CMAG split over possible suspension

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group is reportedly split down the middle over suspending Fiji.

Radio Australia News reported that while some countries including New Zealand were in favour of suspension, others like Malaysia which chairs the Action Group, were against the move.

Papua New Guinea is also believed to have been amongst the Commonwealth Ministerial Group members opposing suspension.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Government is yet to receive official word from the Commonwealth Action Group with regards to the ultimatum to commit to democratic elections by next year, or face full suspension from all parts of the Commonwealth.

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said they have not received word from CMAG and will only comment when they have had talks with them.

The Commonwealth Action Group reached the decision after close to 7 hours of deliberation in London on Friday night.

In their concluding statement, CMAG said they have issued a communiqué, where a month's deadline until September 1st for Fiji to commit to elections in October 2010 or face full suspension.

In the statement, CMAG authorised the Chair and Secretary General to consult on engagements with Fiji and should a positive response be received, they are to furnish a report to the next CMAG meeting in New York on the 26th of September this year.

CMAG has also called for the Government to reactivate the President's Dialogue Forum process, facilitated by the Commonwealth and the United Nations.

In their statement, they also add that the dialogue must be independent, inclusive, time bound and without any predetermined outcome and should also lead to credible elections in October 2010.

A full suspension from the Commonwealth would see Fiji experience more sanctions from the 53 member-countries of the Commonwealth and even see Fiji athletes not being able to compete in the Commonwealth Games next year in India.