SUVA, Fiji (16 June 2000) -- Commonwealth ministers visiting Fiji to try to resolve the hostage crisis and press for a return to democracy will not meet with rebel leader George Speight. New Zealand foreign affairs minister Phil Goff said a meeting with Speight would only legitimize a terrorists attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government. Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer warned of dire consequences if Fiji does not return to democracy. "If democracy is lost in Fiji, then Fiji has a fairly dark future," Downer said. Speight has referred to Australian and New Zealand government officials as thugs and bullies and said the commonwealth has no part to play in Fiji's internal affairs. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK | 
