At stake is the restoration of millions of dollars in EU aid, which depends on Fiji keeping its commitment to return to democracy following the December 2006 coup.
The European commissioner for development cooperation and humanitarian aid, Louis Michel, said the concerns included “the vulnerability of rule of law and respect for human rights” when democratic control is removed.
“I can never condone a military takeover,” Michel said in a statement after the completion of a fact-finding report by a European Union delegation which visited Fiji last month.
“The EU expects the interim government to meet commitments it has taken in these areas and to ensure elections not later than the end of February 2009,” the statement said. “Meeting these commitments will allow the EU to deliver its assistance program, but there is deep concern that the election time-table is at risk of slipping.”
Fiji’s interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama wants the electoral system in the Pacific island nation overhauled before elections are conducted.
He has criticized the current system for entrenching racial divisions between the indigenous Fijian majority and the ethnic Indian minority.
Bainimarama also fuelled doubts about meeting the election deadline commitment when last month
In related news, the National Federation Party has called on the European Union to withhold all aid and assistance until a democratically elected government is in place.
According to the Fiji Times, NFP general secretary Pramod Rae said the party’s call to the EU was based on the interim government’s untrustworthiness
“The EU should await the completion of the electoral process and formation of a genuine multi-party government in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Constitution before releasing aid and assistance that is currently suspended and not consider doing so upon the outcome of dialogue in the political forum because this regime is untrustworthy,” said Rae.
