Fiji’s suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum in 2006 demonstrated that geopolitical influences had an influence on the decisions made by the Forum, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told Parliament on Wednesday.
He said despite the two coups, despite five years of decree-led Government, Fiji was not suspended from the Forum.
“Despite the Prime Minister of Fiji at that point in time in 2000 being held captive for 56 days with members of his Cabinet, riots in Suva, despite that and then another Government being appointed without elections, Fiji still was not suspended from the Forum,” he said.
“However, on December 5th, 2006, it was suspended. What it demonstrates, the mechanisation of the Forum, what it demonstrates and what it goes to show is what the Prime Minister was saying – the architecture of the Forum.
“It demonstrates that geopolitical influences had an influence on the decisions made by the Forum.
“A lot of people do not realise that all these things actually had a decision of geopolitical considerations.
“Honourable Niko Nawaikula, that is what we are trying to demonstrate to you. I know there is a kind of amnesia regarding pre-5th December 2006, but if you want to contribute, you need to be able to talk about these matters openly in a transparent manner,” he said.
SOURCE: FIJI TIMES/PACNEWS
