Qarase says interim gov’t stays despite court ruling

Suva (Fiji’s Daily Post/PINA Nius Online) – Fiji’s interim Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase last night said his administration is not stepping down.

He said the government will appeal a ruling by Lautoka High Court Judge Anthony Gates that Fiji’s 1997 constitution is still valid and appointment of the interim government is illegal.

Fiji Military Forces commander Commodore Voreqe “Frank” Bainimara said while the military respects the court it is supporting Mr. Qarase’s administration pending the appeal.

“The decision is only the first step in the legal process,” Commodore Bainimarama said.

Mr. Qarase said: “The interim government will continue as the national government and legislative authority in Fiji. It is in effective control of the whole country.”

Mr. Qarase said it will continue with its priority tasks of:

• Securing the safety of citizens, and the maintenance of law and order throughout Fiji.

• Rehabilitating the economy.

• Enabling Fiji’s return to constitutional government and an elected parliament and government through a new constitution.

• Justice Gates in his ruling at Lautoka yesterday declared:

• The attempted coup of May 19 was unsuccessful.

• The appointment of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara as president is still valid.

• The revocation of the 1997 constitution by the military was illegal.

Both houses of parliament are still intact.

Justice Gates has also ordered Ratu Sir Kamisese appoint as soon as possible a prime minister from the members of the house of representatives.

This should be someone who in Ratu Sir Kamisese’s opinion has the confidence of the house, Justice Gates said.

Attorney general and Minister for Justice in the interim government Alipate Qetaki said Justice Gates did not follow “accepted procedure” in handling the case. He said the ruling is “declaratory only” and cannot be enforced in law.

Deposed Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, the country’s first ethnic Indian prime minister, said: “The Peoples Coalition urges the authorities to abide by the High Court ruling and to recall parliament so Fiji is back to democratic rule.”

Fiji Council of Trade Unions acting national secretary Diwan Shankar said the ruling should provide a means for political parties, the military, Great Council of Chiefs and other social-cultural organizations to end the serious disruption in the country since May 19.

He said Ratu Sir Kamisese should act in accordance with the judgment.