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Frank Bainimarama - Source: ONE News -
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New Zealand and Australia are being accused of bullying Fiji at the Pacific Islands Forum.
Leaders of 15 Pacific island nations have been holding a special
meeting in Port Morseby.
They have told Fiji's self-appointed Prime Minister, Commodore
Frank Bainimarama, that he must set an election date by May 1, or
face partial suspension from the forum.
Bainimarama did not attend the meeting. But he has been reported in
Fiji as saying that elections will not be held until a new charter
is implemented to change Fiji's racially-based electoral system,
and that could take years.
In an interview with Radio Tarana, Bainimarama describes the forum's decision as an ultimatum. He says he has never come across a situation where a country has given an ultimatum to another country, unless there is a declaration of war.
Meanwhile, the US State Department is giving its backing to the ultimatum, saying it endorses the position of the Pacific Forum.
The forum of 16 nations has never suspended a member but in Papua New Guinea on Tuesday it said Fiji, ruled by Bainimarama since he seized power in a coup in 2006, must name an election date by the start of May and hold that election before the end of the year.
If it refuses to meet the timetable Fiji will be banned from ministerial and leader level participation in the forum and be cut off from regional co-operation initiatives and new financial and technical assistance.
The first event Fiji could miss out on was the next forum meeting in Cairns in August. The block on initiatives and funding would have financial impact which could spark tit-for-tat action as Fiji is a major regional hub and is home to forum headquarters.
Fiji reacted defiantly to the decision saying its government is legitimate and the forum has no authority to act.
Representative in Port Moresby for the meeting Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum lashed out at New Zealand and Australia accusing them of treating his government unfairly and personalising issues.
Prime Minister John Key previously said Tuesday's forum meeting was a test for the regional body and if it did not act others, like the Commonwealth or United Nations, would take the leadership role.
"I think the forum sent a strong message to Fiji today that it expects to see that country put on a pathway to democratic elections and expects to see that completed by the end of 2009," Key told reporters after the meeting.
"Yes I do think its hard enough, it's a clear direct message and it's one Fiji can comply with if they have the political will to do so."
Key says there will be no further discussion if Fiji does not comply as the forum has made its decision.
Labour's foreign affairs spokeswoman Helen Clark says if Fiji doesn't play ball the Pacific Leaders' Forum will have to follow through with suspension.
Clark says there is no practical barrier to an election before the end of this year, the barrier is simply Bainimarama not wanting to move in that direction.
She says if he doesn't, the forum will need to take action.
Clark says Fiji would miss out on the forum's regional programmes
and initiatives.
Forum chairman Toke Talagi says Bainimarama always said he wanted the country to return to democracy and should see the timetable as an opportunity. He previously promised elections by April this year but since said that was not possible, Talagi says.
Key says the forum acted fairly and could have taken a harder line.
"In the end the ball is in Frank Bainimarama's court and it's for him to decide whether he wants to restore democracy or not... at some point enough's enough and I think from my point of view we've reached that point. I think if he's not going to comply by 2009 then frankly he's probably never going to comply."
Talagi emphasised the forum made a consensus decision.
Earlier Kiribati and Tuvalu had reportedly threatened to pull out of the forum in Fiji was punished for fear on how retaliatory action by Fiji may hurt them.
However after other forum nations pledged to assist they agreed to the new measures.
"You can't blame some of those smaller states feeling more vulnerable when their economies are interrelated and interconnected," Key says.
Talagi says he is pleased that the forum has pulled together to act.
PNG Prime Minister Michael Somare, among the leaders more sympathetic to Fiji, also told media he backed the consensus decision.
Khaiyum says he spoke to Bainimarama after the meeting. Fiji is determined to complete electoral reform before holding elections, he says.
He told reporters democracy is about more than elections and Fiji does not have universal suffrage. The country wants "long-term and sustainable" democracy which "seems lost on some people".
He says the new Presidential Political Dialogue Forum will look at reform issues and once an electoral system is decided on elections will take a further 12 to 15 months.
Khaiyum disputed the forum's right to take steps against Fiji which only allow action if there is a crisis. Since Fiji's president ruled the interim administration is valid, backed up by a high court ruling, there is no crisis, he says.
He accused Australia and New Zealand of hurting innocent citizens through sanctions, especially a ban on travel for officials and government figures.
They have wielded their power, he says, and made the dispute personal.
During an exchange at the meeting he said Key offended him by suggesting he should be tried before a court.
Khaiyum says while answering questions he remarked that he did not know he was on trial and Key said "you should be".
"Here is the Prime minister of New Zealand making these sorts of
comments at a forum leaders meeting. It's actually quite
unbelievable when you think about it."
Add a Comment:
Post new commentmuzz said on 2009-01-28 @ 08:48 NZDT: Report abusive post
Any action would be good. Something. Anything. Extending the deadline for another few months and then partial suspension? Oo, that'll show 'em.