By Kate Chapman of NZPA

Cairns, Australia Aug 5 NZPA - Niue's Premier has told the Fijian people they must take responsibility for the return of democracy in their country.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit in Cairns today Toke Tufukia Talagi, the outgoing chair of the forum, told delegates that while the forum was "deeply concerned" for the citizens of Fiji "they must also take responsibility".

The Fijian Government, led by self-appointed Prime Minister Voreqe Frank Bainimarama, had refused to meet requirements set by forum leaders and its 2014 deadline for elections was "unacceptable", Mr Talagi said.

The forum was willing to help when Fiji showed a willingness to return to democracy, he said.

The people of Fiji must "rise up" to challenge the undemocratic leadership in their troubled nation.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the incoming chair of the forum, also mentioned Fiji.

He said the people of Fiji deserved better than the current situation and the forum leaders would look at how they could jointly urge Fiji to return to democracy.

Forum secretary general Tuiloma Neroni Slade told the opening ceremony that working together on issues was "the Pacific way" and the "essence of the Pacific".

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has previously said he did not accept the 2014 election deadline Cdre Bainimarama has set for himself.

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) said on Friday it would suspend Fiji from the Commonwealth if it did not commit to hold elections by September 1, 2010.

Cdre Bainimarama told the FijiLive website his plan for elections in 2014 would see a new constitution that assured racial equality and would address the country's coup culture.

Cdre Bainimarama gained power following a coup on December 5, 2006.

"The Government's view is that the best way forward for a truly sustainable democratic Fiji is Fiji's strategic framework for change," he said.

Mr Key was not optimistic about Cdre Bainimarama's plan.

"He has no intentions of returning Fiji to a pathway of democracy any time soon.

"I think what you'll see from the leaders (at the forum meeting) in the next few days is a restatement of the position in Port Moresby (to suspend Fiji)," he told reporters.

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