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Issue No: 665; 9 April 2001
In a move which many in Fiji expected, the National Federation Party has turned the focus of its attack to organizations which have remained steadfast on their stand on democracy. Over the weekend, the NFP attacked the National Farmers Union and the Fiji Labour Party for "misleading the farmers" ass the Fiji Times put it. It also claimed that the NFU and the FLP positions were 'aggravating the situation of farmers". The fate of the farmers and the general population in Fiji is because of the continuing hold of power by an illegal regime. The regime's ALTA minister, Apisai Tora has gone around Fiji inciting landlords to enter into the properties of tenants and "do whatever they like to". Yet, since the Qarase regime was reappointed, the NFP has not only remained silent, but also has refused to comment when comments were sought by journalists. Even when asked by the Fiji Times over the weekend for comments on whether the Qarase regime should make changes to land laws, the NFP stated that it "would wait for the Attorney-General's advise before commenting". The FLP, the FA and other pro-democracy parties condemned the regime's moves to make laws without the Parliament. Even the Fiji Times condemned the regime's moves. The People's Coalition Government had initiated numerous policies which were for the interest of the landlords and the tenants. One such policy was to accept the demands of the landlords for return of leased land to them, and to help them financially in entering commercial agriculture. The tenants were also helped with the option of resettlement at state expense or a resettlement grant equivalent to the expenses of resettlement, which then was estimated by government valuers to be $28,000. The NFP had then bitterly condemned the government and demanded $50,000 as resettlement grant. On Sunday, the NFP accepted the Qarase' regime's $10,000 maximum offer of assistance without a whimper. It stated: "Although we are not happy with the $10,000 grant we feel it is better than getting nothing". The change in focus by the NFP was predicted as the NFP has been courting Laisenia Qarase and other ethnic Fijians who were involved with the political turmoil of 2000, for a grand Coalition to contest the next general election. It is believed that the pressure on the NFP to forge such a coalition comes from the party's big financiers, who are mostly ethnic Indian businessmen. Numerous ethnic Indian businessmen were alleged to have financed the terrorists last year. |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
