15 Aug 2008

Reports suggest Fiji may withdraw from Pacific forum

3:29 pm on 15 August 2008

Reports from Fiji say the interim government may pull out of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting in Niue after it was excluded from dialogue meetings in New Zealand.

Fiji's interim foreign minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has told Fiji TV he is disappointed that his country is not included in the dialogue in Auckland, ahead of next week's forum meeting.

Instead, Fijian officials have been advised to hold the dialogue meetings in Niue.

The Fijian interim government has asked the forum chairman and Tongan Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele, to intervene.

Ratu Epeli says Fiji may have to rethink attending the meeting if it continues to be singled out by Australia and New Zealand.