3 Aug 2009

American Samoa's Congressman outlines what he thinks US can offer Fiji

10:57 am on 3 August 2009

American Samoa's Congressman says Fiji's interim Prime Minister has been conveyed his views on a path for the United States to help Fiji resolve its longstanding political problems.

Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin presented a letter with the views to Commodore Frank Bainimarama during a visit to Fiji last week.

The congressman says he thinks the US can help in the way of expertise and resources to assist Fiji in achieving equal suffrage and other political, economic and social reforms.

He says such assistance would help strengthen bilateral ties, improve regional conditions and speed the sort of reform the interim Prime Minister seeks.

The congressman says Fiji, the United States and the Asia Pacific as a whole have an enormous stake in ensuring Fiji's swift return to stability, democracy and economic growth.

The congressman, who chairs the US House Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, has outlined his views on Fiji in a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.