Radio NZ correspondent, Jane Patterson radio podcast(MP3) covers the fact finding mission of the Forum Minister's contact group and the podcast includes quotes from Winston Peters and Laisenia Qarase.
Radio Australia's podcast of Pacific Beat, also comments on the results of the Forum contact group's visit.
Fiji TV news segment (video posted below)featured the final press conference of the contact group.
Kiwi blog posting titled "Fiji elections" also deliberated on the pledge for 2009 elections. Another New Zealand Blog: Whale Oil, whose latest posting discussed the comments of ousted P.M, Laisenia Qarase and the sad realities he faces.
The so called fact finding group eventually compiles a report for the South Pacific Forum meeting in Niue in August, which Fiji will be sharing the top of agenda with Climate change, according to a Radio Australia article.
Realistically, it is crystal clear that neither the Forum nor the Trans-Tasman neighbours would have any muscle to force the issue of elections in Fiji, besides the smart sanctions and more rhetoric.
Even with US State Secretary, Condoleeza Rice's upcoming visit to the region next week, will not make an iota of difference in the outcome, other than being seen as bragging rights to Winston Peters and Helen Clark's upcoming election campaign.
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