The change in decision comes hours after interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama confirmed the exclusion of the two major political parties —Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua Party and the National Federation Party.
But Commodore Bainimarama later changed tune saying all parties would be allowed to attend the meeting of political leaders.
He said he had not excluded anyone who was eligible to be at the meeting.
Bainimarama chaired the meeting which decided on the terms of reference and agenda of the political dialogue forum.
SDL national director Peceli Kinivuwai said: “We hope that common sense will prevail. We need maturity and the spirit of give and take.”
“The focus of the meeting should be the issues that connect us all and not divide us. This is a meeting not about scoring points or showmanship but about statesmanship of all political leaders,” he said.
“What legacy will we all leave behind for our future generations if we cannot make this work? SDL is hoping that the winner after the meeting is the people of Fiji.”
NFP general secretary Pramod Rae said the meeting was for the country and not a self-serving one.
Fiji Law Society president Dorsami Naidu said the meeting did not only need a “yes man” for the government but should have people who would offer constructive criticisms that would benefit Fiji and her people, and for the international community to see there was a genuine desire to take Fiji to elections.
Bainimarama said if participants came with preconceived ideas and positions, they were bound to get disappointed “as this meeting is specifically to agree on a set of issues which will help us successfully convene the PPDF over a period of time.”
“I expect the meeting to reach an agreement on the agenda for the proposed PPDF, the criteria for participation and membership of the PPDF and the ToR and modalities for the PPDF,” he said.
“The quicker we reach an agreement, the earlier we will be able to convene the first meeting of the PPDF,” he added.
