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SUVA: The Fiji Sun today condemned threats by George Speight's rebels
over the composition of the cabinet line-up announced by interim
President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, saying the country cannot afford to "go
through hell" again.
But the two other national daily newspapers, the Murdoch-owned Fiji
Times and the government-owned Daily Post, were more cautious in their
response to the appointed interim cabinet list broadcast on Fiji
Television last night.
Two of Speight's key rebel colleagues and three Taukei Movement backers
and alleged coup conspirators were named in the interim government
expected to be sworn in today, along with two ministers in deposed Prime
Minister Mahendra Chaudhry's elected coalition government.
One Indo-Fijian was named among the 32 ministers and associate ministers
- George Shiu Raj, who was elected as an independent MP in Rakiraki but
aligned himself to the indigenous SVT Party founded by former Fiji coup
leader Sitiveni Rabuka. The SVT was defeated in the 1999 election and
was the only opposition party in the ousted Parliament.
Laisenia Qarase, appointed interim prime minister by the military regime
which has now relinquished executive authority, has been retained as
head of government along with his deputy, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, a
former military commander.
Former Opposition Leader Ratu Inoke Kubuabola was named as Works and
Energy Minister.
Apisai Tora, leader of the Taukei Movement, which led the period of
destabilisation leading up to the insurrection, was was offered the
Agriculture, Fisheries, Forests and ALTA Minister portfolio, and another
Taukei supporter, Adi Finau Tabaukaucoro, was named Assistant Minister
in the Prime Minister's Office.
Ratu Tu'akitau Coakanauto, who led the rebel faction of the Fijian
Association Party, was given the Local Government, Housing and
Environment portfolio.
The Fiji Times reported that the total salary bill for the
administration would cost the country $3.5 million over its two-year
term - "the biggest salary bill in the history of Fiji's cabinet if they
followed the current wage guidelines".
Taxpayers would be paying $1,844,654 for a year's salary - $337,682 more
than Chaudhry's cabinet, and more than $500,000 more than that paid out
annually for Rabuka's line-up.
Questioning the appointment of Speight's deputy, Ratu Timoci Silatolu
(Assistant Minister for Health), and Simione Kaitani (Assistant Minister
for Regional Development and Multiethnic Affairs), the Fiji Sun
highlighted the rebel threats and Silatolu's statement that
"sacrifices" would be needed in the choice of ministers in the interim
government.
"Now is this the setting of a new beginning for this country?" the
Fiji
Sun asked.
"We cannot forget the fact that the threat of international sanctions
remain.
"These threats will be realised with the inclusion of rebel members in
the interim government.
"Are we prepared to accept that?
"Can this country afford to go through hell again?
"The rebels are demanding inclusion in the government. Even to the
extent that they are prepared to allow this country to continue to head
towards economic ruin, and political isolation."
Concluding with a direct appeal to Speight, the Fiji Sun's editorial
said: "George, there are more than 5000 unemployed people on the
streets. More are expected to join that number in the event of an
international sanction.
"In the end, George, you are the man!
"Can you take care of the indigenous people?
"Do you really care for them?"
The Fiji Times said the President had "raised a lot of eyebrows"
by
announcing a "bloated and racially weighted" interim cabinet.
"First, the inclusion of George Speight sympathisers in the line-up is
wrong. There should be no place for them in the interim government.
"Second, at a time when every practical measure is needed to cut and
control public expenditure, he burdens the taxpayer with a colossal
salary bill...
"Third, out of 32 appointments, there is only one Indian who may not
even sit in cabinet because he is an assistant minister. It is unfair to
have half the population under-represented."
The Daily Post was far more conciliatory, saying: "The destiny of Fiji
now rests in the hands of Ratu Iloilo and his [appointed] prime minister
Laisenia Qarase. Both are men of goodwill ...
"Let us all unite and help Ratu Iloilo and Mr Qarase rebuild our
country."
+++niuswire
Title -- 2843 FIJI: Fiji Sun slams rebel threats
Date -- 19 July 2000
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pasifik Nius
Source -- Pasifik Nius, USP, 19/7/00
Copyright -- USP Journalism
Status -- Unabridged
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