2004 Media Releases

Condolence message for the death of the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara

The people of the United States join the people of Fiji in mourning the death of Fiji's first Prime Minister, former President and Tui Nayau, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Ratu Mara was a close friend of the United States. During his term as Prime Minister and President our countries enjoyed close and cordial relations as they do today.

The late Ratu Mara was a personal friend of President George H.W. Bush and worked closely with every U.S. Administration since President Lyndon Johnson. The late Ratu Mara was also instrumental in establishing closer links between Pacific Island countries and the United States, such as by establishing the Pacific Islands Development Program and the Joint Commercial Commission based in Hawaii. Ratu Mara served as the President of the Pacific Islands Development Program for several years.

Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara played an important role in achieving independence for Fiji. He always worked for racial harmony and, as he said at the Fiji Constitutional Conference in 1970, "a Fiji where people of different races, opinions and cultures can live and work together for the good of all." His contributions to Fiji and Pacific Island Countries have been outstanding, as were his efforts for the Commonwealth of Nations and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of nations. He was one of the seven founders of what is now the Pacific Islands Forum

As the people of Fiji and the late Ratu Mara's family mourn the death of one of the greatest sons of Fiji we, the representatives of the people of the United States, offer our deepest sympathy to the people of Fiji and the Mara family.