Fiji has been handed its toughest message yet on the need to hurry-along elections and restore genuine democratic and constitutional Govt. Meanwhile, there are signs the military regime, having received a series of tough messages from international leaders, may be having second thoughts over its hard-line stance. Trade Minister Phil Goff, says the Commonwealth Ministerial action group has told Fiji the only viable way ahead is to advance preparations for an election under the present constitution while pursuing political dialogue between the interim Govt and stakeholders.

Military PM Voreqe Bainimarama wants UN and Commonwealth technical assistance to assist in developing a new “people’s charter” and has reneged on a promise to the Pacific Island Forum to hold elections by March 2009. Goff says political dialogue can provide the clarity required for an election. It includes agreement on a post-election framework for further discussions to resolve the constitutional and broader issues of national reconciliation the December 2006 coup and its aftermath have highlighted. The Commonwealth made clear its support for the Forum roadmap to return legitimate Govt to Fiji. Two Forum members, NZ and Papua New Guinea, are on the action group and helped ensure other members were informed of recent Forum discussions aimed at assisting Fiji back to democratic Govt.

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