FIJI 1 May 2009 Pacific island's military leader given deadline for holding elections

The 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum gave Fiji military leader Voreqe Bainimarama, who seized power after a Dec 2006 coup, until May1 to hold elections or face suspension. Bainimarama stepped down on Apr 9. Fiji President Ratu Josefa Iloilo abrogated the country's constitution, appointed himself head of state and set a 2014 election deadline. Suspension from the forum could have painful consequences for Fiji.

The British-led Commonwealth of Nations is also considering suspending Fiji. 

Loss of Pacific Islands Forum membership could mean Fiji's loss of special regional trading access to Australian and New Zealand markets for its sugar, and Lome Agreement access to European Union markets. Continuing tension could cut into its important foreign income from tourism. Strategically located for air travelers from Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Japan, Fiji is a major destination for tourist cruises.

The forum was established in 1971 and no country has been suspended. Fiji has been a key member and the organisation is based in Suva.

In 2007 Bainimarama promised forum leaders he would hold elections by Mar 2009. He moved the date to 2010, and the president has moved it to 2014.

Australia, New Zealand and the European Union have taken a tough stance against Fiji's interim government. Forum members Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tonga have been more conciliatory. Bainimarama said he pulled out of the forum because Fiji's delegation would not be able to go to Auckland after the forum for bilateral meetings with other governments. Fiji's military leaders have been banned from entering New Zealand.

Bainimarama says he plans to put his "People's Charter," which is supposed to end what he sees as race based elections, to the vote of Fijiians.

The 2006 coup was not the first for Fiji. Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka led a coup in May 1987, demanding greater protection for Fijian rights and an entrenched Fijian dominance of any future government. In October the same year, Fiji left the Commonwealth of Nations and became a republic under an appointed civilian prime minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. A new constitution, designed to concentrate power in the hands of Fijians, was promulgated on July 25, 1990. UPDATED Apr/09

RELATED READING:

New Zealand leader likens Fiji to Zimbabwe (Australasia World News/Earth Times 20 Aug 2008)
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/226895,new-zealand-leader-likens-fiji-to-zimbabwe.html

Fiji history (Encyclopedia Britannica)
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/206686/Fiji#tab=active~checked%2Citems~checked&title=Fiji%20--%20Britannica%20Online%20Encyclopedia