Pacific

Talagi condemns actions of Fiji's military

11:14 am on 16 April 2009

The chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum, Toke Talagi, has condemned the actions of the military government in Fiji and says it poses a real threat to stability in the region.

The Niuean Premier says he has written to other Pacific leaders asking whether they should take action against Fiji ahead of the the May the 1st deadline set by the Forum for Fiji to announce an election date.

Toke Talagi says the abrogation of the constitution and the reinstatement of the former government contravene the rule of law.

"We had hoped that the decisions that were taken by the Court of Appeal would have allowed the situation in Fiji to quickly head towards what clearly was the directive to appoint an interim PM whose responsibilities would have been to take the country back to democratic rule as quickly as possible. This hasn't happened. Military rule has taken over."

Toke Talagi says the Forum will also consider whether it should move its operations from Fiji.