WELLINGTON, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully was satisfied with the Commonwealth's decision to give Fiji a month to commit to holding elections next year, saying the deadline was a "clear ultimatum".

    But he added that he was not optimistic the Fiji government will have a quick change of heart, Radio New Zealand reported on Saturday.

    The Commonwealth has stopped short of suspending Fiji at a meeting overnight in London, but has reaffirmed an ultimatum to the country's military rulers to restore democracy.

    After almost seven hours of talks on Friday, a Commonwealth ministerial group - which includes New Zealand - issued a communique that threatened Fiji with full suspension from all parts of the Commonwealth.

    Fiji is already suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth.

    The ministers have given Fiji a deadline of Sept. 1 to commit to elections in October 2010.

    Full suspension from the Commonwealth would mean that Fiji athletes would not be able to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi next year

    The elected government in Fiji was overthrown by the military in December 2006. It was the fourth coup there since 1987.