ID :
26885
Mon, 10/27/2008 - 17:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/26885
The shortlink copeid
Fiji poll could be delayed: coup leader
Fiji's coup leader Frank Bainimarama has told his political rivals to either accept changes through dialogue or risk delaying democratic parliamentary elections. Bainimarama laid out his ultimatum on Monday during his first meeting with political party leaders in the island nation since he seized power in a bloodless coup two years ago.
The military strongman has been under intense international pressure to restore
democracy but has said elections cannot be held until there are changes to the Fiji
electoral system.
At his meeting with rival political leaders Bainimarama said he would prefer to move
forward through dialogue and by developing a broad-based consensus for change.
"In the absence of support for the change agenda from the political parties, this
will result in a protracted delay in the holding of parliamentary elections under a
truly democratic electoral system," he said.
Laisenia Qarase, who was prime minister at the time of the December 2006 coup, said
there had been limited progress at the talks, but he was hopeful.
"It was a good meeting. I think we made some progress, not very significant progress
at this point, but it is a positive," Qarase told AAP after the meeting.
"I think they listened to what I said and there were some suggestions that were made."
He said no election date was set, although more talks were planned.
Bainimarama had previously promised to hold free elections before March 2009, but
has since changed his position, saying the time frame is unachievable.
He believes Fiji's communal voting system is racist and gives too much power to
indigenous Fijians at the expense of other ethnic groups, and has said reform is
essential.
On Monday, he said he remained committed to returning Fiji to parliamentary governance.
"I am mindful that this journey that we are embarking on today will certainly not be
a smooth one. We will certainly stumble and fall if we continue to just look back
and remain mired in finger pointing and in the blame game," Bainimarama said.
A statement issued after the meeting described the atmosphere as "one of realism,
optimism and progress".
It said the participants "were unanimous that Fiji must return to parliamentary
rule" but their positions in regard to issues such as electoral reform and an
election timetable varied.
The military strongman has been under intense international pressure to restore
democracy but has said elections cannot be held until there are changes to the Fiji
electoral system.
At his meeting with rival political leaders Bainimarama said he would prefer to move
forward through dialogue and by developing a broad-based consensus for change.
"In the absence of support for the change agenda from the political parties, this
will result in a protracted delay in the holding of parliamentary elections under a
truly democratic electoral system," he said.
Laisenia Qarase, who was prime minister at the time of the December 2006 coup, said
there had been limited progress at the talks, but he was hopeful.
"It was a good meeting. I think we made some progress, not very significant progress
at this point, but it is a positive," Qarase told AAP after the meeting.
"I think they listened to what I said and there were some suggestions that were made."
He said no election date was set, although more talks were planned.
Bainimarama had previously promised to hold free elections before March 2009, but
has since changed his position, saying the time frame is unachievable.
He believes Fiji's communal voting system is racist and gives too much power to
indigenous Fijians at the expense of other ethnic groups, and has said reform is
essential.
On Monday, he said he remained committed to returning Fiji to parliamentary governance.
"I am mindful that this journey that we are embarking on today will certainly not be
a smooth one. We will certainly stumble and fall if we continue to just look back
and remain mired in finger pointing and in the blame game," Bainimarama said.
A statement issued after the meeting described the atmosphere as "one of realism,
optimism and progress".
It said the participants "were unanimous that Fiji must return to parliamentary
rule" but their positions in regard to issues such as electoral reform and an
election timetable varied.
