US suspends aid to Fiji in response to coup

WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) The United States has suspended aid to Fiji in response to a bloodless military coup that deposed the South Pacific island nation's elected prime minister, the US State Department said yesterday.

''This decision covers approximately 2.5 million dollars in primarily military-related assistance,'' State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement announcing the suspension.

The decision also prevents any new US economic assistance programs for Fiji, the statement said.

The United States reiterates its condemnation of the Fiji military's overthrow and calls for restoration of the elected government, McCormack said.

The United States temporarily suspended aid to Fiji on December 5 after Fiji's military took over in the country's fourth coup in 20 years.

Under law, the US government must cut off aid to countries where there has been a coup or a coup attempt, although the requirement can be waived if necessary.

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