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PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has
cautioned against rushing changes in Fiji without ensuring the public
service machinery that can support the changes.
Fiji Times reports the Pacific Islands Forum chairman said the region
wanted Fiji to return to democracy.
“The issue, however, is to ensure that a return to democratic government
is not temporary but enduring,” he said.
“I would caution against rushing requisite structural changes without
ensuring that the public service machinery is able to support those
changes.
“Likewise, regional development partners, including the forum would do
well not to impose unrealistic political timetables on Fiji,” he said.
Replying to claims by Australian foreign affairs minister Alexander
Downer that interim prime minister Frank Bainimarama would not be
welcome at the forum leaders meeting in Tonga, Sir Michael said that it
was regrettable he had assigned himself the role of speaking for and on
behalf of the host government Tonga, the forum chairman and other forum
leaders.
However, at the same time he said every Pacific leader wanted to have
good relations with Australia, based on mutual respect, as it is located
in the region.
“We want nothing more than a harmonious and cordial working relation
with Australia because the security, political and the economies of
countries in the region are linked,” he said.
“But it is important to keep in mind that the forum risks undermining
its ability to influence Fiji’s transition to full democracy in ways
that are acceptable to us if we completely refuse to acknowledge that
Bainimarama and his interim government is in effective control of Fiji,”
Sir Michael said.
“The forum should perhaps seriously cede to the principle of doctrine of
necessity and deal with the Fijian Government from within the forum,
instead of trying to influence changes in Fiji while excluding it from
the forum,” Sir Michael added.
“I have always held the view that the forum would have better leverage
to help guide Fiji back to democracy if we kept our doors open instead
of closing them on Fiji,” he said.
 
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