SUVA (Pacnews) — Fiji’s President Ratu Josefa Iloilo will make a presentation to the Forum Eminent Person’s Group on the political situation in the Pacific island nation.
The secretary of the president’s office, Rupeni Nacewa, said Ratu Josefa has been ready for the meeting for two weeks.
“He has been ready to meet the group for about two weeks now because they were supposed to have come two weeks ago,” said Nacewa.
“The president has a presentation ready for the meeting. I am unable to reveal what it will be on until after the meeting.”
The EPG will also meet with interim Prime minister and military chief Frank Bainimarama, the chairman of Great Council of Chiefs, the Fiji Human Rights Commission, representatives from the judiciary, business community, media, civil society and Forum member countries in Fiji.
Ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase is scheduled to meet the group on Thursday in his village of Mavana on the island of Vanuabalavu, in Lau.
The four-member high-level mission will assess the underlying causes and nature of the overthrow of the Qarase government by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, suggest a medium and mid term resolution to the current political situation in Fiji, and consider the role the Forum and its members might most usefully play in assisting Fiji achieve this outcome.
Following the mission, the group will prepare a report to be considered by Forum foreign affairs ministers.
The EPG comprises of Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister Sato Kilman, retired Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea Sir Arnold Arnet, Samoa’s Environment Minister Faumuina Liuga and retired commander of the Australian Defense Force, Peter Cosgrove.
Fiji may return to democratic rule in five years, Bainimarama has indicated.
Speaking on a Fijian television program, the military chief said the interim administration is likely to rule for another “three, four or five years.”
”I know some people do not favor our cleanup campaign especially with the sacking of people in key government positions. Some have not accepted it because their families have been adversely affected,” he said.
But he pleaded with the people of Fiji to bear with the military and accept the changes “because this is for the betterment of not only Fijians but all races in this country.”