*EPF505 03/02/01
Text: U.S. Welcomes Fiji Appeals Court Ruling, Seeks End to Crisis
(Fiji Appeals Court upholds validity of 1997 constitution) (300)

The United States welcomes the Fiji Appeals Court decision upholding the validity of that country's 1997 constitution, the State Department said March 1.

A Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), endorsed by Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs in September 2000, began to draft a new constitution, but suspended its work following a ruling by the Fiji High Court that the CRC had no legal standing. In November 2000, the Fiji High Court ruled that the 1997 constitution remained in force, a decision appealed by the interim administration in Fiji, but ultimately upheld by the Fiji Appeals Court.

Following is the text of the March 1 State Department release on the Fiji Appeals Court decision:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

March 1, 2001

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

Fiji - Appeals Court Decision

We have repeatedly stated that upholding basic principles of democracy and international standards of human rights, as embodied in Fiji's 1997 constitution, would be a benchmark for determining our reaction to the crisis in Fiji. This constitution was drafted to recognize the right of all citizens of Fiji to equal and democratic representation in Fiji's government.

We therefore welcome the Appeals Court decision upholding the validity of Fiji's 1997 constitution, and call on the interim administration to implement the Court's findings without delay. The United States encourages a rapid and positive response from all parties that will lead to the end of the current crisis in Fiji, and to welcoming Fiji back into the community of democratic nations.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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