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Niue Premier and outgoing chairman of the Pacific Island Forum Toke Talagi - Source: ONE News
The departing chairman of the Pacific Island Forum has urged
Fijian citizens to rise against the country's military
regime.
Niue Premier Toke Talagi told delegates at the opening ceremony of
the 40th annual forum in Cairns that a decision by Fijian leader
Commodore Frank Bainimarama to suspend elections until 2014 was
unacceptable.
Fiji was suspended from the forum earlier this year after the
strongman, who seized power in a coup in 2006, reneged on promises
to hold an election in March this year.
Talagi said Fiji's neighbours would not allow the situation to
continue.
"We will not accept a prolonged rule by the regime," he said.
"We are deeply concerned for the welfare of the citizens of Fiji
and remain ready to assist Fiji to return to democracy."
Talagi urged Fijians to take a stand against the regime.
"Perhaps the people of Fiji must now rise to challenge the
undemocratic rule of the military regime and restore democracy for
the sake of the future of their children," he said.
"The people of Fiji must also take responsibility for the
reconstruction and the future and their own destiny."
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the incoming forum chair,
said the actions of the military regime that included the arrests
of religious leaders, was not the Pacific way.
"The people of Fiji deserve better."
"This week we will need to reflect on how we can urge Fiji to
return promptly to democracy, particularly in the light of the
deterioration which has occurred in recent months."
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