Commonwealth To Consult PM On President's Forum

Commonwealth to consult PM on references for President's Forum

The Commonwealth Secretariat will consult Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama on the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the President's Forum to be convened in August.

Special Envoy Sir Paul Reeves said he would prepare draft terms of reference to be considered by the Commonwealth Secretariat which is in continuous talks with the United Nations regarding Fiji's return to constitutional and democratic rule.

"And I will also be consulting with the Prime Minister and what I'm hoping is that the draft which comes back from the Commonwealth Secretary General will then be endorsed by the Interim Government and hopefully by all political leaders who will be attending the Forum," Sir Paul said.

However, Sir Paul stressed the independence of his mission in the formulation of the Terms of Reference.

"It's vital to say that the Commonwealth id independent and I'm not responsible to the NCBBF or indirectly responsible to the Interim Government," Sir Paul said.

"We're coming in here in our personal capacity and I believe our independence is a gift that we offer Fiji.

"I don't come in as someone who can provide the answers for the issues which the leaders will have to face. My job will be to control the process and help them find the space within which they can talk with each other and to see whether they can find common ground."

ENDS

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