3 Mar 2009

Democracy group in Fiji calls for Commonwealth to back Forum stand on election call

4:51 pm on 3 March 2009

The Movement for Democracy in Fiji says it is vital that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, or CMAG, backs the position on Fiji taken by the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders.

CMAG is to meet on Wednesday London time.

In January this year the Pacific leaders called on the interim regime to set a date for elections this year by May 1st.

The Movement's chair, Attar Singh, says CMAG needs to insist that any proposed dialogue for the restoration of parliamentary democracy in Fiji should be a process which is credible, without ultimatums or pre-conditions and, in accordance with the 1997 Constitution of Fiji.

He says the Commonwealth could have a lot of influence.

"It is important that a strong view comes from the Commonwealth. Fiji is a member of the Commonwealth and it is important that that view [that] comes from London, which will, in our view, carry an influence on the current decision makers here in Fiji."