SUVA, Fiji (20 Dec 2006) -- The United States of has ceased all assistance with the Fiji Government in retaliation to the Fiji military's coup two weeks ago. In doing so, the US has also put a travel ban on Fiji military officials and members of the interim government. The US Department of State spokesman Sean McCormack said America strongly condemned the Fiji military's overthrow of the lawfully elected Laisenia Qarase-led government. "We continue our call on Commodore (Voreqe) Bainimarama to abandon his extra-judicial activities, withdraw completely from politics, and restore Fiji's legitimate democratically elected government," McCormick said in a press statement. "The United States has reviewed its assistance programs and determined it appropriate to cease all applicable US assistance directed to the Government of Fiji." McCormack said this decision covers approximately $2.5million in primarily military-related assistance, such as the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET) programs. He said the sanction further precludes new economic assistance programs to the Fiji government under the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, including the Millennium Challenge Account. "The United States also will suspend all deliveries and sales of lethal military equipment to Fiji, official visits to the United States and US-sponsored events in third countries by senior Fiji military officials and members of the illegitimate interim government, and the Fiji military's participation in and planning for joint military exercises and US-sponsored conferences and courses. "Visa sanctions will be imposed on coup and interim government leaders," McCormack said. "These measures will remain in place until the President or Secretary of State determines that a democratically elected government has taken office." McCormack said other US actions taken in response to the coup are subject to further review as circumstances in Fiji merit. SOURCE - FijiLive | 
