The Fiji Government is happy that the Fiji Police Force and the United States Federal Agencies are collaborating on transnational organized crime, trafficking in persons and other matters of mutual interest says Foreign Affairs Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
This is despite the US/Fiji Defence Assistance programmes remaining frozen.
Ratu Inoke made the comments at the United States of America Independence Day celebrations luncheon.
“ On behalf of the Government and people of the Fiji Islands, it gives me great pleasure to extend felicitations, congratulations and best wishes to the Government and people of the United States of America on the special occasion of its Independence Day on July 4.
“We wish the United States A Happy Birthday. And we wish the United States and the American people continued progress and prosperity.
“ HAPPY Independence Day and God Bless AMERICA!,” he said.
Ratu Inoke said the US Treaty on Fisheries is currently being re-negotiated.
“ We are hoping that the United States will understand and will support our position, and those of all Pacific Island Countries on the issue of Climate Change.
“ We also urge the United States to re-engage with the South Pacific Island Countries in a developmental way by expanding its levels of Overseas Development Assistance; directing increased levels of foreign private investment and facilitating the increased exports from us. In fact we would wish to see a U.S./South Pacific Countries Pact on Trade, Investment, Tourism, National Development and Technical Cooperation.
“ I would like to thank Ambassador McGann for his kind invitation to this special and significant event that commemorates the 234th Anniversary of American Independence,” he said.
Ratu Inoke was honoured and delighted to be asked to speak at a function of a friend, the United States, with whom Fiji has been an ally in World War II and with whom we have had a long history of friendly, fruitful and cordial relations.
“We are by your side in times of war and in times of peace.
“ Fiji's relations with the United States predates Cession, a historic milestone in the history of our country. Our interactions started with trade but grew and expanded. At one time I am told, Fiji was even offered to our American friends as a colony.
“During World War II when the South Pacific was an active theatre of war, Fijian soldiers fought alongside our American counterparts and the blood of their soldiers and ours mingled at the battle of Guadalcanal .
“In post 1945 and during the Cold War, Fiji always acted as an ally of the United States in ensuring that its security and defence were not under threat from or compromised by extra-territorial elements. And, concomitantly, our national security made sure that no terrorist plots were or are hatched in Fiji against our friend and ally, the United States. Trade, investment, tourism laid the foundation for strong links with the United States as well as co-operation on international issues and at international organizations.
“The event of December 2006 generated a hiccup in our relations with the United States. We however believe that our relations will be on the mend with the Government's unswerving commitment to the holding of General Elections in the country in 2014 and thereby return the country to Parliamentary Government and Parliamentary democracy. The National Roadmap announced publicly by the Government on several occasions will lay the foundation for the General Election,” he said.