18 Jun 2008

Ousted Fiji opposition leader welcomes Qarase/Bainimarama talks

2:05 pm on 18 June 2008

Fiji's ousted opposition leader says he thinks talks between the former Prime Minister and Fiji's military leader are positive as long as they are being done in good faith.

The ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and the interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama met for the second time since the 2006 coup yesterday as representatives from the European Union arrived in Suva for talks.

Mick Beddoes says the two need to meet more often, and suggests a couple of times a week.

"If I were to look at it from a very sceptical point of view, I can't help but notice that prior to the PM going to the MSG he held his meeting with Mr Qarase and now on the eve of the arrival of the European Union, delegation he has his second meeting. Now that's if I'm a very cynical individual, which I am not."

Mick Beddoes says he will be meeting the EU's representatives on Friday.

The EU has been pressing the interim regime to hold elections by March.