An expert who has studied autocratic regimes moving towards democracy says the transition in Fiji has a high chance of success if both the regime and its opponents have moderates at the helm.
Dr Paul Buchanan, who advised the US government on Latin American politics, says the best scenario involves moderates or softliners on each side coming to informal agreements and guarantees before the elections.
Dr Buchanan says Fiji is a classic case where regime interests have to be guaranteed in the first instance if a successful transition is to occur
"The opposition has to bite the bullet and as much as they thirst for revenge and in tne cases I am very familiar with, you know we're talking the torture and death of family members, you just have to bite the bullet in the interests of achieving a democratic objective and then maybe in ten, fifteen years bring those responsible to justice."
Transitional politics expert, Dr Paul Buchanan.
