Government of Fiji will be unconstitutionally replaced by the military, and earnestly hopes for a peaceful resolution of the situation.

Related Information (Japan-Fiji Relations)