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SUVA: One of two indigenous deputy prime ministers in the ousted elected
Fiji people's coalition government has condemned the swearing in of the
new interim administration as an action outside the 1997 democratic
constitution.
Dr Tupeni Baba, one of the Chaudhry cabinet members held hostage for 56
days and who previously held the foreign affairs portfolio, said interim
President Ratu Josefa Iloilo's advisers had failed to consider
alternative options - including a government of national unity as
proposed by the coalition on July 20.
Only four of the 71 MPs elected under the 1997 multiracial constitution
were included in an interim cabinet which has no popular mandate.
But interim Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase urged former Prime Minister
Mahendra Chaudhry's coalition to support his administration sworn in by
the president yesterday.
He warned that any move to oppose his government would be dealt with
according to law.
"For them to set up a self-proclaimed government would be a direct
challenge to the executive authority of the president and the Great
Council of Chiefs as the appointing authority," he said.
"If they persist with it, they will be dealt with according to law."
Dr Baba said in a statement quoted by the Fiji Sun that it was "most
unfortunate" that the President's Office had failed to hold
consultations with the elected government about the viable alternative
political arrangement which would have been consistent with the 1997
constitution.
Under martial law on May 30, the military administration abrogated the
1997 constitution.
The former Chaudhry government caucus maintains that this act was
illegal and subsequent action by the interim government is
unconstitutional.
The former government is expected to file legal challenges.
"We are specially concerned that the interim administration which has
been set up [yesterday] is outside the framework of the 1997
constitution," Dr Baba said.
"No account has been taken of the international realities facing our
country, notably that the international community will not tolerate any
political configuration that flies in the face of universally accepted
standards of justice, democracy and equality."
He said the composition of the interim administration was
discriminatory.
"It effectively disenfranchises the Indo-Fijian community who comprise
around 44 per cent of the population. In effect it is an open invitation
to the international community to impose further sanctions against
Fiji," Dr Baba said.
He added that the new administration did not enjoy a mandate from the
people.
Qarase said people calling for the reinstatement of the 1997
constitution and the Chaudhry government were unrealistic.
"It is not merely enough to focus attention on the constitutional
democratic process," he said.
"We need to look deeper into the root causes of widespread Fijian
disaffection, brought into the open by dissatisfaction with certain
policies of the last government."
On the appointment of George Shu Raj, the only Indo-Fijian in the
line-up, as an assistant minister, Qarase told the Fiji Times that he
did his best to invite other members of the Indo-Fijian community.
"But fear for the safety of their families has been a real inhibiting
factor," he said.
"However, it [Raj's appointment] is a first step and I will continue to
consider this issue, as our country regains confidence."
Members of the deposed Chaudhry government majority sworn in yesterday
were Ratu Tevita Momoedonu, of the Fiji Labour Party; Ratu Tu'akitau
Cokanauto, of the Fijian Association Party; Mitieli Bulanauca, of the
Christian Democratic Alliance; and Marieta Rigamoto, an independent
Rotuman member.
Ratu Tevita briefly played a role as "prime minister" in May to enable
then President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to dismiss the captive
administration in controversial circumstances.
Ratu Tu'akitau was a rebel backbench member of the government and he
repeatedly tried to oust deputy prime minister Adi Kuini Speed as FAP
leader.
The interim administration also includes a number of nationalists,
including Taukei Movement activists Apisai Tora and Adi Finau
Tabakaucoro, and 1987 coup conspirator Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
Ratu Tevita, who retains the labour portfolio, told the Fiji Times rebel
leader George Speight should be "behind bars for the rest of his life".
Speight and many of his supporters who held the country to ransom from
May 19 have been in military custody since Thursday pending
investigations into alleged treason.
Radio Fiji today reported that Speight and at least six of his
ringleaders had been shipped to Nukulau island, about 15km off the Suva
coast, before dawn today. Nukulau and neighbouring Makuluva island were
gazetted as a temporary "prison zone".
"I think [Speight] deserves to be [in jail] for life for what he has
caused this country. He is guilty of treason," Ratu Tevita said.
He added that he thought agitation in the country would "fizzle out"
with Speight and his supporters behind bars.
Ratu Tevita denied that his decision to join the interim cabinet was a
betrayal of the people's coalition.
"I believe the invitation was made on a personal basis and when it was
relayed to me [on Wednesday night], I said, 'Okay, I think I should
participate in this rehabilitation exercise'," he said.
Three more of Speight's ringleaders were arrested yesterday - Ratu
Timoci Silatolu, former Fiji Intelligence Service leader Colonel
Metuisela Mua and Ratu Epeli Kanaimawi.
A military spokesperson, Major Howard Politini, said security forces
would arrest everybody who contributed to threats on the life of
President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, adding that police had a list of suspects.
Fiji newspapers today welcomed the swearing in of the new
administration.
"Thank God! Finally! A new interim government is now in place. Yesterday
was probably one of the brightest days in a series of gloomy ones
emanating from the events of May 19," the Fiji Sun said.
"This country has not bowed down to intimidation, and blackmail. If
there is a time that this country needs support, then it is now. At a
time when it is headed for economic and political ruin."
The Fiji Times called on the cabinet to serve only the national
interest.
"On his part, Mr Qarase should remove immediately anyone who acts
irresponsibly.
"As he himself stated two days ago, the interim administration does not
enjoy the mandate of the people to govern. As such, there should be
greater emphasis on openness, integrity, accountability and
accessibility."
The interim cabinet:
Laisenia Qarase - Prime Minister and Minister for National
Reconciliation
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Fijian
Affairs
Alipate Qetaki - Attorney General and Minister for Justice
Ratu Jone Kubuabola - Minister for Finance and National Planning
Ratu Talemo Ratakele - Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration
Ro Teimumu Kepa - Minister for Women, Culture and Social Welfare
Ratu Inoke Kubuabola - Minister for Information and Communication
Ratu Tevita Momoedonu - Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations
Tomasi Vuetilovoni - Minister for Commerce, Business Development and
Investment
Nelson Delailomaloma - Minister for Education
Joketani Cokanasiga - Minister for Works and Energy
Jone Koroitamana - Minister for Tourism and Transport
Hector Hatch - Minister for Public Enterprises and Public Sector Reform
Keni Dakuidreketi - Minister for Youth, Employment Opportunities and
Sport
Kaliopate Tavola - Minister for Foreign Affairs, External Trade and
Sugar
Pita Nacuva - Minister for Health
Ratu Tu'akitau Cokanauto - Minister for Local Government, Housing and
Environment
Apisai Tora - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Forests and ALTA,
Ratu
Inoke Takiveikata - Minister for Regional Development and Multi-Ethnic
Affairs
Mitieli Bulanauca - Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources
Assistant ministers:
Ratu Suliano Matanitobua - Assitant minister, Ministry of Fijian Affairs
Adi Finau Tabakaucoro - Assistant minister, Prime Minister's Office - to
assist with the preparation of a ten-year plan for Fijian and Rotuman
development
Adi Senimili Dyer - Assistant Minister, Ministry of Women, Culture and
Social Welfare - to assist with Women and Social Welfare
Bernadette Rounds-Ganilau - Assistant Minister, Ministry of Women,
Culture
and Social Welfare - to assist with Women and Social Welfare
Marieta Rigamoto - Assistant Minister, Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries
and Forests - to assist with Agriculture and Fisheries. she is also to
assist the Prime Minister in the latter's responsibility for Rotuma
Ratu Semi Seruvakula - Assistant Minister, Ministry of Education
Ratu Kolinio Rokotuinaceva - Assistant Minister, Ministry of Home
Affairs
and Immigration - to look after Police
George Shiu Raj - Assistant Minister, Ministry of Regional Development
and
Multi-Ethnic Affairs - to assist with regular liaison with Rural
District
and services to rural settlement and communities.
+++niuswire
Title -- 2873 FIJI: Baba says new interim government 'unconstitutional'
Date -- 29 July 2000
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pasifik Nius
Source -- Pasifik Nius, 29/7/00
Copyright -- USP Journalism
Status -- Unabridged
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