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Frank Bainimarama - Source: ONE News -
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Fiji's military regime says it doesn't believe it will be thrown out of the Pacific Islands Forum, despite stern warnings from members.
Australia and Papua New Guinea have reaffirmed their intentions to remove Fiji from the forum if it fails to announce an election date before May 1 - just two days away.
The deadline was set at a January meeting to discuss the troubled state that has been without a democratically-elected government since a December 2006 coup.
The forum's chairman Toke Talagi this week also restated the deadline ultimatum, saying it was even more important, given the abrogation of the country's constitution in recent weeks.
But Fiji's interim attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said he doubted his country would be removed from the forum.
He told the news website FijiLive that the country's military leader Frank Bainimarama had been informing the forum and its members on recent developments in Fiji.
"The prime minister's office has been busy dealing with this and I don't think that Fiji will be excluded from the PIF activities," he said.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his Papua New Guinea counterpart Michael Somare suggested the opposite on Tuesday when they presented their united, hardline position on Fiji.
"You cannot sustain within a family of democracies within the Pacific Islands Forum, or a family of democracies within the Commonwealth, a government like that of Fiji ..." Rudd told reporters.
Sir Michael, traditionally a Bainimarama ally, said PNG was also adopting a tough approach towards its troubled neighbour.
"We have bent over backwards (to help)," he said.
"I have tried my best, but they have decided to suspend the constitution."
The latest upheaval stems from an April 9 court decision that Bainimarama's government had been ruling illegally since staging the country's fourth coup.
The constitution has since been abrogated, the currency devalued by 20%, media sanctioned and elections set back to September 2014.
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Post new commentalwyn said on 2009-06-18 @ 14:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
The general flu causes between 200,000 and 250,000 deaths p.a world wide. Swine flu has caused only a fraction of this number in proportion. There is a temporary cure i.e. Tami flu until a vaccine is produced for H1N1 flu. I don't understand what all the fuss is about?
Janey said on 2009-06-16 @ 09:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think NZ media and health service has been far too blase about this outbreak. The UK's BBC news website has been reporting symptoms and PREVENTION for weeks and has an excellent outbreak map, which clearly shows quick acceleration of the virus. The UK's health service posted information leaflets to every home WEEKS ago. My husband works in a a business where the workers come into contact with lots tourists - they only just received a booklet on the virus 2 days ago. NZ, get with the programme!
skeptic said on 2009-06-16 @ 07:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
Thank you Mark Sainsbury for telling us the symptoms, and debunking the mythology. Many of us did not even know that we probably have the swine flu which is probably now widespread in our community. It was clear from the outset that authorities were not taking the drastic steps necessary to contain an epidemic. Since they have created an elaborate ritual to prove that they have done everything possible ... Thank God this was not a SERIOUS pandemic.
FightFlu said on 2009-05-04 @ 23:41 NZDT: Report abusive post
I absolutely agree Tis, this particular virus could have been a lot worse. Due to information technology these days we have highly accessible and up to date information to keep us informed, and with knowledge is power. As long as the people remain calm, and keep informed we should be able to keep the Swine Flu at a safe distance.
Tis said on 2009-05-02 @ 11:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
This scare could perhaps prepare us well for a more severe future pandemic - e.g. Ok, so all the focus is on Tamiflu - but what about ensuring enough antibiotics to treat secondary infections from a new influenca - and do we have enough of those machines in hospitals to help people breath when they are in acute respiratory distress - lets hope so!