UN chief condemns Fiji coup, seeks democracy soon

United Nations, Dec 6 (UNI) U N Secretary-General Kofi Annan has deplored the coup in Fiji, calling for the immediate reinstatement of the Pacific island nation's legitimate authority.

In a statement released by his spokesman yesterday, Mr. Annan urged a ''return to constitutional rule through peaceful means and inclusive dialogue.'' The statement added that the UN chief is ''fully supportive of the efforts by the Pacific Islands Forum and other regional and international actors towards that end and remains in close consultation with them to work together to resolve this crisis.'' Last week, Mr. Annan warned that Fiji's international standing, especially as a contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, could be jeopardized by the current political crisis.

About 40 per cent of Fijians are of Indian origin. During the British colonial rule of the island nation, people from India migrated there, and many still maintain linguistic and cultural traits.

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