20 Feb 2007

Ousted Fiji PM says Forum findings reasonable

5:13 pm on 20 February 2007

Fiji's ousted Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, has described the findings of a Forum EPG report as reasonable and practical way forward for the nation.

The group has called the takeover unconstitutional and recommended that Commodore Bainimarama resign and the military return to their barracks.

It wants elections held within two years.

Mr Qarase says if the report is ignored there could be financial implications:

"Because I think the Forum is saying that if the findings are not accepted the Forum will have difficulty in assisting Fiji in Fiji's efforts to get back to democracy and other forms of assistance that the Forum might consider."

Mr Qarase has urged Forum Foreign Ministers not to steer away from the recommendations of the report , when they consider it at a meeting next month, as that would mean offering support to an illegal regime