OUTCOMES, 19th Meeting, Forum-Fiji Joint Working Group
PRESS STATEMENT 226/07
8th November, 2007
Pacific Island Forum-Fiji Joint Working Group on the Situation in Fiji
Forum Secretariat, Suva
AGREED OUTCOMES
The Working Group held its nineteenth meeting at the Forum Secretariat Headquarters in Suva on 8 November 2007, attended by senior officials from Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu.
A presentation was made to the Working Group on the Peoples’ Charter proposal.
The Working Group received an update from donors on their progress to date on the coordination of assistance to Fiji to hold an election. The Working Group endorsed the formalisation of the Elections Donor Coordination Committee. Further discussions will be held to conclude a financing mechanism for coordinating assistance.
The Working Group endorsed the public release of the Scoping Mission Report through the PIFS website.
Fiji updated the Working Group on progress toward holding an election by the first quarter of 2009, advising that the appointment of a Deputy Supervisor of Elections was in hand. Fiji advised that it was taking steps regarding the staffing of the Election’s Office.
The Working Group further discussed the standing issues (the restoration of civilian rule, upholding the 1997 Constitution, the cessation of human rights abuses and addressing allegations of abuse, and support for a credible and independent anti-corruption commission).
The Working Group will hold its next meeting on 22 November 2007.
(ENDS)
8th November, 2007
Pacific Island Forum-Fiji Joint Working Group on the Situation in Fiji
Forum Secretariat, Suva
AGREED OUTCOMES
The Working Group held its nineteenth meeting at the Forum Secretariat Headquarters in Suva on 8 November 2007, attended by senior officials from Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu.
A presentation was made to the Working Group on the Peoples’ Charter proposal.
The Working Group received an update from donors on their progress to date on the coordination of assistance to Fiji to hold an election. The Working Group endorsed the formalisation of the Elections Donor Coordination Committee. Further discussions will be held to conclude a financing mechanism for coordinating assistance.
The Working Group endorsed the public release of the Scoping Mission Report through the PIFS website.
Fiji updated the Working Group on progress toward holding an election by the first quarter of 2009, advising that the appointment of a Deputy Supervisor of Elections was in hand. Fiji advised that it was taking steps regarding the staffing of the Election’s Office.
The Working Group further discussed the standing issues (the restoration of civilian rule, upholding the 1997 Constitution, the cessation of human rights abuses and addressing allegations of abuse, and support for a credible and independent anti-corruption commission).
The Working Group will hold its next meeting on 22 November 2007.
(ENDS)
