SUVA (Pacnews) — A United Nation mission is in Fiji this week to assess the situation in the country to reach a peaceful settlement and restore democracy in the coup prone south Pacific nation.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon  sent a fact-finding mission comprising political, electoral, human rights and development experts to Fiji in the wake of last December’s coup d’état.
The team is expected to meet with ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and members of Fiji’s interim administration, including military commander and interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.
The mission dispatched to Fiji in response to the Security Council’s call for the restoration of democracy and a peaceful resolution of political tensions
“The team is to gain a first-hand assessment of the situation in Fiji through broad consultations with the interim authorities, representatives of all political parties and civil society,” the statement said.
The team led by Jehangir Khan of the U.N. Department of Political Affairs, is also expected to hold talks with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the resident diplomatic community
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters has urged Fiji to abide by the commitments it has made to the European Union over the holding of democratic elections, the respect for human rights and the rule of law.
“During consultations over the possible suspension of EU development assistance as a result of the coup, Fiji undertook to hold elections by March 1, 2009,” Peters said.
“This is a good outcome, which we welcome. Fiji has possibly averted the suspension of EU aid, but the EU will be expecting to see the interim administration in Fiji take concrete steps that prove they will live up to the commitments made in Brussels The outcome of the EU consultation is consistent with the recent Pacific Forum foreign ministers meeting in Vanuatu, and the Eminent Persons Group report, which both believed elections could be held sooner than the three-to-five years’ timetable nominated by Commodore Frank Bainimarama. Many countries, including New Zealand, attach a great deal of importance to an election timetable of 18 months to two years. It is pleasing to see the EU reaffirm the credibility of such a time frame. As a friend of Fiji, New Zealand wants to see the earliest possible return to democracy, and we are happy to discuss the logistics of that process,” Peters said.
Fiji has indicated that its stands ready to comply with the demands of the European Union except for the election time table, now subject to an independent review.
A joint Pacific Islands Forum/Fiji Working Group has agreed that an independent team of experts review the 36 months election time frame proposed by the Fiji interim government.
Bainimarama said Fiji will commit to a new timetable after findings of the independent review team was received.  The team is expected to submit its findings in June.