Australia slapped a range of sanctions against Fiji within an hour of the
announcement of a new interim government.
Cuts in joint defence operations, including ship and troop visits,
favourable garment and other import agreements to be reviewed, banning
of sporting team (but Olympic representation is allowed) and a cut in aid
were announced by the federal government.
Humanitarian aid will continue, says Foreign Minister Alexander
Downer.
The Ambassador, Susan Boyd, is being "temporarily recalled", Radio
Fiji
reported.
The last Australian sanctions imposed on Fiji was by the unions.
NZ concerned
The New Zealand reaction to the interim government line-up was quick
and cutting.
The lone Indo-Fijian, George Shiu Raj, in the new Cabinet is
representative of the Indo-Fijian community, says NZ High
Commissioner Tia Barrett.
The presence of coup makers, including coup leader George Speight's
deputy, Ratu Timoci Silatolu, in the interim Cabinet was a matter of grave
concern, says Barrett.
A politician who plotted the overthrow the Mahendra Chaudhry
government and several other supporters of rebel leader George Speight
are in the new cabinet line-up named today by interim president, Ratu
Josefa Ilioilo.
Ratu Timoci Silatolu is the Assistant Health minister in the 20-member
cabinet headed by interim prime minister Laisenia Qarase. Eleven
assistant ministers were also named.
Silatolu, the former Fijian Association Party backbencher, was involved in
the conspiracy against the People's Coalition Government and planned
the May 19 takeover with rebel leader George Speight.
Several hardline Fijian nationalists and others who supported the rebels
are in the line-up as well as two members of the Chaudhry government.
Ratu Tevita Momoedonu, the former Labour minister, has been give the
same portfolio he held under Chaudhry, as has Marieta Rigamoto, the
Assistant Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries minister.
The sole Indo-Fijian in the line-up is Geoege Shiu Raj, the Assistant
Regional Affairs and Multi-ethnic Affairs minister. Raj was a member of
the opposition in the last parliament.
Despite a warning from the international community of punitive trade
sanctions against Fiji if Speight supporters were included in the line-up,
the likes of Apisai Tora are in the team.
Tora, who holds the Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries porfolio,
organised and led the protest marchers against the former government.
Other Speight supporters include Minister for Regional Development
and Multi-ethnic Affairs, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, Assistant Minister to
the prime minister, Adi Finau Tabakaucoro, and Regional Development and Multi-ethnic
Affairs minister (to assist
with services to Maritime provinces) Simione Kaitani.
Former Opposition leader Inoke Kubuabola has been given the Works and Energy
portfolio which he held under
the Sitiveni Rabuka government.
FAP leader, Ratu Tu'akitau Cokanauto is the Local Government Housing and Environment
minister. His elder
brother, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau is the deputy Prime Minister.
The full line-up:
Prime Minister - Laisenia Qarase
Deputy PM and Minister for Fijian Affairs - Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
AG and Minister for Justice - Alipate Qetaki
Finance and National Planning- Ratu Jone Kubuabola
Foreign Affairs and External Trade - Kaliopate Tavola
Commerce, Business Development and Investment - Tom Vuetilovoni
Public Enterprise and Public Sector Reform - Hector Hatch
Home Affairs and Immigration - Ratu Talemo Ratakele
Information and Communications - Joketani Cokanasiga
Agriculture, Fisheries, Forests and ALTA - Apisai Tora
Tourism and Transport - Jone Koroitamana
Lands and Mineral Resources - Mitieli Bulanauca
Works and Energy - Ratu Inoke Kubuabola
Regional Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs - Ratu Inoke Takiveikata
Lands and Mineral Resources - Mitieli Bulanauca (Bua)
Labour and Industrial Relations - Ratu Tevita Momoedonu
Education - Nelson Delailomaloma
Housing, Local Government and Environment - Ratu Tuakitau Cokanauto
Youth, Employment Opportunities and Sports - Keni Dakuidreketi
Health - Pita Nacuva
Women, Culture and Social Welfare - Ro Teimumu Kepa
There are 11 assistant ministers:
Ministry of Women, Culture & Social Welfare - Bernadette Rounds Ganilau
Fijian Affairs - Ratu Suliano Matanitobua
PM's Office - Adi Finau Tabakaucoro
Women, Culture and Social Welfare - Adi Seinimili Dyer
Agriculture and Fisheries - Marieta Rigamoto
ALTA and Forests - Eroni Lewaqai
Information and Communications - Ratu Semi Seruvakula
Home Affairs and Immigration - Ratu Kolonio Rokotuinaceva
Regional Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs - George Shiu Raj
Health - Ratu Timoci Silatolu
Maritime Provinces - Simione Kaitani
Education - Peceli Lewaravu
Coup leader George Speight has rejected the new interim government
named today by new President Ratu Josefa Iloilo.
Speight told Fiji TV new Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase had shown him
the list at a meeting yesterday with Iloilo.
"I told him I had problems with the lineup as some of those named had
not expressed support for the Fijian cause," Speight said.
"It seems like the government has been named more to satisfy the
international community, with Fijian issues relegated to a minor item."
Speight went on to say that he felt betrayed and disappointed with today's
announcement of the Cabinet, calling the announcement "quite
mischievous".
The announcement "was trying to portray that there is some kind of
agreement and unity among the parties. This is absolutely not true and
irresponsible," Speight said on Radio Fiji.
He lashed out, saying the announcement was a tactic similar to what the
military had used in annnouncing their interim civilian government.
The list was to be first discussed and then finalised, he said, adding that
he will be meeting with newly appointed President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo
soon on the issue.
The military reports a shortfall of one M-16 rifle, 11 pistols and five
other weapons from the Parliamentary Complex collection.
The rebel security forces were still trying to locate the 17 missing
weapons, military spokesman, Major Howard Politini said.
Politini went on to say the arms held by the Monasavu rebels would be
returned to the army headquarters within 48 hours.
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