US reacts to Fiji emergency rule
Friday September 07, 2007

The Public Emergency Regulations invoked yesterday by Fiji's interim Government is bringing swift reactions from other countries.

The emergency regulation prohibits certain freedoms and was put in place to shut up ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his political affiliates.

The United States today said that by reactivating the Public Emergency Regulation in Fiji, Commodore Bainimarama calls into serious question his stated commitment to restore human rights, civil liberties, and democratic rule in Fiji.

"We have consistently called on the interim government to take meaningful steps to respect human rights and civil liberties, withdraw the military completely from Government, and hold new elections as quickly as possible," a statement released by the United States Department of State, Washington, D.C. said.

The US says it also calls into question the interim government's willingness to work with the Pacific Islands Forum and the rest of the international community in organizing new elections.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters earlier today said the move by Fiji's interim administration to bring back the Public Emergency Regulations "is outrageous".

TVNZ quotes Peters as saying the move "is a clear signal that the regime is unwilling to heed the calls that have been made by the Pacific Islands Forum to get Fiji back on track to constitutional government".

Interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama said his regime has invoked the emergency regulations yesterday in response to "some inciting public statements" made by deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase on his return to Suva for the first time since being overthrown last December.

Qarase and executives of his Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua have since refrained from talking to the media.