The Prime Minister of Samoa is rejecting claims that Fiji must be helped to restore democracy rather than told what to do.
"Calls have been made for the international community to continue dialogue with the regime in Fiji, following its suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum ."
The Samoan Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele says he would not discourage further dialogue with Fiji.
But he says he does not accept the view that Fiji should be encouraged towards elections rather than told to announce an election date.
I cannot buy that argument for the simple reason that democracy is not something new to the Fijians. The legislature, the executive and also the judiciary have been functioning normally until the military decided to meddle.
Tuilaepa Sailele says a lot of meetings have already been held with the interim leadership and he does not believe Commodore Frank Bainimarama will take any advice from the forum.
