The president said that although he will not attend the forum, State Minister Temmy Shmull is in Niue for the forum on his behalf.
Presidential Chief of Staff Billy Kuartei said that aside from the complications in traveling to Niue, the president is also attending a conference in Hawaii.
Kuartei added that the president still admits that another reason for his non-attendance of the forum was due to the situation involving Fiji.
Kuartei said that the president is standing pat on his position against Fiji’s coup leader Frank Bainarama who was said to have backed off from his promise to conduct an election on March 2009.
“Bainarama has said that there will be no election until there is Charter change,” Kuartei said.
Bainarama told forum leaders in last year’s meeting in Tonga that a parliamentary election would be held in the first quarter of 2009.
The president however said Palau is still participating in the forum on other regional issues.
Remengesau earlier said other pressing issues that the forum need to discussed are being pushed.
The forum meeting in Niue will begin on Aug. 19.
