Forum-Fiji JWG Agreed Outcomes of 25th meeting
PRESS STATEMENT (15/08)
20th March 2008 Pacific Islands Forum-Fiji Joint Working Group on the Situation in Fiji 20 March 2008, Forum Secretariat, Suva AGREED OUTCOMES The Working Group held its twenty-fifth meeting at the Forum Secretariat Headquarters in Suva on 20 March 2008, attended by senior officials from Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu. The Chair of the Constituency Boundaries Commission briefed the Working Group on the Commission’s work programme and its progress to date. The Working Group welcomed the Commission’s commitment to complete its work well in time to allow for elections by March 2009. The Working Group noted the importance of the formal boundaries process commencing in April so that it may proceed in accordance with the timeline outlined by the Chair for completion by November 2008. The Working Group also acknowledged the Commission’s need for external technical assistance to move ahead with its work, and encouraged appropriate requests to be made as soon as possible through the Elections Donor Coordination Committee. Fiji advised the Working Group that interviews for the Supervisor of Elections had been completed and the recommendation of the Constitutional Offices Commission was now with the interim Attorney-General. The Working Group expressed its hope that the appointment would be finalised as soon as possible. A briefing was provided to the Working Group by the Chair of the Elections Donor Coordination Committee on the outcomes of the Committee’s last meeting on 12 March 2007. The Working Group was also briefed on the visit by election experts from Australia and New Zealand to re-evaluate the gap analysis by the Elections Office, and advised that the experts’ report would be finalised shortly and would contain a number of substantive recommendations in regard to the further assistance needed by Fiji for the electoral process. The Working Group further discussed preparations for the meeting of Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers to be held in Auckland on 26 March 2008. The Working Group will hold its next meeting on 10 April 2008. Forum Secretariat, Suva, 20 March 2008 |
2008