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EU knows we can’t hold 09 poll: A-G
02/12/2008
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Fiji’s interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said he has done what he can to convince the visiting European Union delegation that Fiji can not hold elections in 2009.
And if the EU fails to see the interim Government’s point then it it’s their call, he said.
The interim Government has emphasized that political stakeholders have to meet and agree on ways to reform Fiji’s race-based voting system before elections can be held.
Sayed-Khaiyum, who is also Minister responsible for Electoral Reform, met with the EU delegation this morning and said the meeting was fruitful as they talked about electoral reforms and the proposed President’s Dialogue Forum.
“These were very useful discussions. We were able to talk about the rationale behind the electoral reforms.
“It was sad that the group could not meet with the elections office or the electoral reform commission. I gave them a quick brief on what has been going on and how long it will take to hold the elections.”
According to a statement from the EU office in Suva, the delegation met a wide range of stakeholders from the interim Government, the political sector as well as from different parts of the economy, the judiciary and civil society in order to obtain as precise a picture as possible of the political and socio-economic situation of the country. The delegation also visited projects funded by the European Union in the education sector.
In the statement, the EU delegation following its consultations notes that commitment of the interim Government following the December, 2006 coup “to enable free and fair elections within 24 months as of 1 March, 2007 is unlikely to be honoured”.
“Unfortunately, the delegation could not confirm that credible and timely preparations for elections are underway. This is a condition for the resumption of financial support from the European Union to the Fijian economy.”
This means that the $334 million grant promised to Fiji’s ailing sugar industry may not be forthcoming until elections are held.
To this Sayed-Khaiyum said the interim Government will continue to support the sugar industry although no aid is forthcoming.
“Government apart from the $5 million to the sugar industry in the 2009 Budget has given a separate allocation for the establishment of the sugar research institute,” he said.
“It is imperative that the restructure must continue to keep in touch with the changes that take place globally.”
Before leaving today, the EU delegation urged that parliamentary elections take place before the end of 2009 “based on a political dialogue process involving all stakeholders and conducted without delay”.
Fijilive
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Posted Comments
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Posted
By: Funglius
Posted On:
Dec 02 2008 18:49:23
Comment:
This is Fiji's wake up call. No money if you don't do what you are told.
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Posted
By: ned kelly
Posted On:
Dec 02 2008 18:58:01
Comment:
When will we go into election? The AG should tell the nation the time of the election. As you said you know the time of the election.
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Posted
By: EK
Posted On:
Dec 02 2008 19:23:41
Comment:
I think Fiji can go to the polls next year, but does the IG want it?
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Posted
By: tintin
Posted On:
Dec 02 2008 20:53:41
Comment:
The EU are no fools. Chat Chalavorn, the head of the nine-judge court panel, said the "court has decided to dissolve the party to set a political standard and an example", adding that "dishonest political parties undermine Thailand's democratic system". Thai press.
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Posted
By: david1005143
Posted On:
Dec 02 2008 22:20:42
Comment:
Have any one of you worked in Elections Office, Electoral Commission, Boundaries Commission, etc. It takes lots of resources and time. Also, everyone must come on board to move the country forward. So the timing of election is yours, the stakeholders.
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Posted
By: Ram
Posted On:
Dec 03 2008 07:54:43
Comment:
... don't think it will be soon.
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Posted
By: waitui
Posted On:
Dec 03 2008 08:26:05
Comment:
I wonder if the public is really interested in the excuse.
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Posted
By: Lucy
Posted On:
Dec 03 2008 12:50:17
Comment:
Please give the people of Fiji the "a democratically elected government" soon as we all want to move ahead with the rest of the world and not left behind.
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