Forum EPG to Fiji
PRESS STATEMENT 02/07
Thursday, 25 January 2007
FORUM EPG TO FIJI
The Forum Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) to Fiji will convene next week to hold consultations with President Ratu Josefa Iloilo and representatives of both the interim authorities and ousted government, including Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama and Mr Laisenia Qarase.
The EPG will also meet the Chairman of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs), the Fiji Human Rights Commission, representatives from the judiciary, business community, media, civil society and Forum member countries in Fiji.
Last month, at the Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting held in Sydney, Ministers asked the Forum Secretary General, in consultation with the Government of Fiji, to convene an EPG to meet with relevant parties to the then impasse, and to make recommendations for a way forward.
“Events in Fiji have now partially overtaken that mandate, but Forum members still feel it is necessary for the EPG to assess the situation on the ground, and to develop views on where we might go from here,” said Mr Greg Urwin, Forum Secretary General.
“The Forum remains dedicated to assisting its members steer towards peace and stability.”
The EPG will be headed by Hon. Sato Kilman, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Vanuatu, and comprises Hon. Faumuina Luiga, Samoa’s Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Sir Arnold Amet, retired Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea and General Peter Cosgrove, retired Chief of the Australian Defence Force.
The Terms of Reference for the EPG are as follows:
To assess the underlying causes and the nature of the overthrow of the Government of Fiji by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF);
To assess the prospects for appropriate resolution of the present situation in Fiji in the short and medium term, and obstacles to such a resolution;
To identify steps that the parties in Fiji may take to move swiftly and peacefully toward the restoration of democratic government, within the boundaries of Fiji’s constitution and the rule of law; and
To consider the role the Forum and its members might most usefully play in assisting Fiji achieve this outcome.
The EPG’s mission will take place from 29 January to 1 February. Following the mission, the group will prepare a report to be considered by Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers.
ENDS
For more information contact, Johnson Honimae, Media Officer, on phone (679) 331 2600, Mobile: (679) 9458763 or email or
Mue Bentley, Media Officer (Pacific Plan) on phone (679) 331 2600, mobile: (679) 9932638 or email
Thursday, 25 January 2007
FORUM EPG TO FIJI
The Forum Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) to Fiji will convene next week to hold consultations with President Ratu Josefa Iloilo and representatives of both the interim authorities and ousted government, including Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama and Mr Laisenia Qarase.
The EPG will also meet the Chairman of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs), the Fiji Human Rights Commission, representatives from the judiciary, business community, media, civil society and Forum member countries in Fiji.
Last month, at the Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting held in Sydney, Ministers asked the Forum Secretary General, in consultation with the Government of Fiji, to convene an EPG to meet with relevant parties to the then impasse, and to make recommendations for a way forward.
“Events in Fiji have now partially overtaken that mandate, but Forum members still feel it is necessary for the EPG to assess the situation on the ground, and to develop views on where we might go from here,” said Mr Greg Urwin, Forum Secretary General.
“The Forum remains dedicated to assisting its members steer towards peace and stability.”
The EPG will be headed by Hon. Sato Kilman, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Vanuatu, and comprises Hon. Faumuina Luiga, Samoa’s Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Sir Arnold Amet, retired Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea and General Peter Cosgrove, retired Chief of the Australian Defence Force.
The Terms of Reference for the EPG are as follows:
To assess the underlying causes and the nature of the overthrow of the Government of Fiji by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF);
To assess the prospects for appropriate resolution of the present situation in Fiji in the short and medium term, and obstacles to such a resolution;
To identify steps that the parties in Fiji may take to move swiftly and peacefully toward the restoration of democratic government, within the boundaries of Fiji’s constitution and the rule of law; and
To consider the role the Forum and its members might most usefully play in assisting Fiji achieve this outcome.
The EPG’s mission will take place from 29 January to 1 February. Following the mission, the group will prepare a report to be considered by Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers.
ENDS
For more information contact, Johnson Honimae, Media Officer, on phone (679) 331 2600, Mobile: (679) 9458763 or email or
Mue Bentley, Media Officer (Pacific Plan) on phone (679) 331 2600, mobile: (679) 9932638 or email
