Head of Pacific Forum says Fiji's decision when to hold elections
Updated
The chair of the Pacific Islands Forum says it's a pity Fiji has decided to defer general elections. Doctor Fred Sevele says if Fiji feels it won't be ready to hold elections in March as promised at the Forum meeting last October, it's their decision. Doctor Sevele says it was also decided at that meeting that an extension to the deadline would be considered if Fiji couldn't meet it. Doctor Sevele says he needs more time to consider Fiji's latest decision.
Presenter: Geraldine Coutts
Speaker: Tonga's prime minister and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Doctor Fred Sevele
SEVELE: I've only just seen that over the weekend, I think it was Saturday that I saw that. It's a pity, but that's their decision.
COUTTS: So what will the forum do? Will they be taking steps to encourage Fiji to hold the elections?
SEVELE: I have just received and I haven't read it thoroughly the report from the chair person of the Ministerial Contact Group that were in Fiji, you know last week. I haven't studied the report, the letter in detail which I will do and then forward to the leaders. It's what can you say, that's a decision made by the Government of Fiji, not to hold it. We were hoping that things would move towards elections next year. I'm not so sure as to why, what the reasons are for the statement that they cannot hold it next year.
COUTTS: You're saying they need more time to put into place all the reforms that they would like to have in place before the elections?
SEVELE: Yeah, I think at the end of the day, that decision is theirs, but I'm not so sure about. I think it's electoral reforms isn't it, is that what they say?
COUTTS: There are a number of reforms and most people are saying that those reforms ought to be conducted by a parliamentary democracy, by the parliament?
SEVELE: Yeah, I think the decision of the forum was quite clear that the election would be held within the provisions of the Constitution. Now, I'm not to sure as I said, I haven't seen the details as to exactly what the reforms. I know there was reference to electoral reforms and I know there had been talk about other reforms in terms of eligibility etc. But it's to early yet for me to comment on what has come out of Fiji.
COUTTS: Well, the interim, well Commodore Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed Kayum are debating the commitment that was actually given by Fiji at the forum in Tonga in October last year. They are saying that by removing the words "In Principle" it's still didn't mean that they committed to holding elections then. They say that their commitment was to 2010?
SEVELE: Well, the "In Principle" was raised that is true. They did raise that they wanted 2010. Sir Michael and I were delegated by the leaders to discuss with Commodore Bainimarama, the wording of our communique. Now certainly the Forum did not believe that "In Principle" should be and we indicated as such to Commodore Bainimarama and said look, the forum wanted you to be serious about it and take all reasonable steps towards holding elections in the first quarter of 2009. However, it was also prepared if it turned out that having taking all reasonable steps and make the commitment, it was not possible. Then as reasonable people, Forum leaders would look at an extension of their agreed deadline. The understanding last year was that they would hold elections by March of next year. This was the understanding arrived at together by all forum leaders.
COUTTS: Will you be getting in touch with Commodore Bainimarama to find out when they will commit to elections?
SEVELE: Well, at this stage I've got other things. I've still got parliament, but I've certainly be in touch with the leaders now that I've got the contact groups report and see what their views are and then perhaps later in the week or next week I think we need to consult with each other before I go back to the Commodore.
