Three decrees have been gazetted and published by the Interim Military Government led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
Laws will be made by the IMG in the form of decrees and is made when it is
signed by the head of the Interim Military Government which in this case is
Commodore Bainimarama. According
to our legal source, the new government has styled itself as the 'The Interim
Military Government' which may include a mixture of military personnel and civilians.
Our expert says the IMG's
legislative action have been to scrap the 1997 Constitution but otherwise to
try maintain a 'business as usual' approach to existing institutions and laws.
This means that the courts and all other
laws other than the Constitution will remain.
However, it is understood that it would be a personal decision for each individual
judge, magistrate, or public office holder whether he or she is prepared to
continue in his or her post. Our
legal source also says the business of Government previously carried out by
ministers will now be carried out by Commodore Bainimarama and his delegates
or advisers (if and /or when they
are named).
Our legal expert says whether or not the decrees have legal effect must be
determined according to the legal doctrines of necessity and effectiveness.
Our legal expert says in a nut shell, the
decrees will eventually be recognised as legal if people of Fiji and the various
arms of Government recognise and obey them. The three decrees are: #1 Fiji Constitution
Amendment Act 1997
Revocation Decree 2000; #2 Existing Laws Decree 2000 and # 3 Interim Military
Government and Finance Decree 2000.
This according to Speight was against what was discussed between him and the
military last night. Speight told a media conference today the four were arrested
this morning at the height of the
curfew imposed last night. He alleged that Jo Nata, Peceli Vuniwa, Ratu Meli
Loki and Simione Kaitani were beaten up resulting in one of them admitted at
CWM hospital. However Speight
did not specify who was admitted. Police have confirmed they have detained Speight's
men.
Meanwhile there is still no word in regards to the hostages who continue to
be held at gun point by Speight and his group. Military information officer,
Ratu Eroni Volavola says negotiations
are underway between Speight and the army.
The military curfew that was imposed from Monday evening, 29th May, 2000 will
now be lifted from 7am today until 8pm. This is done to allow the general public
to resume with normal
business.
Attempted civilian coup leader, George Speight and his group have been approached by the Fiji Military Forces regarding the military's take over of the country.
Speight's advisor, Jo Nata says the army delegation will meet them again later today to discuss the composition of the military government.
Nata also revealed that former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry and his government
members who are currently hostages at the parliament complex will be released
soon. Nata says only a
few details need to be clarified regarding their objectives of the attempted
coup by George Speight and his group.
Nata says Speight and his group are happy with a military government to run
the country and Army Commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama assuming executive
authority of the country
and declaring martial law. He says it is the best way out of the current impasse
because the Great Council of Chiefs were not able to resolve the matter.
This text may have been edited to protect the writer.
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