Fiji PM wins backing from MSG leaders

Sean Dorney, Port Vila

Last Updated: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:40:00 +1000

Fiji's military commander and interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has won the full backing of the Melanesian Spearhead Group of countries for his continued rule.

After meeting Friday with the Prime Ministers of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Commodore Bainimarama won their support for the lifting of the suspension of Fiji from the Pacific Islands Forum.

The announcement came at the end of a day-long meeting of the leaders at a retreat in Vanuatu.

Praise for Commodore Bainimarama

The chairman of the group, Vanuatu Prime Minister Edward Natapei says the leaders praised Commodore Bainimarama's "Strategic Framework for Change" laid out in a recent address.

Mr Natapei says Commodore Bainimarama's plan reflects a clear vision to achieve sustainable democracy.

The plan would allow Frank Bainimarama to stay in power for at least another five years without elections.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, says he has been convinced that some of Commodore Bainimarama's plans were good for Fiji.

Interim Prime Minister delighted

Commodore Bainimarama, has described as a great result the about turn by the countries of Melanesia on the question of his legitimacy.

He was in a jovial mood when he arrived at the airport in Port Vila on Saturday to catch a flight back to Fiji and
is delighted he has received the unanimous backing.

"We came to tell the MSG Leaders what has happened since 2006 and what we need to do moving forward," he said.

"They understood and that was good, that was great."

It's a significant blow to Australia and New Zealand and means next month's Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Cairns to be chaired by Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will be divided on the main issue, Fiji.

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