Pacific

Forum ministers meet in Vanuatu to discuss Fiji crisis

14:44 pm on 16 March 2007

The Australian Foreign Minister says there is little that can be done if the interim Fiji government delays a return to democracy following the coup last year.

Alexander Downer was speaking before the Pacific Forum Ministers meeting that's being held in Vanuatu to discuss the Forum Eminient Persons report on Fiji.

The New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters hopes the meeting will present a clear and united voice on the past, present and future for Fiji.

The former Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea, who helped write the report, says its recommendations that the interim Prime Minister resign is objective and not unreasonable.

Meanwhile, the acting Forum Chair, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, is to meet the Fiji interim government next week.

The Fiji Times says Sir Michael Somare will meet the interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, in Suva.