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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LONDON 002040 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/AND AND FOR EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV FJ UK
SUBJECT: COMMONWEALTH SUSPENDS FIJI 
 
REF: A. LONDON 580 
     ¶B. LONDON 1385 
 
¶1. (SBU) Commonwealth Secretariat Political Director Amitav 
Banerji confirmed September 1 to Poloff that Commonwealth 
Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma announced the Republic of 
Fiji Islands' full suspension from membership of the 
Commonwealth, effective 00:01 September 1, 2009 (Fiji time). 
Banerji said the Commonwealth hopes to maintain a dialogue 
with Fiji and plans to send a delegation in September to 
engage with the Interim Government. 
 
¶2. (U) The Commonwealth released the following statement: 
 
Fiji Suspended from the Commonwealth 
1 September 2009 
 
The Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, today 
announced that the Republic of the Fiji Islands stands fully 
suspended from membership of the Commonwealth with immediate 
effect. 
 
"This is an announcement I make with deep regret -- it is a 
step the Commonwealth is now obliged to take, and one that it 
takes in sorrow." 
 
"Since Fiji was suspended from the Councils of the 
Commonwealth following the military overthrow of civilian 
government in December 2006, sustained efforts have been made 
by the Commonwealth to engage the Interim Government, so as 
to promote a return to constitutional democracy, and to 
encourage a national dialogue aimed at tackling the 
underlying issues that led to this and past coups." 
 
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) last met on 
31 July, some two and three quarter years after the military 
overthrow.  At that meeting, CMAG urged the Fiji regime to 
reactivate immediately the President's Political Dialogue 
Forum (PPDF) process, facilitated by the Commonwealth and the 
United Nations, in a manner that was independent, inclusive, 
time-bound and without any pre-determined outcome, and that 
would lead to credible elections in the country by October 
¶2010.  CMAG had sought a firm commitment from Fiji to these 
terms by no later than 1 September 2009, failing which it 
would be fully suspended. 
 
"Although I received a letter from Commodore Bainimarama on 
21 August reaffirming his commitment to the principles of the 
Commonwealth, his response did not meet the terms set out by 
CMAG on 31 July.  I informed him of this in writing on 24 
August.  Accordingly, Fiji has today been fully suspended 
from the Commonwealth.  I have informed the Interim Prime 
Minister of Fiji of this decision. I have similarly informed 
Her Majesty the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth, and all 
Commonwealth governments." 
 
Elaborating on the implications of "full suspension," the 
Secretary General said the following provisions would apply 
with immediate effect: representatives of the Interim 
Government of Fiji will be excluded from participation at all 
inter-governmental Commonwealth meetings; likewise, nominees 
of the Interim Government will not be able to take part in 
other inter-governmental Commonwealth activities; Fiji will 
not be able to participate in Commonwealth sporting events; 
no Commonwealth technical assistance can be provided to Fiji, 
with the exception of assistance aimed at facilitating the 
restoration of democracy; while Fiji will remain a member of 
the Commonwealth, all emblematic representation of Fiji at 
the Commonwealth Secretariat, at Commonwealth meetings and 
all other official Commonwealth events will cease; and 
contact at professional and non-governmental levels with Fiji 
counterparts will be left to the discretion of individual 
pan-Commonwealth organizations. 
 
The Secretary General emphasized that the Commonwealth 
remained open to engaging with the Fiji Interim Government 
towards the restoration of constitutional democracy in the 
country.  "I welcome the invitation from Commodore 
Bainimarama to meet my Special Representative in Fiji in 
September, and look forward to continuing my good offices 
engagement to promote adherence to Commonwealth principles 
 
LONDON 00002040  002 OF 002 
 
 
and the welfare of the people of Fiji," Mr. Sharma said. 
 
The Secretary General concluded by expressing the hope that 
Fiji would take the necessary steps to restore its full 
participation in the Commonwealth.  "We will continue all 
possible efforts to promote the restoration of Commonwealth 
principles and enduring adherence to them.  We will also 
continue to bear fully in mind the welfare of the people of 
Fiji." 
 
End Statement. 
 
 
Visit London's Classified Website: 
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom 
 
SUSMAN