Discussions have ended and outcomes reached by the Pacific Island Leaders, regarding Fiji's current political situation, at the Forum retreat on the island of Vavau in Tonga.
At a Press Conference called by the Tongan Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele, Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer and New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark it was made known that seven outcomes were reached at the meeting regarding Fiji.
Our News Director, Vijay Narayan has just filed this report from Vavauin Tonga.
Vijay Narayan: They have just finished discussions on Fiji's situation and they've come up with 7 outcomes which includes the endorsement of the findings of the Eminent Person's Group following its mission to Fiji from 29th January to February 1st this year and the outcomes of the Foreign Ministers Meeting in March 2007 as an appropriate way forward for the restoration of constitutional and democratic government in Fiji.
The second outcome, they have welcomed the undertaking by the leader of the Fiji interim government, Commodore Frank Bainimarama to the Forum leaders today that a parliamentary election will be held in the first quarter of 2009 and they note that he has also stated to the Forum leaders that he and the RFMF will accept the outcome in the first quarter of2009.
The third outcome calls on the Fiji Interim Government to work now with the Forum Joint Working Group to produce a credible road map to those elections at that time according to the Constitution and law of Fiji and urges the interim government to accord the highest priority to this task.
They have also noted that the Interim Government is perusing an initiative to produce the People's Charter
The fifth outcome, they have expressed appreciation for the support which members of the International community have accorded to the Forum actions in addressing the pathways to elections by the first quarter of209.
The sixth outcome, they have commended the work carried out by the Fiji Forum Joint Working Group in seeking to advance the pathway to elections by the first quarter of 2009
And the final outcome on Fiji they have called for the meeting of the foreign forum ministers in January next year to review the progress being made towards the elections being held in the first quarter of 2009.
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark says she is happy with the outcome and she is happy with the address made by Commodore Bainimarama and the same sentiment was expressed by Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer who also said that the Forum was a useful meeting for everyone to get together and address the situation in Fiji with Commodore Bainimarama explaining the situation in our country and they have also indicated that as soon be as a credible map to Democracy is formalised and hopefully they say it could be by January next year when the Forum Ministers meet and there is a high possibility that the sanctions placed against Fiji by the Australia and New Zealand Could also be lifted.
However they have made it clear that the next elections should be held under the current Constitution. They have noted the work of the People's charter but they have expressed strong views that the current constitution should be part of the road map to ensure that a credible election is held in March 2009.
Feature
7 outcomes for Fiji
