By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – The Commonwealth Secretary General says that Fiji’s interim government should resume its discussion of the President’s political dialogue forum.

The forum would address Fiji’s position in the group since the Commonwealth has threatened to suspend Fiji unless the interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, makes progress toward holding democratic elections.

Bainimarama had planned to hold the forum to discuss Fiji’s position among South Pacific nations, but Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, says it is unclear when the forum will take place.

“At some point it was announced that this process was being not pursued anymore, and what CMAG is saying, is that it should be revived, but with a very clear target of elections in October next year,” Sharma said.

Meanwhile, Bainimarama says he will consider the Secretary General’s request to restart discussions on holding the President political dialogue.

“My government will consider the proposal of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to revive the President’s Political Dialogue Forum. And I will provide an answer to that suggestion – when [I] write to the Secretary General and the UN Secretary General,” Bainimarama said.

The interim PM added that if the Commonwealth chooses to suspend Fiji from the group, there is nothing the interim government can do.

The Commonwealth has given Bainimarama until September 1st to develop a plan for elections, otherwise, the country will be suspended from the group.

For more information, please see:
FBCL – PPDF will continue says PM – 10 August 2009

Radio New Zealand International – Commonwealth Secretary General says political dialogue in Fiji essential – 09 August 2009