Previously we checked in on bloggers offering their analysis of the possibility Fiji would be suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum. The shoe has now dropped. Fiji's government refused to schedule elections at the group's behest, breaking off much of its relations with the group. We’ll look at the outcome of Fiji’s suspension from the 16-nation from the regional block. The move, which came into effect midnight May 1, temporarily strips Fiji of full member privileges, including attendance of Forum meetings and events. The country will also no longer will benefit from new financial or technical assistance – other than aid toward the restoration of democracy. Fiji’s suspension marks the first time in its nearly four-decade history the Pacific Islands Forum has taken this step against a country. Yet Forum chair, Toke Talagi, Premier of Niue, said the suspension was particularly timely due to the “deterioration” of legal, political and human rights in the country. Fiji’s government called the suspension “regrettable.” The acting Prime Minister said the forum “has chosen to ignore the circumstances in Fiji” by forcing it to hold elections under a “racist” communal-based system (where Parliamentary seats are apportioned by race) that strips powers from politically moderate groups which attempt to attract voters across race/ethnic lines. In Raw Fiji News, contributor Jean D’Ark responds to the regime’s refusal to hold elections until 2014. DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS ARE NOT ABOUT ENDORSING A PARTICULAR ELECTORAL SYSTEM OR NOT. THEY ARE ABOUT DETERMINING WHAT THE PEOPLE THINK OF WHAT IS GOING ON? CONCEALED JUST BEHIND KHAIYUM’S STONEWALL OF EXTRA-PLANETARY PROPAGANDA IS THE CONCEITED ASSUMPTION THAT “WE KNOW BEST”. WELL – LET US SEE IF THE PEOPLE AGREE. OR ARE YOU AFRAID THAT THE PEOPLE WILL PUT TWO-AND-TWO TOGETHER, AND EQUATE FIJI’S CURRENT DIRE STRAITS WITH THE REGIME’S APPALLING DECISION-MAKING THAT PRECEDED IT? Fiji Girl argues Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is not out to progressively change Fiji to become a post-racial state; rather, he is engaged in a power play. No matter how ‘over much’ the Baini might protest, this is not about Fiji’s electoral system. It never has been. This Vore coup has always been about him escaping from being brought to Justice for his treatment of the CRW soldiers [who attempted a mutiny in November 2000 that was violently put down by soldiers]. People are not stupid. Our neighouring governments are not stupid. They see through Vore’s lies, and see him for the pathetic creature he is. Now that the Forum has suspended Fiji, the government can move forward with its promised reforms, says Kalougata in Fiji Board Exiles. Frank can implement the charter and new Constitution without all the foreign meddling and a few countries in the South Pacific who agreed to Fiji's suspension can look for other shipping and airline routes to serve their countries. NZ and OZ will be happy to serve them for a price. Now is the time to quietly and politely implement some new policies for Fiji. Jone says: Agreed! Australia and NZ are total hypocrits. If the standard is democracy, then Tonga and Samoa should also be expelled. This ruling is a joke! It shouldn’t be lost that the Forum Secretariat is located in Suva, Fiji’s capital. Real Jack argues Fiji should kick the regional body out. the best thing about arrogance is that the way to lever it is to challenge the ego – and thats whats been done to Canberra – and they've swallowed it hook line and sinker – now Fiji is free to do whatever it needs to do to implement these changes – the Forum is now irrelevant to what happens here – it has the option of taxing to the maximum the Forums activities here or simply kicking them out – now noone can say Fiji acted prematurely or irrationally by kicking out the Forum headquarters and its offices from here. One subtext of this story has been the ineffectiveness of Australia and New Zealand to influence events in Fiji. With Fiji now sidelined in the Forum, the regional body will certainly lose influence with the government while China and India have moved in and strengthened business ties with the country; even if that means for Fiji sometimes employing foreigners at the expense of locals while the economy is sinking. Fiji’s government said regardless of the suspension, bi-lateral agreements with other countries in the region remain alive and it will continue dialogue with other international partners. The Australian press, at least, reports that China does not want to be seen as a “protector” to the Fijian regime. This has been picked up by at least one blogger, Discombobulated Bubu. I was wondering why Voreqe has been strutting about like a peacock lately.