sourced from Fijilive.com - Commander Bainimarama, who took power as Interim Prime Minister after his December 6, 2007 coup, apparently was being flippant when he told the press there would be an election in March of 2009. He is reported to have said he was tired of the media asking the same question over and over again in relation to an elections date.

The Interim Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said Bainimarama spoke ‘out of context’ because of constant harassment by the media on the election date issue and that he did not seriously intend to have elections in March 2009.

When Fiji will hold elections is key to receiving foreign assistance from the European Union and the lifting of so-called ‘smart sanctions’ against the country. In April, the EU continued it’s assistance to Fiji

The December 6^th. take-over has been claimed to be a legitimate move under Presidential authority by Commander Bainimarama and his regime.   The coup took place without violence and with a fair degree of public support, however, support waned following numerous incidents of those who opposed the new order being questioned at the military barracks in Suva. Reports of the interrogations include tales of beatings, public humiliation and at least one death in an incident that is still before the courts.

However, the Commander’s flippancy in announcing a false election date may not serve well with foreign nations pressuring Fiji to go to the polls within three years.