The Forum Ministerial Contact Group has stated that they are disappointed after interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama told them that elections will not be held by March 2009.
Speaking to the media after their meetings with Bainimarama and the interim cabinet ministers, the Elections Office and political party leaders, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said political dialogue needs to occur in Fiji now to move towards democracy.
Smith said the Pacific Islands Forum, the UN and the Commonwealth now need to encourage the dialogue process.
Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Samuel Abal also said it is all good to pressure for elections in Fiji but only through dialogue positive changes can take place.
Meanwhile, Stephen Smith said life in Fiji continues to get worse as the country's military ruler puts off democratic elections.
Smith told Radio Australia that the international community cannot sit idly by without seeing progress.
They will submit their report to the Forum in PNG next month.
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Ministerial Contact Group Disappointed
