MEDIA RELEASE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ALEXANDER DOWNER

30 September, 1997

AUSTRALIA WELCOMES FIJI'S RE-ADMISSION TO THE COMMONWEALTH

Australia warmly welcomes Fiji's re-admission to the Commonwealth. I am extremely pleased that Australia, as a close friend, has been able to play a part in supporting Fiji's re-admission.

I would like to join with other Commonwealth countries in offering my congratulations to Fiji. The courage and leadership of Fiji's leaders, particularly the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, and the Opposition leader, Jai Ram Reddy, has been an inspiration to all Fiji's citizens as they forge a new future based on cooperation and unity between the Fijian and Indo-Fijian communities.

Australia looks forward to seeing Fiji resume its rightful place at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Edinburgh and to working with Fiji on an even wider range of issues within the framework provided by Commonwealth membership.

NEW YORK

Further information: Innes Willox

Greg Hunt (New York) 212 339 4906

Tony Melville (Department) (02) 6261 1555