Elections Possible If Parties Agree To Electoral Reform-Interim AG

Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told the leader’s forum in Papua New Guinea that elections can only come when all Fiji's political players and parties agree on electoral reform.

TV NZ reports that Khaiyum says that electoral reform has to come first before the Pacific Island Forum demands of free and fair elections.

The 15 pacific island leaders including Australia and New Zealand Prime Minister's Kevin Rudd and John Key will discuss what they see as the best measures to get Fiji back on the route to democracy.

Meanwhile Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama had earlier stated that he is focused on implementing the People's Charter first even if it takes 5 to 10 years to do so.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key says it is unacceptable that Fiji would have to wait four or five years before holding elections.

The leaders will consider a report compiled by forum ministers that expresses serious concerns about Fiji's lack of progress towards holding elections. It will recommend a range of sanctions, including suspension from the forum.

Earlier Key said that he did not believe there would be a split between Australia and New Zealand on the one hand and the island countries on the other over the issue.
He added that from NZ's point of view, they are sensitive to the issues and don't intend to come to the forum and act like bullies.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Michael Somare in addressing the leaders this afternoon, in wanting ti help Fiji, says the Pacific Way is not about burning bridges but its about going the extra distance and being compassionate and being able to forgive.

Somare says if there are any lessons to be learnt from the previous coups, hurriedly prepared elections and token changes to rules do not usher in real democracy.

He says coups are symptoms of underlying causes therefore it must be addressed and that they must engage with the Interim Government and help the political dialogue in Fiji to succeed.

Somare conclude that the Forum should not ignore the plea from Fiji and not take punitive actions against fiji.

Meanwhile, as the meeting between leaders continues, a group called the NGO and Civil Society coalition partners gathered outside the Crown Plaza to protest against the PNG PM - Michael Somare's stance against Fiji.

The group led by Noel Anju said, Somare is not qualified to talk about Fiji's internal issue, but should rather concentrate on Papua New Guinea's problems with regards to corruption.

Before the group could get too vocal, local police bis-banded the group.