Interim PM set to reject Forum ultimatum
Updated
Fiji coup leader and interim Prime Minister has given a clear indication he does not intend meeting an election deadline set by the Pacific Islands' Forum.
Presenter: Campbell Cooney
Speakers: Frank Bainimarama, Fiji's interim Prime Minister Commodore
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COONEY: While Fiji's interim Government says it's yet to formally review and consider the ultimatum from the Pacific Islands' Forum leaders to set an election date this year before the first of May, coup leader, and interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama's indicated it's unlikely to get the support of him, or the ministers in his military backed government.
Speaking to Legend FM in Fiji Commodore Bainimarama has accused the Forum of exceeding its authority.
BAINIMARAMA: The Forum has gone beyond its mandate. The Forum was never to decide to determine what type of government members should have. Indeed the forum has never to decide when an election in a member state should be held.
COONEY: And in previewing a likely rejection of the ultimatum the Commodore's made it clear who he thinks is behind it.
BAINIMARAMA: But if I can just be very brief and tell Australia and New Zealand that Fiji's position is not going to change. Fiji's position is that electoral reforms must be in place before any election is called.
COONEY: The ultimatum has the support of the small island states of Kiribati and Tuvalu, who rely on Fiji for air links, trade and education.
To ensure their support, the forum's agreed, if Fiji takes action against the two countries in retribution, member nations, in particular Australia and New Zealand, will step in to help.
Since the 2006 coup Australia and New Zealand have been repeatedly attacked by Commodore Bainimarama.
He's unhappy both have maintained travel bans on members of the military and the interim government and their families and he's accused them of dominating the forum and its decisions.
Since the coup his military-backed government has expelled two New Zealand High Commissioners, denied a diplomatic visa for an Australian consular officials and accused the High Commissions of both countries of not treating it with respect, and of spying on Fijians.
Kiribati and Tuvalu's support of the Forum's position has given the Commodore a new reason to target the two countries.
BAINIMARAMA: Australia and New Zealand have really done it for us, not only have Australia and New Zealand applied cheque book diplomacy, with Kiribati and Tuvalu. They have done something that no one can ever have thought of possible in Pacific Island nation states. They have paid the leaders of Kiribati and Tuvalu, who are our friends, who are our island nation friends and that's what Australia and New Zealand are doing.
COONEY; In the forum's communique after this week's meeting it also called on other nations to take complementary action.
On Tuesday night, US State Department Spokesman Robert Wood released a statement.
It started by saying:
WOOD: The United States is extremely disappointed that Fiji's self-appointed leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama refused to attend the Pacific Island Forum conference of leaders in Port Moresby.
Those words weren't welcomed by Fiji's interim Prime Minister.
BAINIMARAMA: You know what these guys should have done, they should have done two things. One, you should may be get a brief from the embassy, and the members in Fiji. You would have found out that the reason that I did not go is that there was extensive flooding in Fiji, which requires my presence.
COONEY: But Mr Wood also made it completely clear about the US government's position on Fiji and the Forum's ultimatum.
WOOD: The United States strongly endorses the Pacific Islands Forum position and urges Fiji's interim government to move immediately to restore democracy and to hold free and fair elections, by the end of this year.
That led to this response from Commodore Bainimarama.
BAINIMARAMA: The other thing he should have done with regard to his endorsements of our ultimatum. I think he should have listened into his president's speech to remind him, to remind Robert Wood we are also a sovereign country.
