We have not been able to make as much progress as we should have because of pressure mounted on regional and multilateral agencies, not to extend to Fiji the much needed financial, development and technical assistance.

Those were the words of interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama on one of the issues highlighted in his speech at the 63rd UN General Assembly in New York this morning.

Touching on the Road Map for a way forward for Fiji, Bainimarama also told the UN member countries that his government had made sure they have kept to the current Constitution however adding that while the interim government believes the General Elections must be held as soon as possible, this will only be done after they have achieved broad consensus in Fiji for a non-racial and truly democratic electoral system and agreed on a Constitutional and legal way to introduce the changes.

On elections, Bainimarama also said Fiji will not be able to hold elections in early 2009 because there is work still in progress towards agreeing on a democratic electoral system, one acceptable to the Fiji people and which is agreed to by all political stakeholders, through political dialogue.

Bainimarama said there is also hope that the delay of the President's Political Forum whose main initial focus would have been on electoral reform would be convened as soon as possible, adding that Fiji will need the help of the United Nations and the Commonwealth.