The Pacific Islands Leaders Forum has today reaffirmed the importance of the interim government honoring the undertakings it made to the Forum in Tonga to return Fiji to democracy by holding an election by March 2009 and to accept the outcomes of that election.
In its statement which was presented in a press conference in Niue by Forum chair Toke Talagi, he said the Forum acknowledged the importance of maintaining and encouraging continued pressure from the Forum and other members of the international community for Fiji to meet the March 2009 deadline.
The Forum also reaffirmed the readiness of the Forum members to continue to assist Fiji to prepare for the 2009 election.
The Pacific leaders said that there are long-term issues that need to be addressed in Fiji, including through independent and inclusive political dialogue and in this context, leaders recognized that a political dialogue process could assist in developing undertakings among key stakeholders that would create a more conducive environment for an election to be held under Fiji's existing constitution by March 2009.
It said dialogue should continue with a newly elected government and key stakeholders in order to advance relevant reforms and promote national reconciliation.
While the leaders express the Forum's support for political dialogue, it said it should not be used to delay the elections.
It also said genuine dialogue should be conducted without preconditions, threats, ultimatums or predetermined outcomes.
It has also decided that the Forum Ministerial Contact Group continues monitoring Fiji's situation and directed it to report back to the leaders before the end of this year on the situation regarding the election preparations in Fiji and other key issues.
The group has also been tasked with coming up with recommendations on measures that the Forum should take to promote compliance by the interim government with its election commitment of March next year.
The Pacific leaders agreed that following the receipt of the Contact Group's second report, the leaders would consider a further special meeting by the end of this year to consider special measures, in relation to Fiji, consistent with the Biketawa Declaration.
The measure includes the consideration of Fiji's suspension from the Forum.
PNG is expected to host the special leader’s Forum at the end of this year.
Meanwhile, NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark said considering suspension of a country was an unprecedented move for the Pacific Forum but it has to be taken to ensure that Fiji complies with its commitment.
Forum chair Toke Talagi said it was important for the Forum to maintain its integrity as a regional organization.
Earlier today the Tongan Prime Minister said the island countries will not ask Australia and NZ to take a more lighter and consultative approach in relation to Fiji's situation.
While criticisms have been leveled against Australia and NZ for taking a hostile approach against Fiji and practicing a “Big Brother Approach” in the Forum, Doctor Feleti Sevele said every Forum member has the right to stand by what they believe in.
“Our stance on issues like this is that you let countries be sovereign countries and they take their stand. There are issues of course that we will have to decide on at the retreat and take a common stance on it.”
Doctor Sevele has also agreed with Commodore Frank Bainimarama's statement that Fiji's relationship with the Pacific Forum is now at an impasse, if not a crossroad.
“Well that is his statement. The relationship, yes, it is at a crossroad. But that’s something that we will deal with. Certainly it puts the Forum under stress. It’s something the Forum will have to look at.”
Commodore Bainimarama said earlier this week that if at the end of the meeting in Niue, the Forum continues to insist on elections to be held in March 2009, then he will be compelled to tell the people of Fiji that they must now be prepared to suffer more sanctions, and international isolation.
He said he knows that most of the Forum members do not agree with Australia and New Zealand's approach and the best thing the Forum can do is support the work of the People's Charter and a democratic electoral system in Fiji.
“Most, if not all, Pacific Island leaders are against Fiji being further victimized by Australia and New Zealand, even if they may not say so openly in Niue. The unity that is not practically achievable at the Forum meeting in Niue has to be one based on support for how we are now moving Fiji forward, not only towards an election but a better and durable constitutional democracy. This means the Forum’s support for the People’s Charter process and an election to be held after the reform of the current electoral rules. Should that support be not forthcoming and the sanctions by Australia and New Zealand remain in effect, such actions will not affect our determination to act in our national interest as a sovereign state to build a better Fiji for the people of this country.”
