New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the development is significant and disquieting.
He said there is a pathway forward for Fiji’s elections where certain things have to happen in a staged way.
Peters said as each month goes by one becomes more concerned that Fiji’s interim government is not meeting timelines and obligations.
Last week, Peters said Bainimarama must honor his promise to Forum Leaders that elections will be held in accordance with Fiji’s current constitution and laws, by March 2009.
He said it was difficult to understand Bainimarama’s reported comments to EU representatives on Wednesday that an election might be delayed in order to first put in place changes to the electoral system.
“It is an extremely serious matter that the commodore appears to be willing to turn his back on commitments he made to Forum Leaders in Tonga last year,” Peters said.
“His comments also raise basic legal and constitutional issues that should concern everyone who wants to see a legitimate government restored in Fiji,” he added.
The interim government came to power after a coup, and it is impossible to see how it can implement significant electoral or constitutional changes, given such changes must be adopted by a legitimate parliament, Peters said.
He added, “Our message is that the interim government’s role should be to prepare the ground for a return to legitimate rule as soon as possible. We recognize that an election will not provide a solution for all of Fiji’s problems, and there needs to be further free and open political dialogue.”
