Fiji suspension 'inevitable', says Goff

SUVA, Fiji: Military Commander Frank Bainimarama (L) walks to a press conference at the Queen Elizabeth Barricks 7 December 2006, days after Fiji's fourth coup. Photo / Getty Images, Phil Walter

Labour leader Phil Goff has described Fiji's expulsion as "regrettable but inevitable".

"Labour regrets the suspension because of the long history of friendship and close links between the two nations and its people," Mr Goff said.

"Sadly the action has been taken because basic democratic rights have been taken away from the Fijian people, who have been denied the opportunity to vote in democratic elections," he said.

He said democracy, the freedom of the media, the independence of the judiciary and freedom from arbitrary arrest have all been undermined by the interim Fiji Government.

The Commonwealth officially suspended Fiji after it failed to respond to demands to begin restoring democracy to the island nation, resume dialogue with opposition groups and call elections by next year.

Fiji had until Tuesday midnight (local time) to meet the conditions.

"This is an announcement I make with deep regret. It is a step the Commonwealth is now obliged to take, and one that it takes in sorrow," Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, said in a statement reported CNN.

Fiji would therefore lose most of its Commonwealth aid and would not be allowed to participate in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Representatives of Fiji's interim government would also be excluded from participating in inter-governmental meetings and activities.

On 21 August Sharma received a letter from Commodore Bainimarama reaffirming his commitment to the principles of the Commonwealth but Bainimarama's response did not meet the terms set out by the Commonwealth reports The Commonwealth website.

However, Sharma left the door open to future dialogue between the The Commonwealth and Fiji.

"I welcome the invitation from Commodore Bainimarama to meet my Special Representative in Fiji in September, and look forward to continuing my good offices engagement to promote adherence to Commonwealth principles and the welfare of the people of Fiji", Sharma said according to the Commonwealths website.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama took over control of Fiji's government in December 2006 after a bloodless coup.

He has vowed to reform the country's electoral system and eradicate the "endemic corruption" before holding any general election.

In a radio interview in Fiji, Bainimarama said that the Fijian government believed "the only path to ensuring sustainable and true democracy" included holding elections in 2014 said the BBC.

- NZ HERALD STAFF