The interim government had reassured the Pacific Forum Foreign Ministers that the People's Charter process will not undermine current commitments to hold elections in March 2009.
While speaking to the Foreign Ministers in Auckland yesterday, Interim Foreign Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said the People's Charter is to rebuild Fiji into a non racial, culturally vibrant and united, well-governed nation that seeks progress and prosperity, through merit based equality of opportunity, and peace.
Ratu Epeli said when President Ratu Josefa Iloilo launched the National Council for Building a Better Fiji in October last year he set a realistic but challenging timetable. Ratu Epeli said the President had directed that the People's Charter must be handed to him by 10th October, 2008.
The Interim Foreign Minister said this deadline is well before the first quarter of 2009 which is the timeline for the holding of elections in Fiji.
He said the interim government is committed to holding democratic elections in March 2009 in line with the commitments Fiji had given to the international community, the EU and the Pacific Islands Forum. However, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau told the Forum Foreign Ministers in Auckland today that their goal can only be reached with constructive dialogue and engagement from all interested parties in Fiji, the international community, bilateral and multilateral development partners and the Forum.
Ratu Epeli then gave an update on what the interim government had achieved so far. These include the completion of the national census last year, the appointment of the members of the Electoral Commission, appointment of a Deputy Supervisor of Elections and adequate number of staff at the elections office, appointment of the Boundaries Commission, allocation of funds in the 2008 budget for preparatory work on the 2009 elections.
Ratu Epeli said they are in the final stages of appointing the new Supervisor of Elections. However, due to the travel sanctions they were forced to go abroad for the national appointment. He said this was a thoroughly demeaning and colonial foray especially when Fiji had well qualified people to take up the post.
Charter Process won’t Undermine Commitments
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