Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama is still optimistic that New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Australian Foreign Minister Alexandra Downer will engage him in talks at the Leaders Retreat currently underway.
We join our News Director Vijay Narayan who spoke to Commodore Bainimarama before the leader retreat got underway.
Vijay Narayan reports: Fiji's Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama says he is still hoping that New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Australian Foreign Minister Alexandra Downer come in with an open mind when the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum retreat begins this hour on the island of Vavau.
While Bainimarama said he is proud to represent Fiji in the forum he hopes good sense will prevail.
Interim Pm Commodore Frank Bainimarama: " What I want to say is that the doors are still open, as I've said we have got nothing to hide, we've come a long way, that’s what we want to tell the leaders forum.
We stress that we have a long to go, we need the patience and understanding of the international community and the forum to help us forge ahead with our goals. So, I think it is a disappointment that she does not want to talk to me but I was hoping that in the spirit of the forum, dialogue is the way to go.
Vijay Narayan reports: Meanwhile, Commodore Bainimarama has welcomed the European Unions stand that it will leave Fiji to sort out its own problems as long as it has elections by 2009.
Interim Pm Commodore Frank Bainimarama: "That’s a good statement, that’s a good statement leaving it to Fiji to sort out our problems by 2009, hopefully they don't kick our feet from under us when we want to move"
Vijay Narayan reports: Bainimarama said his commitment to have the next elections in the first quarter of 2009 is firm and that is the message that will be given to the Leaders at the retreat today. From Vavau I'm Vijay Narayan for Village news.
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