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14 AUGUST 2000 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fiji's deposed Prime Minister, Mahendra
Chaudhry has been warned by the Minister of Information, Ratu Inoke
Kubuabola to return home as his "unofficial talks with foreign leaders
lacked the support of the majority of the nation."
Ratu Inoke said Chaudhry should return home as he no longer has the
authority to speak for the nation.
He said the events of the May 19 have irrevocably revoked his Coalition
government and the mandate to govern has now been given to the Interim
government by the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo.
"What Chaudhry should do now is join hands with the Interim Government
in
pressing for the reforms in rehabilitating Fiji and implementing the
blueprint for indigenous Fijians," Ratu Inoke said.
Chaudhry is expected to meet with the Indian Prime Minister, Atal Bahari
Vajpayee next week on his way to England where he intends to meet officials
of the British government to seek legal advice.
Ratu Inoke said other governments must politely and firmly turn down
requests for the imposition of sanctions made by the former coalition
government leader...PNS (ENDS)
SUVA: Fiji's Citizens Constitutional Forum has called for an
investigation into interim Information Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola's
alleged role in the May putsch.
In a statement by the forum's executive director, Rev Akuila Yabaki
highlighted Ratu Inoke's role in the 1987 coups and his close links with
the Taukei Movement which mounted the destabilisation campaign leading
to rebel frontman George Speight's hostage-taking in Parliament on May 19.
The 16-nation Pacific Forum on Friday condemned the use of force to
overthrow constitutionally-elected governments and hailed the move by
Fiji authorities to charge the coup leaders with treason.
In a fullpage interview with the Fiji Times today, Rev Yabaki defended
the 1997 multiracial constitution and explained the role of the citizens
forum in education and seeking constitutional solutions to the crisis.
Asked about a statement by interim Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's
administration claiming the forum was of "no use", Rev Yabaki said
the
administration was "not constitutional itself so it has no basis on
which it stands".
"It's based on the Muanikau Accord, which is not a respectable accord
of
moving in to the future, because the discussion began when the hostages
were not freed and that's a very unhealthy way of talking about peace
and reconciliation in the country.
"That accord has failed because arms have still not been returned, and
it's unfortunate some of the people who were part of the crisis, who
have been named publicly, are in the government.
"They should not be freed from the probe that is to be undertaken.
"They even have a spokesman who is a perilous spokesman - it does not
help their cause to have a spokesman like Ratu Inoke Kubuabola because
he himself was a participant in what has happened in the crisis."
In the statement by the citizens forum, Rev Yabaki said: "The Taukei
Movement in opposition to the deposed goverment knows Ratu Inoke as one
of the leaders who initiated the destabilisation activities."
"His attack on smart sanctions is understandable as he himself could be
listed [on the banned blacklists]."
Rev Yabaki said the Qarase administration would invite problems by
including Ratu Inoke as Information Minister.
He also called for the removal of Ratu Inoke from government as the
minister's stand was inconsistent with his previous support for the 1997
constitution.
News media reporting Rev Yabaki's comments were unable to get Ratu
Inoke's response.
In other developments:
* The Fiji Times reported that rebels on the run from security forces
continued to change their hideouts in the rugged interior of Viti Levu
island.
The rebels - deserting members of the military Counter-Revolutionary
Warfare Unit and escaped convicts - are wanted for the murder of a
policeman and a soldier last week.
* The military will not allow the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) to
resume operations at Monasavu after the $52 million deal with landowners
until all weapons have been returned and the dam area is cleared of
possible explosives.
+++niuswire
Title -- 2898 FIJI: Citizens forum calls for coup inquiry
Date -- 14 August 2000
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pasifik Nius
Source -- PN, 14/8/00
Copyright -- PN
Status -- Unabridged
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