Fiji envoy unlikely to chair political forum

07/10/2008 15:57:58

The Commonwealth's special envoy to Fiji has indicated its unlikely he will be chairing the political forum in the island nation, proposed for later this year.

Our Pacific correspondent Campbell Cooney reports the proposed political forum was to bring Fiji's politicians together, to discuss the country's political future.

It was to have the support of the Commonwealth, and be chaired by it's envoy to Fiji, former New Zealand Governor General Sir Paul Reeves.

But Sir Paul says while the Commonwealth wants the meeting to look at a number of issues, the interim government's indicated it only wants electoral reform on the agenda.

Sir Paul has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program there's now a question mark over his, and the Commonwealth's involvement.

"My idea, and the Commonwealth's idea, of political forum, is not that which is seen to be appropriate by the interim government itself."

Since its coup in December 2006, Fiji's been suspended from the Commonwealth.

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