Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji politician says Forum had no option but to suspend Fiji

Posted at 20:30 on 04 May, 2009 UTC

A leading Fiji politician says the Pacific Islands Forum’s decision to suspend Fiji is regrettable but it had little other option.

Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry says the Forum had warned Fiji it would be suspended if it did not meet a May 1 deadline to announce an election date.

But he says he hopes the Forum will resume dialogue with the regime in Fiji as soon as possible.

“Of course the initiative on this will have to be taken by the Government here. The Forum has indicated very clearly in its statement that its ready and willing to assist provided its sees any positive moves on the part of the authorities here to restore parliamentary democracy.”

Mahendra Chaudhry says Fiji can not grumble about its suspension, but its important that both parties engage in a new direction.