By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – Fiji’s interim prime minister has announced he will not make good on his promise to hold democratic elections in 2009, even if the European Union withholds hundreds of millions in funds for Fiji’s ailing sugar industry.

Interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, says that his vision for Fiji will not be compromised, regardless of the consequences.

Bainimarama’s statements are in response to criticism of his decision to re- re-assign management of the sugar industry to the Prime Minister’s Office. Ousted prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, stated on Tuesday, that the re-re-assignment will not save the industry, but restoring democracy might.

In response, Bainimarama has accused Qarase’s government of sitting idly by for six years while the sugar industry faced expiring land leases.

If Bainimarama refuses to restore democracy at the polls before 2009, Fiji may lose out on $200 million in EU funds.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – Fiji regime rules out 2009 election, risking loss of massive EU assistance – 07 January 2009

Fiji Daily Post News – Qarase did nothing for sugar – 07 January 2009

Fiji Times – Millions lost – 08 January 2009