Wellington (dpa) - New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told
Fiji military strongman Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, who seized power in
a bloodless coup 18 months ago, on Wednesday that he must honour his
promise to hold free elections by March next year.

Peters said it was "difficult to understand" comments Bainimarama
was reported to have made to a delegation from the European Union that
the election might be delayed so that he could change the electoral
system first.

He said Bainimamara, who has declared himself interim prime
minister, appeared willing to turn his back on commitments he made to
leaders of the Pacific Forum when they discussed the Fijian situation
in Tonga last year.

"His comments also raise basic legal and constitutional issues that
should concern everyone who wants to see a legitimate government
restored in Fiji," Peters said.

"The interim government came to power after a coup, and it is
impossible to see how it can implement significant electoral or
constitutional changes, given such changes must be adopted by a
legitimate parliament.

"It is therefore hard to see how the kind of changes the Commodore
is talking about could come about by anything other than extra-legal
means."

The EU, New Zealand and Australia imposed sanctions on Fiji
following the coup in December 2006 and threatened to withhold aid from
the Pacific island state until democracy was restored. (dpa)