Fiji declined to attend this year’s Forum meeting in Niue after New Zealand placed transit visa restrictions on the interim government’s delegation.
The chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum, Niue Premier Toke Talagi, told Radio Australia he welcomes the commodore’s request.
“I’m happy to receive that because I think that’s exactly what the Pacific Island Forum Leaders want, that’s the re-establishment of contact to ensure that we continue a dialogue, to ensure that Fiji holds general elections as quickly as possible but certainly before March 2009,” he said
In other news, Fiji’s interim Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who is way in Accra attending an African Caribbean and Pacific Heads meeting, has been reassigned to provincial development and multi-ethnic affairs.
Bainimarama said his decision was in response to an outcry from people living in the rural and outer islands for improved infrastructure and public services. “I have decided to give him this new responsibility given his extensive knowledge and hands-on experience on the workings of the civil service, government’s role in rural development and the sources of assistances available to facilitate such development,” he said. “He also has excellent public relations appeal, which is very much needed in outreaching and inter-facing with rural people.”
In the meantime, Bainimarama will be responsible for foreign minister until an appointment is made.
