Fiji given ultimatum by forum
Updated
The Pacific Islands Forum has delivered a clear ultimatum to Fiji's military backed interim government, on returning the country to democratic rule.
Presenter: Campbell Cooney
Speakers: Toke Talagi, Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Premier of Niue; Brian Anderson, President of Australia Fiji Business Council; Professor Brij Lal, Head of the School of Pacific and Asian Studies at the Australian National University in Canberra
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COONEY: When Pacific Islands Forum Chairman, Niue Premier Toke Talagi, fronted the media in Port Moresby on Tuesday night, it marked the end of hours of deliberation and debate over a united response to Fiji's refusal to hold elections, as promised, this March.
TALAGI: We first of all say how very pleased I am that we have managed to reach a consensus on a decision with respect to Fiji. I believe that we have reached the consensus this afternoon, which will help Fiji.
COONEY: But the help the Forum's offering comes on the back of an ultimatum on elections.
Firstly, Fiji's military backed interim government must:
"Nominate a date for elections to be held by the end of 2009, with that date to be publicly declared by the first of May."
COONEY: As well, it must also:
"Provide Forum Leaders with a timetable agreed to by all political stakeholders. This agreement is to be reached without threats, preconditions, ultimatums or predetermined outcomes. Make a clear commitment any reforms agreed through political dialogue are to be implemented in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Fiji. Undertake and sustain serious and credible election preparations. Make a renewed commitment that the military will withdraw from civilian politics, following such an election, return to barracks and submit to the authority of the elected civilian government."
COONEY: And as Forum Chairman Premier Talagi pointed out, the cost for Fiji of not meeting the commitments will be high.
TALAGI: The suspension of participation by the leader, ministers and officials of the Fiji interim government in all forum meetings and events and ineligibility of the Fijian interim government to benefit from forum regional cooperation initiatives and new financial and technical assistance other than assistance for the restoration of democracy.
COONEY: The "Australia Fiji Business Council" represents companies which trade in or with Fiji.
Its President Brian Anderson says since the coup, business and investor confidence in Fiji has suffered and anything the Forum does which removes assistance of any kind won't help.
ANDERSON: The infrastructure within Fiji to do business is already falling apart, the roads are badly damaged even compounded by the recent floods. If the Fiji government doesn't have funding there's going to be a lot of programs which will simply fall by the wayside.
COONEY: Professor Brij Lal from the Australian National University says Fiji's Interim Government can't ignore what the Forum's telling it.
LAL: There is clearly an ultimatum, if Fiji does not declare a date for elections by May, an election to be held some time this year then all kinds of serious consequences will follow . What the forum leaders are saying is being watched very closely by the UN and Commonwealth Secretariat. You may look at the prospect or see the prospect of Fijian soldiers being barred from peacekeeping duties. You may see the imposition of sport sanctions.
COONEY: Despite that Professor Lal believes Interim Prime Minister and Coup Leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, won't listen.
LAL: My own sense is no, given what the interim Prime Minister said a few days ago to a military parade in Suva that whatever it takes, five years, ten years, they're very reluctant on the part of the interim administration to even talk about elections.
COONEY: Brian Anderson from the Australia Fiji Business Council also doubts the Commodore will respond in a way the Forum will be happy with.
ANDERSON: I hope that the interim government agrees to the ultimatum from the forum and puts something in place that at least gives us hope of an election this year but everything we've heard so far would appear to say that they'll do it when they're ready and not before.
