Thu, 14 Jul 2011
The Commonwealth secretary-general, Kamalesh Sharma, says talks on the restoration of democracy in Fiji have stagnated.
Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth in 2009 when military ruler Commodore Frank Bainimarama refused to bow to demands to hold elections by 2011.
Mr Sharma told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat the Commonwealth will keep exploring opportunities to push for democracy in Fiji.
"We would like a broad-based political discussion heading towards the restoration of democracy," he said.
"But the abrogation of the constitution, the emergency order, and the decision making format which now avails by decree - all this has actually put the clock back."
Mr Sharma is in the Pacific this week to discuss ways the Commonwealth can strengthen its partnership with Samoa and Tonga.
SOURCE: Radio Australia News
The Commonwealth secretary-general, Kamalesh Sharma, says talks on the restoration of democracy in Fiji have stagnated.
Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth in 2009 when military ruler Commodore Frank Bainimarama refused to bow to demands to hold elections by 2011.
Mr Sharma told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat the Commonwealth will keep exploring opportunities to push for democracy in Fiji.
"We would like a broad-based political discussion heading towards the restoration of democracy," he said.
"But the abrogation of the constitution, the emergency order, and the decision making format which now avails by decree - all this has actually put the clock back."
Mr Sharma is in the Pacific this week to discuss ways the Commonwealth can strengthen its partnership with Samoa and Tonga.
SOURCE: Radio Australia News
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