Native Fijians back Council Of Chiefs

SUVA, Fiji (PINA Nius) — The chairman of a forum of indigenous Fijian parties says Fijians will not accept the Court of Appeal ruling that the 1997 constitution is still the law of the land. But they will wait for this week’s Great Council of Chiefs to decide what to do, he said.

Forum chairman Esira Rabuno, deputy leader of a faction of the Fijian Association Party, told Fiji’s Daily Post that the forum of major Fijian political parties also will meet this week.

“The court’s ruling is restricted to only legal issues,” he said. “With us Fijians we only recognize the Great Council of Chiefs.”

Regarding the Court of Appeal ruling that the 1997 constitution is still valid and the current interim government is therefore not legal, he said: “We Fijians feel that five foreigners cannot make practical decisions for our country and tell us how to run it. Fiji is our country and we can manage it.”

On the possible return of the Fiji Labour Party-led Peoples Coalition Government, headed by Fiji’s first ethnic Indian prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, and taken hostage by indigenous Fijian rebels and deposed following the May 19 coup last year, he said: “We will not also accept the deposed government.”

On the Great Council of Chiefs meeting planned for next week, he said: “The Council will have the last say …if not then the country will continue to have problems.”

The forum is made up of the Sososoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei, Veitokoni ni Lewanivanua Vakarisito (Christian Democratic Alliance), a faction of the Fijian Association Party, the Nationalist Party, Vanua Tako Lavo, Taukei Movement and some independent Fijian politicians.

Meanwhile, the deputy prime minister in the deposed government and leader of the other faction of the Fijian Association Party, Adi Kuini Speed, said:

“I will call on the interim administration to step aside and follow the law…. that is the right and most legitimate step to take.”

Adi Kuini said the interim administration should not use the Great Council of Chiefs as an excuse to legitimize their office.

In a statement, Mr. Chaudhry welcomed the acting president Ratu Josefa Iloilo’s assurances to restore constitutional rule following consultations with the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs).

Mr. Chaudhry said all five leaders of the parties in his coalition would meet with Ratu Josefa this week.

They will also seek a recall of Parliament before the end of Ratu Josefa’s acting term, which according to the court ruling is March 15.

Mr. Chaudhry urged if there were to be any changes to the status quo of May 18, 2000 that they be done within Parliament.

Mr. Chaudhry urged Ratu Josefa to recall Parliament at the “earliest possible convenience so that a government can be tested on the floor of the house.