KEY POINTS:
Fiji's interim leader has "shattered promises" and made pledges to Pacific leaders he never intended to keep, says Prime Minister Helen Clark.
Fiji coup leader Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, who seized power in a bloodless coup in December 2006, has told Fiji Radio there will be no election next March.
He said the 2009 election timeline was unachievable because electoral reforms he wanted could not be done in time.
Commodore Bainimarama promised Pacific Islands Forum leaders last year there would be an election in March 2009. He now says that promise was made on the understanding the international community would be "flexible" if more time was needed.
The interim Government's initial plan was to have an election in 2010, he said, even though there were no plans at that point for electoral reforms.
Helen Clark said yesterday that the decision was concerning and showed Commodore Bainimarama never intended to have the elections before 2010. She said she always doubted the commitments.
"Unfortunately his broken promises have caught up with him."
- NZPA
