25 MAY 2000 SUVA (Pacnews) - The Fijian Great Council of Chiefs
meeting ended today on an uneasy note of sweeping changes to the
nation's political structure, leaving Indians in a minority situation.
The chiefly meeting which stretched from one to three days, hammering
out harsh demands and ironing out politically sensitive issues for
indigenous Fijians as a result of last Friday's coup of Mahendra
Chaudhry's Labour Coalition government who are still in captivity
tonight at Parliament House in the capital, Suva.
Sitiveni Rabuka, the mediator between the coup plotters and the
President of Fiji, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara - the sole bearer of
executive authority, said here at a press conference that the chiefs
had decided, contrary to earlier reports, to go along with the
president in establishing a caretaker government.
This means Fiji will come under the control and jurisdiction of a
temporary type of government which will comprise of people whom both
parties will agree on, although it is expected that President Mara
will have to agree on the choices in order to be able to run it
effectively.
Rabuka seemed embarrassed about what he had to say and dodged
questions which hit too close too home such as the tossing out of the
1997 Constitution of which he was an architect.
An awkward moment arose when one of the local Indian journalists
asked: "Are we no longer citizens of this country?" Rabuka was visibly
taken aback by the bluntness of the question.
Rabuka announced that the chiefs had also agreed to have self-styled
coup leader George Speight pardoned after a quasi court prosecution
which would probably take a while.
There was a confusing reponse from the mediator about the question of
Chaudhry and his government resigning from office to officially hand
over the reigns over power. Rabuka obviously uncomfortable by the
constant prodding of the press, admitted it would not be as simple as
was expected.
Although he did not say it, it seems the fate of the Chaudhry's
leadership and government was sealed late this afternoon in the
barracks of the nation's army, uncannily much like the plotting of the
first coup of 1987 which Rabuka then as soldier executed against
another Indian-dominated government.
Rabuka said he would not be involved in the running of the government
in any way but would remain to be chairman of the chiefs' council
which he has managed for the past few months.
Fiji's love-hate relationship with Indians has finally come out in the
open and the festering sore that has always been hidden under a veneer
of warm smiles and ebullient camaraderie is now finally official.
Coup leader Speight may not be entirely happy with today's deal but
there is hope that the two parties will agree in order that the 31
hostages, including the father and son Chaudhry and Rajendra who was
his private secretary, may be released without any harm.
Speight and his two partners, Ratu Timoci Silatolu and Ratu Rakuita
Vakalalabure, both young chiefs in their own right, have been holding
the hostages for a week now to ensure their demands are met. So far,
it seems both sides have to compromise to reach a settlement -
something that the threesome have been loathe to do.
By all accounts, the Great Council of Chiefs is the true executive
power of the nation. After today's announcements, there is no doubt
that the chiefs have resumed their traditional role in the political
and social order of the country. Previously a dormant group of elders
supported by the people and left largely to their own devices, the
chiefs have come back center-stage to reclaim what many Fijians see as
their right.
Rabuka also announced that part of the deal involves the writing on
stone of all important leadership roles to be given to Fijians and
Rotumans, the Polynesian island that is a part of the nation. This
means the President and his deputy, the Prime Minister, the Chief
Justice and both heads of the security forces - the police and army,
will be indigenous Fijians.
Judging by the points of agreement, the face of Fiji's government is
going to be predominantly Fijian with little or no mention of Indian
participation.
There were no assurances of law and order which may be the most
disconcerting outcome of the chiefly talks. Rabuka was unable to say
whether there had been any discussion or decision on that issue. He
was also unable to give a timeframe of the reality of it.
The Speight-led coup plotter have yet to say their piece but the group
has said enough in the past few days to scare a lot of people, enough
to bring the nation to a standstill.
ENDS.
PACNEWS Special Edition 25 May 2000 Page 1 (c) Copyright PIBA 2000
Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association, Private Mail Bag, GPO, Suva,
Fiji Islands Phone (679) 315 732, Fax (679) 315 379
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