PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 21 M4AY 1987
Australians have watched with close interest and deep
concern the recent events in Fiji. The Australian
Government has monitored the evolving situation extremely
carefully, hour by hour, including through the reporting of
our High Commission in Suva. It is absolutely appropriate
that this should be so given the importance to Australian
interests of stability in this near neighbour and the fact
that we have been faced with the unprecedented spectacle in
the South Pacific of the forced overthrow by the military of
a democratically elected government.
Cabinet met again today to review the very fluid situation
in Fiji, to review the approach which the Government has
adopted and to consider a range of possible responses by
Australia. I express again our continuing strong concern at damage
being inflicted on the fabric of Fiji society and on its
political institutions.
Australia is accustomed to share with Fiji common values of
the rule of law and of Parliamentary democracy based on free
elections. Those values have been shared because of our
respective sovereign commitments to them and in recognition
of their contribution to the welfare, progress, and security
of the South Pacific region.
The Government accordingly believes that in emphasising
publicly those values and objectives it has also been
helping in a time of crisis to hold before the leadership of
Fiji the values of that nation as well as of Australia. The
Government continues to be convinced of the sole claim to
legitimacy of the Bavadra Government. It will maintain its
condemnation of the military coup. It reaffirms also its
strong view that if reliance is to be placed on fresh
elections they must be free and general and be held under
the existing Constitution.
Although the situation in Fiji is highly complex and
although there have been many twists and turns as the
situation has unfolded, no analysis can escape one basic
judgement. The essence of the crisis is the assault on
Fijian democracy. The solution to the crisis must be the
restoration of democratic principles and practice. We can
be flexible as to precise solutions, but consistency with
that basic principle is vital.
we believe also that given the delicately balanced communal
relationships in Fiji, the protection and preservation into
the future of democratic process is indispensable to all the
people of Fi-Ji. The-unique composition of Fiji society
provides added proof of the essentiality of genuine
democracy to all groups.
Fiji already has certain constitutionally entrenched rights
for the Fijiazns. The maintenance or modification of these
rights are the responsibility of all those in Fiji. They
will fail themselves if they fail to proceed by due
democratic processes and if they confuse the agreed
entrenchment of certain rights with any attempt by one
community to seek control of the other through some
contamination of the Constitution.
The Government confirms its support for the
Governor-General's courageous efforts to uphold the
Constitution and to accept appropriate advice to that end.
It praises the courage displayed by Dr Bavadra under
enormous strain and his conciliatory approach following his
release. It appeals to both major communities to recognise
as they have In the past that they each depend vitally on
Parliamentary democracy. It reaffirms that the armed forces
and police have only one role to serve and not subvert
their democratic Constitution.
we hope earnestly that the search for a solution and the
proper me'ans to finding it can proceed with the
participation of all parties and at a pace as well as
direction that will prevent any further disturbance of law
and order or further human suffering and damage to property.
In weighing our responses to developments in Fiji we need
also to take account of the views of our friends In the
South Pacific :* egion. The events in Fiji are as unwelcome
for them as they are for us, and unsettling for Fiji's
neighbours. In deciding on our own actions we have to bear
in mind the implications they have for these countries and
for our relations with them.
We shall keep in contact with these countries about
developments ir Fiji and our responses. I have myself been
in touch with N~' ew Zealand Prime Minister Lange on a number
of occasions and have spoken to Papua New Guinea Prime
Minister Wingti. our diplomatic missions in the region are
conveying our views to the Governments of other South
Pacific countries and are reporting their views to us.
I will have an excellent and very timely opportunity to talk
about events in Fiji with South Pacific leaders at the South
Pacific Forum meeting in Apia in just over a week.
A most important consideration is that in influencing the
course of events in Fiji the sense of direction conveyed by
the collective views of Fiji's neighbours will be of great
importance. Those deciding how to resolve the crisis in
Fiji will have to be conscious of the importance to Fiji of
its reputation in the South Pacific region and of its ties
with neighbouring countries.
For this reason, also, I attach considerable weight to
maintaining close consultation and co-operation with our
neighbours in the South Pacific.
Clearly the development of exact means of restoring
democratic processes in Fiji must be principally a matter
for the people of Fiji themselves. But Australia can, by
its own posture and actions, help facilitate the process and
impress the need for the effort in Fiji to proceed with
speed and determination. Because of our own national
interest and our longstanding friendship with Fiji and its
people we cannot ignore a responsibility to do so.
In the light of these considerations Cabinet discussed a
number of options. It noted that I have already suggested
to Commonwealth Secretary-General Ramphal that he issue a
statement in support of maintaining the democratic process
in Fiji under the existing constitution. I appreciate his
prompt response. actions already taken by the Government in
response to last week's coup have been
a freeze on the initiation of any new Australian aid
activities suspension of a range of activities in the defence
co-operation field, involving:-
no new defence co-operation activities
suspension of all routine RAN visits and 4RAAF
flights suspension of plans for future activities with, and
delivery of new equipment to, the Fiji armed forces
n~ o acceptance of further Fiji Armed Forces
personnel for training in Australia
on the day of the coup instructions were given to
Australian advisory personnel in Fiji to continue
to report for duty but to avoid action that would
be seen as outside their status as Australian
Defence Co-operation personnel.
In addition Cabinet has today decided on a number of
important new steps:
The bilateral officials talks with Fiji scheduled for
June have been cancelled.
We will intensify dialogue with other countries about
the situation in Fiji. One purpose will be to
encourage other Governments to make absolutely clear
their opposition to the Fiji coup and their demand for
the full restoration of democracy there
a special effort will be made to talk with other
Com~ monwealth countries.
In addition, it has been decided that Australia should
seek an exchange of views on the Fiji crisis with our
fellow members of the South Pacific Forum. Those
soundings have already begun as part of our continuing
dialogue however, the South Pacific Forum Meeting in Apia at
the end of the month will provide a valuable
opportunity for leaders of the regional countries
directly concerned to consider what scope there
might be for us together to signal our support for
the restoration of democracy in Fiji.
And, in the defence co-operation area, Australian
Defence Force Advisory personnel now serving in Fiji
have been instructed not to report for duty and
training of Fiji military personnel at present in
Australia has been suspended.
Cabinet examined a number of possible economic measures
including aid which could serve to bring home the depth of
Australia's concern to the authorities in Fiji. It
concluded that the measures reviewed should remain on the
table, but that this was not the time for quick recourse to
economic pressures. The immediate and spontaneous effects
on Fiji's economy of the attack on constitutional rule were
in any case severe and may well intensify unless normality
is rapidly restored. These heavy economic penalties on Fiji
will be difficult to retrieve and are likely, if left
unchecked, to damage permanently the existing base for the
economic welfare of all Fiji citizens. Cabinet took the
view that all responsible figures in Fiji should be acutely
aware of this prospect in considering the future course of
events in their country.
PROTECTION OF AUSTRALIANS
The Cabinet today also agreed details of contingency
planning to evac-uate Australian citizens from Fiji should
this be required.
As I have repeatedly made clear, my Government unequivocally
rejects any suggestion that it would intervene with military
force to influence the political processes now underway in
Fiji. Australian contingency planning only addresses the
possible need to protect the safety of Australian citizens
in Fiji should civil order there deteriorate.
The Government's absolute priority in this situation, as in
all circumstances, is to preserve the safety and welfare of
Australian citizens.
It is the Government's strongest hope that emergency
evacuation measures would not be required. The Government
is conscious of the measures being undertaken to reduce
tensions in the country and that at the present time the
situation is relatively calm. However, the Government is
also conscious that acts of violence have occurred and that
there is a potential risk to Australian citizens in Fiji.
Circumstances at the moment do not require the evacuation of
Australian citizens, and the Government has no information
to indicate that expatriates in Fiji, including Australians,
are in any immediate danger.
The Government nevertheless considers that prudent
responsibility to its citizens requires it to make provision
for the oossible evacuation of Australians from Fiji.
To achieve this, it is expected that the operations of
international airlines serving Fiji should be able to meet
the needs of those Australian citizens who might wish to
leave. The Government is keeping in close contact with
Qantas on arrangements for this.
However, the Government must also take account of the
possibility that civil operations may need to be
supplemented by other means, including assistance by
elements of the Australian Defence Force. on the advice of
the Chief of the Defence Force, the Government has examined
a range of planning options to meet a variety of possible
scenarios. These include the use of:
civil aircraft
a combination of civil and military aircraft
military aircraft only, and
naval ships.
6.
Cabinet noted that because of pre-programmed visits to the
South Pacific there were already five RAN ships in the
immediate vicinity of Fiji ( HMAS Sydney, Adelaide, Stalwart,
Wollongong and Cessnock). The Government has decided those
ships will remain in the area for the time being. In
addition, HIKAS Success, the Fleet Underway Replenishment
ship has sailed for the Fiji area today ( 21 May) to support
the continued operation of the RAN ships already in the
ar ea
Cabinet also noted that HMAS Tobruk left Sydney today en
route to Apia, Western Samoa, to provide accommodation -and
other support for the South Pacific Forum meeting on 29,
may. Advantage may be taken of this deployment to have
additional support available for the possible movement of
Australian citizens from Fiji.
Because of the large number of Australians in Fiji and the
potential complexity of any evacuation, should it be
required, some additional personnel may be embarked in HMAS
Tobruk for transfer to the other ships in the Fiji area
where they would remain unless required. The personnel,
consisting of an army company ( about 110 personnel) from the
operational Deployment Force based in Townsville, have been
placed on notice and may be flown to Norfolk island to join
HKAS Tobruk if required.
I wish to stress that the only purpose in embarking the
company would be to assist in any evacuation operation,
including assistance with the security of Australian
citizens and the provision of administrative and
communications support for that operation. This would be
the minimum number of personnel for such a task and would be
totally inadequate for any broader purpose.
I have released these details so that there will be no
misunderstanding of the purpose of the Australian Defence
Force units near Fiji. I emphasise that there is no current
intention to evacuate Australians from Fiji and that this
is simply prudent contingency planning. Should
circumstances arise where evacuation becomes necessary this
would be announced by the Government and arranged through
the Australian High Commission.
The Government will maintain its present close contacts with
other countries which have similiar interests in the
situation about possible cooperative efforts in the event
that evacuation becomes neccessary.