Fiji interim PM comments on Qarase, Forum, popularity
Updated
Comments by Fiji's interim prime minister, Frank Bainimarama that the country will not meet the deadline to announce a return to democracy have attracted criticism around the region. The Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Niue premier Toke Talagi, says he's disappointed at the Commodore's position. And threats to stop the deposed prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, from leaving Fiji have been criticised by the former opposition leader, Mick Beddoes. Commodore Bainimarama says Mr Qarase lied to the court by saying he wanted to visit relatives in Australia.
presenter: Bruce Hill
Speaker: Fiji's interim prime minister, Frank Bainimarama .
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BAINIMARAMA: We certainly have to have a look with his visa when he comes back in whether he should go out again, because it's not so much him talking out there, he requested to come to Australia to see his family. He and his lawyers made representations to the court. The only reason that he wanted the court to allow him to come to travel to Australia was to see his children and grandchildren. It would appear that these representations were false, given he's now holding political meetings in Australia.
HILL: Well, it isn't just Mr Qarase that is saying those sorts of things and are very critical. As you mention there, the Pacific Islands Forum had a leaders meeting in Papua New Guinea recently and they said that they wanted to see a return to democracy in Fiji. Are you going to heed that call and return Fiji to democracy?
BAINIMARAMA: Bruce, that is going to be done, we will return to democracy, we return to democratic parliament, that is going to happen, but it will be to our tune and at our pace.
HILL: Do you have any idea what kind of timetable there will be for this return to democracy?
BAINIMARAMA: Well, people have been asking me that for the last 18 months, but one time I came up with a date and I got attacked for that, so I would rather not come up with any timetable right now.
HILL: What about the attitude of the other Pacific Island leaders, so that Forum meeting for Papua New Guinea. They actually gave you a deadline that by May 1st they want you to announce that there will be elections in Fiji. I take it from what you have already said, you are not going to meet that deadline?
BAINIMARAMA: Oh you're right Bruce, that is not going to happen. No-one is going to force us what to do here. We've already decided what's going to happen. I myself will tell you that unfortunately for the forum, may be only three countries endorsed what came out of the forum meeting in Papua New Guinea and that was Australia, New Zealand and Samoa, Samoa for good reason. Samoa and New Zealand are one in the same. But the rest of the Pacific Island countries did not. In fact I've heard that they were very disappointed with the outcome.
HILL: Can you tell our listeners why you decided to stage that military coup?
BAINIMARAMA: What military coup?
HILL: The military coup in 2006.
BAINIMARAMA: There was no military coup. It was a clean-up campaign to get rid of the racist policies that were brought about by Qarase and his crowd.
HILL: How do you stay in touch with ordinary people in Fiji? Is there somewhere that you get feedback from people? I mean you weren't elected as prime minister, so how do you go about representing people, how do you communicate with people and get your message across and listen to what they have to say?
BAINIMARAMA: I go out to the rural areas just about everyday of the week Bruce if you must know. I try and talk to them through the media. I share a bowl of Kava with them wherever I go and that's how I keep in touch with the people.
HILL: And what are the people telling you?
BAINIMARAMA: Well, I don't have any stone thrown in my direction if that's what you mean.
HILL: It might be a very brave person who threw a stone at you?
BAINIMARAMA: (LAUGHTER)
