Fiji SUN (original) (raw)
Backbenchers support PM
Government backbenchers yesterday signed a deed of agreement to undertake their continuous support for the democratically-elected Government and the rule of law. And in the event some of them are forced to resign from their parliamentary positions, the backbenchers say they will deny responsibility for any such decisions.
This, said the backbenchers in a joint statement yesterday, comes in the wake of the military’s position to have the Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase resign. “It is clear to us that the PM will not resign, and we are supporting him and his democratically elected Government all the way,” they said.
“We are now telling the nation that we intend to honour the people who voted us in and we will not resign under any circumstances.” The Government, they said, was elected by the people and they would only bow out when the people removed them through the democratic process of their votes.
GCC calls for dialogue
The Great Council of Chiefs has called on the Army Commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to give the process of consultation a chance since he claims to have pure motives. Council chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini said history showed that the wellbeing and good governance of society required stakeholders’ consultation and not confrontation.
“Only in a consultative framework made possible by the awareness that all humankind are organs of the same body and that the oppression and silencing of economically powerless groups does not constitute ‘good governance’ can all aspects of the concern for human rights find legitimate and creative expression,” he said,
History, he said, had shown too clearly that the partisan agendas of interest groups which determined the success or otherwise of a parliamentary democracy is themselves the principal enemies of the interests they purport to serve.
“The GCC once again pleads for calm and good sense and a return to negotiations under the rule of law,” said Ratu Ovini. Success rate at conflict resolution, he said, shows clearly that true consultation requires honest communication.
Media denounce takeover
The Fiji Media Council yesterday denounced the army's actions as illegal. Chairman Daryl Tarte, in a strongly worded statement, said the council and all the media of Fiji “condemned the Rabuka coups of 1987 and the subsequent closure of our media. It was outraged by the actions of Speight and his followers and the assaults on media organisations in 2000.
“It further denounces the illegal actions of the military in the strongest possible terms. Public reaction demonstrates clearly that the military has isolated itself by its conduct.” Mr Tarte said the industry members of the council would at all times champion the ideals of media freedom enshrined in the constitution's Bill of Rights.
"How many more times must the people of Fiji endure the pain and suffering of an illegal removal of a constitutionally-elected government?" said Mr Tarte. "How many more times must we suffer the shame of being branded by the overseas community as a pariah and failed state?” The council called on all leaders to observe the due process of law and “not bring further shame on our nation and poverty to our people”.
Police armoury takeover is illegal, says Driver
Fiji is not under martial law nor is the executive arm of government incapacitated or the judiciary in disarray. Acting Police Commissioner Moses Driver made the comment at a press conference where he stated the removal of police arms and ammunition by the military from the police armoury at the Police Tactical Response Unit in Nasinu and Nasova was unlawful and unnecessary.
Mr Driver said the decision to allow the soldiers to view the armoury was taken in good faith and in an open and transparent manner to show that the Fiji Police Force was not an armed threat to the commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. The police had always maintained that the weapons at the armoury were not of any direct threat or consequence to the far greater firepower kept by the military. “The police force is legally entitled to store and use arms,” said Mr Driver. He said it was fortunate that the removal of the arms and ammunition was carried out without any confrontation.
He thanked the men and women of the PTR for maintaining cool heads and following the directive given by Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes and himself in recent days, that they avoid confronting armed soldiers at any time.
Removal of ammunition unconstitutional, says Vosanibola
The removal of arms and ammunition by the military from the Police Tactical Response Unit at Nasinu and Nasova was unconstitutional. Home Affairs Minister Josefa Vosanibola said the military had no right to remove the weapons. “What they did was unconstitutional and they did not seek any authorisation,” said Mr Vosanibola.
He said the police would look into the matter in terms of an investigation into the unlawful removal of weapons. Mr Vosanibola said the decision to have Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase brought by helicopter from Naqali, Naitasiri to Suva was made by Mr Qarase.
Mr Qarase had to be transported by helicopter after the military put up a checkpoint around the Sawani area. More than ten armed soldiers put up a roadblock as Mr Qarase was attending the Naitasiri Provincial Council meeting yesterday. Acting Police Commissioner Moses Driver said because the removal of the weapons was unlawful an investigation would be launched. “There is no indication that this is a coup d’etat. The military was only disarming the police,” said Mr Driver. He said they might be disarmed but this would not stop them from carrying out investigations.