Statement on Fiji

The Commonwealth Secretariat has noted the reported comment of the Interim Foreign Minister of Fiji, that the request of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) for certain commitments by 1 September 2009 “is no longer relevant”, as the Interim Prime Minister of Fiji Islands has responded to the Secretary-General regarding the proposed visit of a Commonwealth delegation to Fiji.

The Secretary-General received a letter from the Interim Prime Minister on 21 August regarding the CMAG decision and the visit of the proposed Commonwealth delegation to Fiji.

CMAG’s statement requires the interim regime to commit itself in writing to reactivating the President’s Political Dialogue Forum in a manner which is independent, inclusive, time-bound and has no pre-determined outcome, and with a view to having national elections by October 2010.

The Secretary-General therefore responded in writing to the Interim Prime Minister on 24 August, that CMAG’s requirements had not been met.

The Secretary-General has also responded positively to the Interim Prime Minister’s invitation to Special Representative Sir Paul Reeves to visit Fiji on 9-11 September, and the Secretariat is now in discussions with Fiji officials with a view to finalising details for that visit.

Eduardo del Buey

Spokesperson

Tel: +44-774045-0901

Email: e.delbuey@commonwealth.int

Key Links:

• Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on Fiji