The military has denied that they will force sugar cane farmers to harvest
their cane.
However spokes-person, Lt Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini hopes good sense will
prevail during these trying times. He points out that choosing not harvest will
make it harder for Fiji's economy to recover after the current crisis. He said
," We know that there may be geniue reasons and feelings toward what is
happening. But we hope that good sense and responsibility will prevail. We need
put aside differences especially among unions, political affiliations and races.
We need to re-affirm our commitment to our country and its people in order to
lighten the load the economic burden that we have to carry at the end of all
this."
Meanwhile the Chairman of the Fiji Sugar Commission, Gerald Barrack says international
buyers are concerned about Fiji's ability to supply. He points out that to date,
the industry has rescheduled three cargos of sugar which were to be shipped
this month.
Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive, Grish Maharj has told FVN that
their councilors will meet with gang sidars and growers over the next two days
to determine how many farmers will harvest. He also revealed that the choice
of whether to harvest or not is a personal one and that the Sugar Cane Growers
Council can not force the issue.
Lt Colonel Tarakinikini also revealed that the military Government is continuing
to pay Mahendra Chaudry and his Government members.
" The policy of the military Government is that all ministers and office
holders who cannot perform their task during this crisis will continue to receive
their pay indefinitely until the crisis is over and than considerations will
be done in due respect to the situation ," said Lt. Colonel Tarakinikini.
Western chiefs believe the military should let the Great Council of Chiefs
negotiate for the release of the hostages.
Spokes-person, Ratu Osea Gavidi explains this was one the solutions discussed
at the Mocambo hotel meeting in Nadi today. He says, " The solution is
coming out loud and clear that the army should hand the negotiations back to
the Great Council of Chiefs who would than undertake to negotiate with George
Speight . Secondly what would happen to Fiji after the release of the hostages-
politically and traditionally. Thirdly , how the west is to take part in the
constitutional review . We have thought that maybe should we should set up a
committee to look at this from the west's point of view ."
However Ratu Osea did stress that this will be discussed further tomorrow.
On the issue of establishing a separate state for the West has not been ruled
out at this point in time and according to Ratu Osea , they are looking at its
feasibilty . He says," It has not been ruled out because there is quite
an overwhelming support for that idea. But on the other hand , there was a compromise
suggestion made that was to do with the Western Confederacy that would not necessarily
affect state and government matters."
The Western Chiefs meeting continues tomorrow in Nadi.
The Fiji Museum will be presented with the Olympic torch Fijian runner, Miriama
Tuisorisori Chambault carried in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
She was the sole representative invited from Fiji after Fiji's leg of the torch
relay was cancelled due to the current political situation.
The torch will be presented to the Museum on Friday morning.
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