28 Feb 2004

Talanoa talks between Fiji PM and Labour Party leader said to be making progress

9:16 am on 28 February 2004

Fiji's prime minister and the Labour party leader are reported to be making good progress on solutions to the country's land lease problems.

Laisenia Qarase, Mahendra Chaudhry and senior members of their parties have been discussing the issue during the "talanoa" talks now under way in Nadi.

Both men have told Fiji TV thay are optimistic a consensus can be reached which can then go before parliament.

No details have been released but both leaders are expected to make a joint statement when the two-day talks end today.

Other issues to be discussed today include changes to the 1997 Constitution, the restructure of the sugar industry and a United Nations report on racial discrimination in Fiji.