Engaging Fiji meeting

[posted 20 July 2010,1530]

In the game of one upmanship between Fiji and its regional neighbours that has engaged us all in the past few days, we now hear that Fiji is to hold an “Engaging Fiji” meeting with some of its ‘friends’ in the region.

It allows Fiji to show that it still has allies in the region, but really one wonders what value such a meeting will carry for the people of Fiji.

The point being that Commodore Bainimarama should be “engaging” in meaningful political dialogue with leaders here in Fiji if we are to make any progress towards restoration of democracy and constitutional rule.

The only good that his regional allies can achieve at the Natadola meeting next week is to persuade him to hold inclusive political talks within Fiji.

What the authorities here need to note is the solidarity of the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum on Fiji as expressed in statements released after the Port Moresby and Brisbane meetings last year. The same people who attend next week’s Natadola meeting will attend the PIF summit next month.

In the Brisbane communiqué, Forum leaders expressed their “deep concern for the people of Fiji in the face of Fiji’s deteriorating economy as a consequence of the military regime’s actions, including the undermining of the private sector and the negative effect on business confidence in the absence of the rule of law.

The Leaders called for political dialogue in Fiji between parties on the principles of genuine, inclusive dialogue without pre-conditions or pre-determined outcomes.

The Forum is not likely to deviate from this position. The same message will come through at the Vanuatu Forum meeting next month.

Fiji, of course, cannot make a re-entry into the Form until it complies with the provisions of the Biketawa Declaration and the conditions set by Forum Leaders at the Port Moresby meeting in January 2009 which led to Fiji’s suspension in May 2009.

To show good faith in its commitment to restore parliamentary democracy, the Fiji administration must comply with the Forum’s directive for a new timetable, drawn up in consensus with all key political stakeholders, showing detailed steps towards restoration of democracy via general elections.

The only way this can be achieved is to resuscitate the President’s Political Dialogue Forum abandoned after the abrogation of the Constitution in April last year.