1 Aug 2009

NZ's foreign minister says Commonwealth has sent Fiji a clear message

9:17 am on 1 August 2009

New Zealand's foreign minister, Murray McCully, says Fiji needs to decide to bring itself back into the international community at some stage soon.

The Commonwealth has given Fiji a deadline of September the 1st to commit to elections in October 2010 or face full suspension from the organisation.

The Minister, Murray McCully, who was at the meeting in London, says the conditions under which the Commonwealth will engage with Fiji were made very clear today.

"Now the Commodore needs to either sign up to that process or he will be suspended on the 1st of September from the Commonwealth, that's clear outcome it's one that reflects the clear principles of the Commonwealth and it's one that's very much in line with the position of the Pacific Forum."

New Zealand's foreign minister, Murray McCully.

Fiji was suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum last May.