Fiji defiant after ouster from Pacific bloc
05/02/2009 | 04:02 PM
SUVA, Fiji — Military-ruled Fiji remained defiant Saturday after its historic suspension from the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum, rejecting the "punitive action" for delayed election and warning it won't be deterred from its chosen path even by "adversity."
The coup-plagued nation was suspended from the regional bloc Saturday for what the forum called its rejection of democracy, freedom and human rights.
The suspension, the first in the forum's 37-year history, bars Fiji's leader, ministers and officials from taking part in any meetings or events, and cuts Fiji out of development funding until a democratic government is restored.
Chairman Toke Talagi, premier of the micro-state of Niue, said Fiji's rejection of fundamental principles like "the full observance of democratic values" and the defense and promotion of human rights violations had given the forum no alternative.
But Fiji Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum said the military government "shall not be deterred from any of its objectives even in the face of adversity, created by some."
"The statement ... falsely refers to so-called breaches of basic human rights, democracy and freedom under a military regime," Sayed Khaiyum said in a statement. He did not elaborate.
He accused regional powers Australia and New Zealand of using their influence to force its suspension because of their "political agendas" and rejected the demand that Fiji hold elections within eight months.
"The untenable proposition that elections should be held at any cost immediately, even under a flawed system, is not only patronizing but demonstrates a lack of commitment to true democracy and sustainable parliamentary representation," he said.
On Friday, Fiji's military ruler, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, defied international pressure to announce elections, confirming that he would not hold them for five years.
That set the stage for his country's ouster from the forum, which had given Fiji until Friday to announce elections for 2009 or be suspended from the group.
Bainimarama ousted the ethnic Fijian-dominated government in a 2006 coup and installed himself as prime minister. He has vowed to rewrite the constitution and electoral laws to remove what he says is discrimination against the country's large ethnic Indian minority before holding elections. Critics say he shows little sign of being willing to give up power.
Fiji President Ratu Josefa Iloilo announced in early April that elections would be delayed until 2014. He also suspended the national constitution and fired judges who had declared the military government illegal.
Emergency laws were also imposed on the media to curb expressions of dissent, which Bainimarama said would be extended when they expire later this month.
The military leader said that within two weeks he would announce a five-year timetable for reforms leading to elections. - AP
The coup-plagued nation was suspended from the regional bloc Saturday for what the forum called its rejection of democracy, freedom and human rights.
The suspension, the first in the forum's 37-year history, bars Fiji's leader, ministers and officials from taking part in any meetings or events, and cuts Fiji out of development funding until a democratic government is restored.
Chairman Toke Talagi, premier of the micro-state of Niue, said Fiji's rejection of fundamental principles like "the full observance of democratic values" and the defense and promotion of human rights violations had given the forum no alternative.
But Fiji Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum said the military government "shall not be deterred from any of its objectives even in the face of adversity, created by some."
"The statement ... falsely refers to so-called breaches of basic human rights, democracy and freedom under a military regime," Sayed Khaiyum said in a statement. He did not elaborate.
He accused regional powers Australia and New Zealand of using their influence to force its suspension because of their "political agendas" and rejected the demand that Fiji hold elections within eight months.
"The untenable proposition that elections should be held at any cost immediately, even under a flawed system, is not only patronizing but demonstrates a lack of commitment to true democracy and sustainable parliamentary representation," he said.
On Friday, Fiji's military ruler, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, defied international pressure to announce elections, confirming that he would not hold them for five years.
That set the stage for his country's ouster from the forum, which had given Fiji until Friday to announce elections for 2009 or be suspended from the group.
Bainimarama ousted the ethnic Fijian-dominated government in a 2006 coup and installed himself as prime minister. He has vowed to rewrite the constitution and electoral laws to remove what he says is discrimination against the country's large ethnic Indian minority before holding elections. Critics say he shows little sign of being willing to give up power.
Fiji President Ratu Josefa Iloilo announced in early April that elections would be delayed until 2014. He also suspended the national constitution and fired judges who had declared the military government illegal.
Emergency laws were also imposed on the media to curb expressions of dissent, which Bainimarama said would be extended when they expire later this month.
The military leader said that within two weeks he would announce a five-year timetable for reforms leading to elections. - AP
