Fiji 'may hold earlier elections'

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Fiji's military ruler has indicated that he might hold elections a year earlier than planned, to restore parliamentary democracy.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama said his Cabinet agreed "in principle" to hold elections by March 2009, revising a previous timetable of mid-2010.

His comments follow a report by the Pacific Islands Forum, which said it was possible to meet the earlier date.

Fiji's leaders have faced pressure since they launched a coup in December.

The small South Pacific country - which has seen four coups in two decades - has been hit by sanctions from the EU, US, New Zealand and Australia in the aftermath of the takeover.

There's enormous disparity between the things [Bainimarama's] administration says it stands for and what they actually do Michael GreenExpelled NZ diplomat

Cmdr Bainimarama said the international community now needed to help Fiji meet the March 2009 deadline for elections.

"If our economy continues on a downward spiral, how can Fiji be expected to return to parliamentary democracy sooner rather than later?" he said.

He asked that both New Zealand and Australia respect the island's sovereignty.

"What we need is for them not to interfere in our domestic affairs as we proceed along the road to parliamentary elections," he went on.

"We need financial and technical assistance, but not at the expense of our sovereignty."

'Watching closely'

Fiji's relations with New Zealand took a sharp downturn earlier this week, when Suva expelled Wellington's top diplomat Michael Green, accusing him of interfering in its domestic affairs.

Arriving back in New Zealand on Tuesday, Mr Green told reporters that he was not hopeful parliamentary democracy could be restored soon in Fiji.

FIJI TENSIONS TIMELINE 2000: Brief coup put down by army chief BainimaramaJuly 2005: Bainimarama warns he will topple government if it pardons jailed coup plottersMay 2006: PM Laisenia Qarase wins re-election31 Oct: Qarase tries - and fails - to replace BainimaramaNovember: Qarase says he will change law offering clemency to coup plotters - Bainimarama warns of coup5 Dec: Military declares coup <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6208980.stm">Fiji voices: Coup impact</a> <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6209620.stm">Fears for future</a> <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6209486.stm">History of coups</a>

"There's enormous disparity between the things [Bainimarama's] administration says it stands for - good governance, transparency, accountability - and what they actually do," he said.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters - who is currently considering tougher sanctions against Fiji following Mr Green's expulsion - also struck a cautious note over the new election timetable.

In a statement, he said New Zealand would be "watching closely" how Fiji goes about preparing for the elections.

His Australian counterpart, Alexander Downer, said Canberra was ready to give Fiji financial and technical help "provided there is a serious and demonstrated commitment by the Fiji authorities to hold elections in accordance with the timetable indicated".

Cmdr Bainimarama, Fiji's military leader, made himself prime minister and installed an interim government after leading the bloodless coup last December.

He said he was compelled to act as corruption and racism against Fiji's ethnic Indian minority was flourishing under Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his government.

However, the coup has faced opposition both at home and abroad, and the country is starting to feel the pinch of diplomatic and defence sanctions.