Fiji - Trial of Speight and Accomplices Will Proceed

In holding the Prime Minister and most of his cabinet hostage in Fiji's Parliament for nearly two months, Speight and his accomplices drove from power Fiji's first democratically elected government in twelve years. He did so in full view of reporters and cameramen from around the world, and made it clear he had launched this terrorist action to end constitutional democracy and deny human rights to Fiji's citizens.

The Secretary of State has recently reviewed the conduct of Speight and those involved in the hostage taking. They should understand that they can no longer travel freely to the United States. Those who are not already ineligible for a U.S. visa under our terrorist exclusion because of their role in the hostage taking should expect their visa applications to be carefully reviewed with a presumption of denial under the Secretary’s foreign policy authority. The United States is strongly committed to democracy, human rights and the rule of law and is firmly opposed to hostage taking. We will reflect these policies in our visa decisions.