The Commonwealth and the United Nations have agreed to jointly facilitate the dialogue, which would set a timetable for Fiji to return to democratic rule.
Sir Rabbie’s withdrawal comes after he was labeled a “puppet” of Australia and New Zealand by some Fiji politicians.
Former PNG Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu said he agreed to chair Fiji’s proposed President’s Political Dialogue, after he was contacted by the Commonwealth Secretary General in January.
But media reports have attacked Sir Rabbie.
Sir Rabbie told Radio Australia that because of those attacks on his reputation, he has contacted the proposed meeting’s coordinators, and withdrawn himself from consideration as chairman.
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, described the comments from Fiji as insulting to all Papua New Guineans
Fiji’s interim government has denied labeling Sir Rabbie as a puppet of Australia and New Zealand.
“It is unfortunate that such damaging media reports have turned this issue into a major diplomatic but unnecessary incident,” said Jone Dakuvula, Fiji’s political parties coordinator.
“This report is clearly false because the prime minister of Fiji had made no such decision and in fact the matter is still to be decided by the political parties meeting on April 9, 2009.”
Dakuvula said Fiji’s interim Prime Commodore Frank Bainimarama had also made no comment about Sir Rabbie.
“I should point out that it was the government of Fiji that had recommended Sir Rabbie Namaliu to the Commonwealth and U.N. to be approached for the position as Chief Mediator,” he said.
