The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Greg Urwin, said that the position of the Prime Minister of Fiji Qarase as the Chairman of the Pacific Forum is under consideration. Speaking in Suva on December 15, the Secretary General also expressed his deep regret on the over-throwing of Prime Minister Qarase's democratically elected government of Fiji by Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, the Commander of the Royal Fijian Military Force.

"The impacts of the RFMF-led removal of the democratically elected Government are already beginning to have serious consequences not only for the economy and the welfare of the people of Fiji but also the international reputation of Fiji and the region as a whole. The crisis in Fiji must be resolved through negotiation, within the Constitution and with respect for the rule of law,"” he said. "“As the actions of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces now prevent Prime Minister Qarase from exercising his leadership of the Fiji Government, and have also made it impossible as a matter of practicality for him to fulfill his duties as Forum Chair at the present time, Forum Leaders are considering an alternative Chairing arrangement."

"The Forum is consulting with the RFMF-installed regime and other relevant stakeholders in Fiji to ascertain their willingness to speak with a Forum Eminent Persons' Group to be convened as soon as possible, as mandated by Forum Foreign Ministers on 1 December,"” the Secretary General said.

Mr Urwin emphasised that Forum members had expressed their collective commitment to upholding democratic processes and institutions in Forum member countries as enshrined in the Biketawa Declaration. "The good offices of the Forum are available to help further the dialogue between the Government and RFMF toward a peaceful resolution of the situation," he said. - PIF