CMAG Declarations

Fourteenth Meeting Of The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
On The Harare Declaration (CMAG)

New York, 15 September 2000 Concluding Statement

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) held its fourteenth meeting at the Permanent Mission of Malaysia in New York on 15 September 2000. The meeting was chaired by the Hon Lt General Mompati Merafhe, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Botswana and was attended by the Hon Alexander Downer, MP, Foreign Minister of Australia, the Hon Billie Miller, MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados (Vice Chairperson), Tan Sri Dato Musa Hitam, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Malaysia to CMAG, the Rt Hon Robin Cook, MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, the Hon Raymond Chan, MP, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) of Canada. Bangladesh was represented by H E Mr Mahmood Ali, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and Nigeria by Ambassador S A Adekanye, Director, International Organisations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Hon Phil Goff, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand, also attended by invitation.

The Group reviewed developments relating to the countries within its remit - Fiji Islands, The Gambia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, and Solomon Islands and reached the following conclusions:

Fiji Islands

CMAG reviewed developments in Fiji Islands since it had last met on 6 June 2000. The Group received the report of its mission which visited Fiji in June, and also heard presentations from the deposed Prime Minister, Mr Mahendra Chaudhry, and the Prime Minister of the Interim Administration, Mr Laisenia Qarase.

CMAG welcomed the fact that Mr Chaudhry, other Government Ministers and hostages had been released and that action had been taken by the Interim Administration against some leaders of last May's coup. The Group noted that the Interim Administration has announced its intention to replace Fiji's 1997 Constitution within a year and that it intends to hold new elections within two years.

CMAG rejected this timetable as incompatible with the provisions of the Millbrook Action Programme on the Harare Declaration, and inadequate in terms of the need to promote national reconciliation and unity in Fiji as a matter of urgency. CMAG noted that the 1997 Constitution had been unanimously endorsed by the Great Council of Chiefs and by the two houses of the Fiji Parliament. CMAG also expressed its very real concern that the Interim Administration intends that the new Constitution incorporate further restrictions on the basis of racial origin. CMAG viewed with concern that the Interim Administration in Fiji is itself the product of the unconstitutional overthrow of an elected government, and its actions therefore lack both legitimacy and credibility.

CMAG concluded that pending the restoration of democracy, Fiji should remain suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth, in keeping with the provisions of the Millbrook Action Programme. The Group decided it should remain engaged with the situation in Fiji and expressed the wish to assist Fiji to return without delay to democratic governance. It agreed to continue a dialogue with the Interim Administration and to this end CMAG requested the Commonwealth Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy who would act as a facilitator to accelerate the restoration of democracy and to promote national unity in Fiji. The Group agreed to again examine the situation in that country at its next meeting with the benefit of reports from the Special Envoy.

The Gambia

CMAG reviewed the process of democratisation in The Gambia, and considered the question of despatching a mission to that country to assess the country's adherence to the Commonwealth Harare Principles, in line with the offer made by the President of The Gambia at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban. The Group noted that the President of The Gambia had now agreed to receive the mission which would take place at the earliest convenient time, and preferably before the local government elections.

The Group again expressed their desire that The Gambian Government should foster an inclusive political environment, and should in particular repeal the Schedule to Decree No 89 proscribing certain political parties and individuals. The Group also expressed concern at other restrictions imposed on political parties, the media and students.

Pakistan

CMAG reviewed developments in Pakistan since its last meeting. It received a report from the Secretary-General on his visit to Pakistan in August, and heard a presentation from the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mr Abdul Sattar, on the intentions of the regime regarding the restoration of democracy.

CMAG noted that General Musharraf's regime has taken various preparatory steps to hold local government elections. CMAG reiterated that the Millbrook Action Programme requires a maximum of two years for the restoration of democracy. The Ministers expressed concern over the lack of precision in the timetable for provincial and national elections. The Group also criticised the restrictions imposed on political parties, including their non-participation in the forthcoming local government elections, which are contrary to the Commonwealth's fundamental political values. CMAG pressed the regime to shorten its electoral timetable and to restore full democratic rule. Pending the restoration of democracy, Ministers agreed that Pakistan should remain suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth.

CMAG agreed that the Secretary-General should offer technical assistance as requested by the Pakistan Electoral Commission. The Group requested the Secretary-General to remain engaged in these activities and to continue to monitor the situation in Pakistan closely. The Ministers agreed to review the situation again at their next meeting, when political parties and representatives of civil society in Pakistan will be invited to address the Group.

The Group was of the view that if more definite progress regarding a timetable for the restoration of parliamentary democracy through free and fair elections had not been made by October 2001, it will be necessary for CMAG to recommend to Heads of Government stronger measures to be taken by the Commonwealth against the Pakistan military regime.

Sierra Leone

CMAG reviewed the situation in Sierra Leone, the implementation of the Lomé Accord and Commonwealth assistance in the process of reconstruction of that country. Ministers commended the Government of Sierra Leone for its commitments and efforts to secure peace and stability. CMAG appealed to the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and other armed groups to disarm and demobilise their combatants without further delay, and to fully co-operate in the implementation of the Lomé Accord. They expressed concern over recent incidents of lawlessness and hostage taking, and welcomed the latest successful action by the United Kingdom to free hostages.

The Group also welcomed the efforts of member and regional countries, regional and other international organisations, including the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to bring peace to the country and to rehabilitate Sierra Leone. The Ministers noted the extension of the UNAMSIL mandate and the intention to increase the size of the United Nations force, as well as the recent decision of the United Nations Security Council to establish a court to investigate human rights abuses and war crimes in Sierra Leone.

CMAG welcomed the intention of the Secretary-General to reinstitute a Commonwealth programme of technical assistance, including for capacity building and electoral management, in Sierra Leone. The Group called on all Commonwealth member countries to continue to assist in the post-conflict reconstruction of Sierra Leone, and to contribute in whatever manner possible to the decision of the United Nations Security Council to establish an independent special court to investigate human rights abuses and war crimes in Sierra Leone. CMAG agreed to keep the situation in the country under review.

Solomon Islands

The Ministers reviewed developments in Solomon Islands since the unlawful events which had brought about the forced resignation of Prime Minister Ulufaalu earlier this year. The Group received the report of the CMAG mission which visited Solomon Islands in June.

CMAG expressed its concern over the continuing absence of the rule of law in Solomon Islands, and urged the militant Malaitan Eagle Force (MEF) and the Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM), to maintain the ceasefire and bring about an early peace agreement.

CMAG commended the regional countries, particularly Australia and New Zealand, who were actively engaged in promoting peace negotiations, and requested them to keep CMAG informed of relevant developments. The Group also requested the Secretary-General to collaborate as required with these regional countries, to make available Commonwealth technical assistance and offer his good offices where appropriate to help resolve the conflict and promote democratic progress in that country.

CMAG expressed its gratitude to the Government of Malaysia for making available the facilities of its Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

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