NZ disappointed by Fiji stance

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is disappointed Fiji appears set to withdraw from talks with a Pacific Islands Forum working group trying to help it return to democracy.

Fiji's self-appointed prime minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama said at the weekend the country was suspending talks with the forum group due to the actions of New Zealand and Australia.

A travel ban imposed by New Zealand on Fijians linked to the military coup has resulted in the newly appointed chairman of Fijian Holdings Limited Robin Storck resigning from his position.

Mr Storck said he was resigning because he needed to be able to travel to New Zealand for medical treatment.

The move angered Cdre Bainimarama and followed on the heels of him lashing out at criticism from Mr Peters and Australian ministers of his comments on Wednesday that planned 2009 elections could be delayed to allow change to Fiji's electoral system.

However, it is understood that despite Cdre Bainimarama commenting he intends to suspend talks with the working group, Fiji is yet to notify the forum.

A spokesman for Mr Peters today said New Zealand would be disappointed if Fiji did withdraw.

"We'd urge the Commodore to continue dialogue with the forum and to continue working towards the undertaking he gave forum leaders last year in Tonga."

At that meeting Cdre Bainimarama committed to elections by March 2009.

- NZPA