By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – The new secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, has hailed Fiji’s interim government’s decision to resume working with the ministerial group examining Fiji’s electoral system as a positive step.  The interim government had stopped talks with the Forum in June following what it described as a lack of support from Australia and New Zealand.

While there is no firm plan for when, specifically, the talks will resume, Slade confirmed that meetings are being scheduled.  Slade went onto say, “It is in line with the conclusion of the Forum leaders and their desire as expressed in the Niue communique that this re-engagement should resume. We are now in the secretariat working closely with the authorities of the interim government to try to determine dates and the timing of these meetings.”

While the Forum is satisfied with this new move, it has publicly stated that it’s position regarding Fiji’s return to public elections has not changed in the wake of the recent Fiji High Court decision validating the 2006 coup.  The Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Premier of Niue, Toke Talagi, has also echoed deposed Fiji PM Lasenia Qarase’s position that the decision will encourage the coup culture in Fiji.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited – Slade welcomes initiative – 18 October 2008

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited – Forum stance unchanged – 18 October 2008

Radio New Zealand International – Forum head welcomes resumption of dialogue with Fiji interim regime – 17 October 2008

Radio New Zealand International – New Pacific Forum leader says court judgment in Fiji is not a reflection of expectations – 17 October 2008