(o+) "I Will Not Meet Commonwealth Deadline" : Bainimarama Reforms First, then Elections

As predicted -- and as the CMAG group must have known -- Fiji will not comply with the Commonwealth ultimatum to announce elections by September 1 and hold them in November 2010. PM Bainimarama says Fiji will continue on its path to elections in 2014.

There was a time when Government critics accused Bainimarama of inconsistencies and backtracking on promises. No longer. For a long time now, he has been unwaveringly consistent on the reforms he sees as needed before truly representative election can be held. Since Australia, New Zealand and the PI Forum, from whom the Commonwealth takes its lead, are likely to see changes in their stance as a loss of face (not in my book), one hopes that behind-closed-doors diplomacy will now increase, with Fiji being offered all the assistance needed to design and implement the reforms and hold elections no later than 2014. I say "no later" because continuing internal and external obstructions may cause further delays.

My advice to my own government would be:

• Dialogue with the Fiji government, using a stick and carrot approach.
• Concentrate on human rights improvements and the speedy relaxation of the Emergency Regulations.
• Encourage the different parties to talk with each other.
• Encourage "middle Fiji" to cooperate with the government's intended reforms.
  
• Cease dialogue with extreme elements in Fiji who continue to obstruct government plans.
• Progressively relax the travel bans, starting with senior civil servant (non-military) families.
  
• Offer legal and other assistance for Bainimarama's reforms.
  
• Reaffirm your offer of assistance with election preparation.
• Offer access to at least some Forum meetings.
  
• Urge the progressive extension of Forum and Commonwealth benefits.
• Listen to Pacific Island leaders, and seek their help to break the impasse.
• Assist our media and public to better understand the Fiji situation
  
• Appoint new faces to deal with Fiji; people who can find something good to say.
  

Bainimarama told FijiLive that he had issued a roadmap to elections in 2014, which includes a new constitution that assures racial equality and reforms that will address the country’s coup culture. “The governments view is that the best way forward for a truly sustainable democratic Fiji is, Fiji’s Strategic Framework for Change,” said Bainimarama.

He said ministries and departments are engaging in consultations on the Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio Economic Development (RDSSED) 2009 - 2014. The RDSSED sets out a framework to achieve sustainable democracy, good and just governance, socio economic development and national unity, he said.

He said the objective of the road map is to implement policies to achieve the vision of “A Better Fiji for All” which is consistent with the Peoples' Charter and is linked to the Strategic Framework for Change (SFC).

Bainimarama added that changes entailed in the Charter is about the Electoral System, Parliament, Laws, the Public Service and related institutions including priorities in economic and social development, indigenous institutions, the use of land, food and security, how minority interests are protected and enhanced, Fiji’s relations with former Fiji citizens living overseas, race relations, the relationships between religions in Fiji and many other changes.

He said that integral to this process has been the firm commitment of all stakeholders as well as the Government towards the restoration and sustenance of “true parliamentary democratic governance, stability and peace in Fiji”. Extract. To read in full, click here.