Author:
Publication: The Times of India
Date: February 26, 2001
Indraprasth - Prime Minister Atal
Bihari Vajpayee on Monday assured ousted Fijian premier Mahendra Chaudhry
that the Indian government would give "full consideration" to some of the
proposals made by him. Chaudhry is seeking international support for the
restoration of democracy in his country.
Chaudhry, who had a 45-minute meeting
with Vajpayee, apprised him of the current economic situation and political
environment in Fiji, an external affairs ministry spokesman told reporters
here.
He briefed Vajpayee on the structural
problems faced by Fijians of Indian origin in the island nation. The Prime
Minister said the government was looking at what maximum assistance could
be provided in the information technology sector.
The deposed leader is awaiting the
judgement of the country's Supreme Court this week on restoration of an
elected government and the backing of the commonwealth ministerial action
group which meets in London on March 19.
Chaudhury, who was ousted by rebel
leader George Speight last year, told reporters that bringing Fiji back
to normal would be a difficult job.
"So much damage has been done to
the national economy and racial relations that whichever government comes
will have an uphill task," he said.
Chaudhury said the international
community in general and India in particular should "intervene immediately"
to help out the Indians settled in the island nation.
"The plight of Indian farmers is
serious as most of the land lease is to expire on December 31 and the Indians
are being driven out of their place of stay," he alleged. (PTI)
