In reaction to the announcement of Australian sanctions against Fiji the President of the Methodist Church in Fiji tonight expressed his fears for the disaster it would create for his people.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer today said the Australian Government was relieved by the long-overdue release of all remaining hostages in Fiji but condemned the apparent consolidation of unconstitutional and undemocratic rule.

Australia, while not implementing full economic sanctions, will recall its High Commissioner to Fiji and terminate most non-humanitarian aid programs. All joint military exercises will be suspended and Fiji national sporting teams will be banned.

The Rev. Tomasi Kanailagi, speaking from Adelaide where he is attending the ninth national assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia, said sanctions would:

create further ethnic tension, have a devastating impact on the ethnic Indian population, and probably lead to further bloodshed.

He said ethnic Fijians would blame the Indians for the imposition of the sanctions.

"It will be terrible for our people," Mr Kanailagi said.

Mr Kanailagi had earlier said sanctions would adversely affect the common people already suffering from trouble caused by the "big persons" in Fiji.

He said the coup in Fiji had been "political and commercial" and that indigenous issues and land issues had been used by those behind the coup to fuel and camouflage this.

Mr Kanailagi this morning heard that the Great Council of Chiefs had chosen prominent Methodists as President and Vice President of Fiji.

The new President of Fiji, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, was formerly Vice President of the Methodist Church. The nation’s new Vice President is the brother of the current Vice President of the church.

"With these people in these key positions we can work together for the good of the country," said Mr Kanailagi.

Mr Kanailagi said that, despite its close connections with Fiji’s new leadership, the Methodist Church has opposed George Speight and had supported the actions of the military in imposing martial law.

Assembly 2000, SA (July 18, 2000)