East Timor to attend ACP Summit in Fiji

East Timor to attend ACP Summit in Fiji

Agence France-Presse, Suva

The world's newest nation, East Timor, will participate in next week's African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) summit here with a delegation led by its former freedom fighter president, Xanana Gusmao, confirmed to attend, organizers said.

South African's President Thabo Mbeki and another 500 delegates have also been confirmed as participants by the ACP Summit secretariat.

Preparations are reportedly "coming along fine" with fortnightly meetings of the organizing committee. The ACP Summit secretariat is expecting 1,000 delegates, and apart from having to secure more furniture, the Sheraton Resort host is reportedly on track.

Twenty companies have confirmed participation for a trade show to provide delegates from the African and Caribbean regions exposure to all that is available from the Pacific region in terms of trade.

Live television coverage will allow Fiji islanders a glimpse of the ACP Summit during the week. Media facilitation is reportedly on-going with minimal hiccups.

Human rights activists, meanwhile, are vowing not to be stopped by a refusal by authorities to grant permits for protests.

The activists will organize a week-long protest during the summit despite the reported rejection by the government arm of the Western Division, Nadi's district officer.

The Non-Government Organization (NGO) Coalition on Human Rights has secured support from members of the public -- both business houses and residents, including the Nadi International Airport and the hotels of the ACP delegates.

Another potential blow to the upcoming summit is the possible industrial dispute between the Fiji Aviation Workers Association and the government, which is predicted to disrupt the summit program.

The summit proper begins from July 18, but the organization's council of ministers and other such preliminary discussions will be held from July 16.