7 Jan 2009

Fiji hopes for open minds when Forum meets in PNG

11:22 am on 7 January 2009

Fiji's interim administration is giving clear signals that the interim Prime Minister intends to attend this month's special Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Papua New Guinea, which will discuss the situation in Fiji.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama boycotted the last summit in Niue in August accusing New Zealand of denying visas that would let the Fiji delegation participate fully in post forum dialogue.

The interim Prime Minister used his New Year address to confirm that he will attend and his interim Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has said the interim administration has always been happy to attend all meetings.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum says the interim Prime Minister will not be put off by potentially robust discussions:

"Well I think they will be fruitful if everyone came with an open mind and treated everyone equally."

Fiji's interim Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.