4 Sep 2012

Khaiyum says Forum stance on Fiji is imposed by NZ and Australia

9:22 pm on 4 September 2012

Fiji's interim Attorney General says New Zealand and Australia have imposed their minority view over Fiji on the Pacific Islands Forum.

He was reacting to the Forum's decision to maintain its stance on Fiji which has been suspended since the 2006 coup.

Mr Sayed Khaiyum says Pacific Island representatives at this year's Fiji-led Engaging with the Pacific meeting in Nadi congratulated Fiji on its progress towards elections.

He says it was also apparent at the Forum that smaller countries wanted Fiji back but New Zealand and Australia do not want to lose face over the issue.

"But I think they miss the point. In the Pacific way they would not be losing face. It would be a sign of wisdom and I think that point is lost on them. Nobody in the Pacific nor the Fijian government are going to point fingers at them and say they've lost face."

Mr Sayed Khaiyum says the Forum's secretariat is beholden to Australia and New Zealand's agenda and marginalising Fiji in arrangements like the PICTA free trade agreement.