DATE=6/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PACIFIC COUPS WRAP OVERNIGHTER (L)
NUMBER=2-263253
BYLINE=ALISHA RYU
DATELINE=HONG KONG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Violent confrontations between rival forces
continued in Fiji and the Solomon Islands Wednesday
where rebels are attempting to seize power in both
countries. But as Alisha Ryu reports from VOA's Asia
News Center in Hong Kong, negotiators in the Solomon
Islands were able to secure the release of the
country's prime minister two days after he was taken
hostage.
TEXT: Malaita Eagle rebels released Solomon Island's
Prime Minister, Bartholomew Ulufa'alu, after it was
agreed parliament would convene next week to choose a
new leader.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard called the deal
a welcome breakthrough.
/// HOWARD ACT ///
We cannot in any way remove our condemnation of
the coup that has taken place. But we do
welcome the possibility that the country may be
returning to constitutional government and that
is what we want.
/// END ACT ///
But the diplomatic success was offset by escalated
fighting between rival ethnic groups. Malaita Eagle
forces shelled rival Isatabu Freedom Movement
positions near the capital, Honiara.
About 60 people have already been killed in fighting
in the past 18 months between militants on the
neighboring islands of Guadalcanal and Malaita.
Malaitan rebels say they are trying to resist
Guadalcanal islanders' efforts to oust them from the
capital.
In Fiji, coup rebels briefly exchanged gunfire with
government soldiers outside the compound where the
country's prime minister and some 30 others have been
held hostage since May 19th.
The senior army leader recently suspended negotiations
with rebel leader George Speight and said there would
be no place for his group in an interim government.
The Commonwealth - comprised of Britain and its former
colonies - suspended Fiji late Tuesday and has decided
to send a delegation to both Fiji and the Solomon
Islands later this week. But Mr. Speight has rejected
international moves to mediate in Fiji, saying the
crisis is internal.
/// SPEIGHT ACT ///
I am very happy to meet with them. However,
this is a local issue that only Fijians can
resolve amongst ourselves. I will not accept
them as a mediator because they can never
understand the reason by which we are upset as
Fijians.
/// END ACT ///
Ethnic divisions are at the heart of recurring crises
in Fiji. About 45 percent of the population is ethnic
Indian and many Fijians resent Indian domination of
the economy and their influence in government.
(Signed)
NEB/HK/AR/JO/KL
07-Jun-2000 08:37 AM EDT (07-Jun-2000 1237 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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