31 Aug 2009

Envoy's visit 'will not affect Fiji suspension ultimatum'

3:22 pm on 31 August 2009

A visit by the Commonwealth special representative to Fiji will not affect an ultimatum over suspension of the country, a representative of the group of nations says.

Fiji will be fully suspended from the Commonwealth if it fails to come up with a 2010 election date by Tuesday.

Former New Zealand Governor General, Sir Paul Reeves, is likely to visit Fiji for three days from 9 September, at the invitation of interim leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

Commonwealth spokesperson Eduardo del Buey says Fiji will still have to meet Tuesday's deadline for setting an election date, regardless of the visit.

Sir Paul Reeves has declined to comment, saying the situation is too sensitive at the moment.