Newly appointed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase says he has received
threats to his life from unknown people after his name was announced
for the top post yesterday. However, Qarase says he has placed his trust
in the military and will risk his life to serve the country.
Making his first public statement a short while ago, Qarase echoed a
statement made yesterday by Head of State, Commodore Frank
Bainimarama. While acknowledging the hostage situation, Qarase
reiterated that the country has to move forward to avoid more hardships.
About 5000 people have already lost their jobs and many more have had
their pays slashed.
"We cannot allow the crisis to continue otherwise the economy will be
ruined and people will suffer further. If we control the crisis now we can
move quickly and recover. The worst outcome can be avoided if we move
now," he said
Qarase also acknowledged that neither he nor his Cabinet have the
mandate of the people to govern and added they accepted the positions
because they saw it "as a call of national duty". The PM said that
like the
rest of the country, he has been disturbed by the events of May 19th.
"It will be hard to forget and forgive (their actions). But we cannot
allow
the irresponsible action of a few to put the country and the economy
back. Everyone must help with the reconstruction."
Qarase also blasted the trade unions for calling international trade bans,
saying their actions resulted in more people losing jobs. Later on in his
statement, he acknowledged the efforts of the unions in negotiating the
lifting of the trade bans.
Again echoing Bainimarama’s earlier statements, Qarase said the release
of all hostages, surrender of all firearms and national security will be the
foremost priority of his administration.
They will also draw up the terms of reference for a new Constitution.
Commenting on the proposed Constitution, Qarase said it will take the wishes
and aspiration of the Fijians into
account but it won’t totally leave out other ethnic groups. "No Constitution
anywhere in the world is perfect," he
said. "We need a Constitution that will address the needs of Fijians and
also include the framework of living
together as one society."
The PM said Indians, who make up 44 per cent of the population, won’t
be left out in the cold when the new
Constitution is drawn up. "We all belong here. This is our country and
we have all contributed to its development.
No one will be defranchised."
SECURITY has been beefed up at Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's
residence at Moti Street in Suva.
According to the military, there has been reports of threats on Mr
Qarase's life but the public should be assured of his security.
Threat calls on Mr Qarase were made soon after he was named Prime
Minister by the Head of State Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama on
Monday.
Despite the calls the interim Prime Minister remained calm as usual
as he answered questions about the matter during his first press
conference as Prime Minister at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks
yesterday.
Mr Qarase said he accepted the appointment as Prime Minister not
for personal rewards or honour but because it was a call for national
duty.
"It is this time in our national life when everyone with the best
interests of our nation at heart, should come forward and assist with
the rehabilitation and recovery of our country for the benefit of all,"
Mr Qarase said.
He said he was grateful for the Head of State for his confidence and
trust in naming him to lead the civilian cabinet.
Being a simple man, Mr Qarase arrived at the Queen Elizabeth
Barrack in his personal vehicle with his wife Leba.
However, after the swearing in the two left in different vehicles with
Mr Qarase in the Prime Minister's official car.
The wives of interim ministers had a meeting yesterday and had vowed to rally
behind their husbands in their
efforts to bring back normalcy to the country.
Fiji's Daily Post
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