Despite suggestions that some countries will be pushing for it, the chief executive officer of the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Auseugaefa Tuvaifale Va’asatia Poloma Komiti, said a suspension was unlikely.
“The usual feeling among Forum member countries is that Fiji should calm down and let them engage (with the region in ways to move forward),” Auseugaefa said.
“Each country has different views on the issue regarding Fiji, but my own personal opinion on Fiji’s situation is that such a decision (suspension) cannot be made,” Auseugaefa added.
Under the Pacific Islands Forum Charter, Auseugaefa said he was unsure of the conditions under which a suspension is made possible.
Samoan Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Lupesoli’ai Sa’ilele Malielegaoi will attend a special Forum Leaders summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, next week.
At the meeting, the Forum hopes to make a decision about Fiji, said Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aiono Mose Su’a.
“The Prime Minister will meet with leaders from other Pacific Islands and also with Frank Bainimarama,” Aiono told the Weekend Observer.
A report prepared by the Forum Ministers Contact Group will be submitted to Government leaders of each Pacific Island, who will then discuss the matter, Aiono explained.
Fiji’s position in the Forum has become a hot topic of discussion following Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama’s refusal to hold a democratic election.
Tonga has indicated that it does not support the idea of suspending Fiji.
Tonga’s Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele said: “Tonga’s position on the Fiji situation is that we would work toward finding a way forward for Fiji.”
Dr Sevele will be traveling with Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa to Port Moresby on a private aircraft of the New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key.
He said the flight from New Zealand to Papua New Guinea will be an opportunity for him and Tuilaepa to present their case to the New Zealand PM about a demand by Air New Zealand for Tonga and Samoa to subsidize the Air New Zealand flight from Auckland through Tonga and Samoa to the USA and back.
