Fiji Sun

US Admiral Backs Our Democracy, Election

Admiral Phil Davidson labels meeting ‘productive’ during courtesy call.

- WATI TALEBULA Edited by Epineri Vula Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj

Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACO­M), Admiral Phil Davidson, has expressed America’s support for our democracy and its upcoming elections. Admiral Davidson paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a yesterday and had what he called a productive meeting.

“We discussed Fiji’s role as a contributo­r to global peacekeepi­ng efforts,” said the commander of America’s largest military combatant command, based in Hawai’i. “This year marks the 40th anniversar­y of Fiji’s participat­ion in peacekeepi­ng operations around the world and I commend Fiji for its contributi­ons to global peace and security through these deployment­s.

“We discussed Fiji’s role as a financial, transporta­tion, environmen­tal, education and maritimese­curity hub of the South Pacific and the important contributi­ons it makes to ensure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific region.”

He said Mr Bainimaram­a shared his commitment­s to helping ensure that Fijian’s future deployment­s live to its proud tradition and standards.

“I look forward to working together to continuing to expand our bilateral co-operation,” Admiral Davidson said.

“To identify opportunit­ies to work together to promote our shared values and the rules-based internatio­nal order in Oceania and beyond.”

 ?? Photo: DEPTFO News ?? From left: Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACO­M) Admiral Phil Davidson, with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarma in Suva on August 16, 2018.
Photo: DEPTFO News From left: Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACO­M) Admiral Phil Davidson, with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarma in Suva on August 16, 2018.

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