I spoke to the democratically elected Prime Minister of Fiji, Mr Mahendra Chaudhry today.
I told him that the Australian Government and people were relieved that he and his fellow hostages had been released.
He informed me that he was in good health although he had lost some weight.
In our conversation I told Mr Chaudhry that the Australian Government remained appalled that he had been removed from office by a criminal act.
I also told him that it was the Government's disposition to implement a range of measures against Fiji in the light of the unconstitutional events in that country. I sought his views on this and other issues.
Mr Chaudhry responded that he was consulting his colleagues and would communicate their views in detail to me within the next few days.
The Australian Government, naturally, will take its own decisions on Fiji. However input from Mr Chaudhry and his colleagues would be both appropriate and useful.
I have discussed the matter with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and we agreed that the Fijian issue would be considered by Cabinet when it meets next Tuesday.
Cabinet will then have before it whatever views Mr Chaudhry has to offer.
14 July 2000