The US Department of State said the interim government's decision to withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum Joint Working Group on Fiji is one that increases concern that Commodore Bainimarama and the interim government may not abide by the pledge made last year in Tonga to hold free and fair democratic elections under the Fiji Constitution by March 2009.

In a statement released, the United States is disappointed to hear about the interim government's withdrawal from the Joint Working Group.

The United States is urging the interim government to reverse its decision and make every effort to honour its commitment to hold elections in March 2009.