3 Jul 2007

Fiji military commander threatens election delay until 2020

5:24 pm on 3 July 2007

Fiji's military commander says if Fiji Law Society members keep trying to challenge his interim administration, elections won't be possible in 2009 but put off to 2020.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama made the comment to Fijilive as a group of lawyers wants to petition the president to re-instate the chief justice.

The military suspended Justice Daniel Fatiaki in early January but as yet there have been no details of the allegations against him.

Commodore Bainimarama has told the lawyers that they are wasting their time with their efforts.

He says by signing petitions they'll never bring down the interim regime.

The interim government has said it may be possible to hold elections in 2009 as demanded by some of the international aid donors.

A joint Fiji/Pacific Islands Forum team has been working towards updating rolls and redrawing electoral boundaries for fresh elections.