More regional reaction not good for Fiji leader

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Updated July 3, 2009 08:18:03

Leaders in Samoa and the Cook Islands have joined Australia and New Zealand in expressing concern about Fiji's latest roadmap for a return to democracy. The military commander and interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, has announced a new election won't be held until 2014.

Presenter: Sean Dorney, Australia Network's Pacific Editor

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DORNEY: Australia and New Zealand were quick to condem Commodore Frank Bainimarama's latest plea for international support and understanding for his plan to rule by decree for another five years and three months. But the Commodore's greatest critic in the Pacific, Samoa's Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele, was equally dismissive. He's told Radio New Zealand International that the Commodore has to recognise that a return to democracy is an absolute pre-condition for any international help for Fiji.

The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Jim Marurai, says the time frame is just too long. Anyway, he says, any new Constitution would have to be approved by a duely elected Parliament.

Vanuatu's Prime Minister, Edward Natapei, is trying to arrange a meeting in Port Vila in the next few weeks for the leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group countries to discuss Fiji ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Cairns next month - but the indications are the sympathy for Commodore Bainimarama is very limited.

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