CMAG calls on govt to resume Dialogue Forum

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group has called on the Fiji government to urgently confirm its readiness to resume the Political Dialogue Forum at its meeting in New York yesterday.

CMAG received a briefing from Commonwealth Secretary General Kamlesh Sharma on his special envoy Sir Paul Reeve's visit to Fiji earlier this month and also informed CMAG that he personally met Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama in New York on Friday.

Upon a request from Fiji, CMAG also received a briefing from Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

CMAG expressed regret at Fiji's suspension from the Commonwealth and hopes that Fiji would take the necessary steps to restore its full participation in the Commonwealth without delay.

The Group noted the importance Fiji attaches to its relationship with the Commonwealth and welcomed the willingness of the Prime Minister to hold discussions with Sir Paul Reeves, while also expressing disappointment and concern that Sir Paul was constrained from meeting with other political leaders while in Fiji.

In relation to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, CMAG has requested the Commonwealth Games Committee to take into serious consideration its decision in relation to the suspension of Fiji, in determining Fiji's participation in the games.

CMAG said while the Commonwealth was willing to remain engaged with Fiji, it called on the government to confirm its readiness to resume the Political Dialogue Forum as well as electoral preparations as a basis upon which Commonwealth engagement could move forward.