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Vice President Alik L. Alik to Attend the Special Leaders' Retreat in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): January 20, 2009 - Vice President Alik L. Alik is scheduled to depart Federated States of Micronesia to attend the Special Leaders' Retreat to be held at the Crowne Plaza in Port Moresby on January 27, 2009 to try to find a way forward on the political situation in Fiji. The Niue president Toke Tatagi, the current chair of the Pacific Island Forum, will chair the meeting.

The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' meeting will focus on the political situation in Fiji and also consider the recommendation of the Ministerial Contact Group. In particular, it will focus on the current political situation and positions being taken by the Interim Government in Fiji. It is not likely that elections will be held in March of this year, as promised by the Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama to the Forum Leaders in 2007.

The Government of PNG will bear the cost for return travel, hotel accommodation (at the meeting site, Crowne Plaza) and per diem for the attending leaders. Accommodation will also be provided by PNG to accompanying officials.

The Vice President will be accompanied by Kandhi Elieisar, Assistant Secretary for Asia- Pacific, Africa, and Multi-Lateral Affairs. They are expected to return to the FSM on February 02, 2009.