A senior official from the United States government who met with senior members of the interim government yesterday said they still do not see a clear path to the elections in Fiji next year.
The US Deputy Assistant Secretary East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Glyn Davies said he met with the Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, Interim Finance Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry and Interim Foreign Affairs Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and he could not get a concrete time-table for the next elections.
Davis also said it is still unclear to him on how the People's Charter process fits in with the next elections.
Although he said that the US government will not dictate to Fiji that the country should have elections first before any Charter, Davis said he can only stress that Fiji needs to return to democratic elections as soon as possible.
He also admits that certain sections of the Charter objective are not bad but he said the return to democracy is the key.
Davis also said the US government cannot come forward and assist Fiji if a clear timetable is not set by the interim administration.
Davis also raised concern over the deportation of Fiji Sun Publisher and Managing Director, Russel Hunter without a clear reason given.
He said the message he is getting is that the freedom on the media is under threat in Fiji and he reminds the interim government that it cannot export dissent.
The US Deputy Assistant Secretary East Asian and Pacific Affairs also met with the Ousted Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase and the Ousted Opposition Leader, Mick Beddoes earlier today to get their views on the developments in Fiji.
He stresses that there are no clear signs that a timetable is set to return Fiji to democracy and how the Charter fits with the next polls.
Where is Media freedom?
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