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Issue No: 694; 23 April 2001
The Qarase regime has planned another contempt of court. This time the regime says that it will get the President to appoint a "new" Constitution Review Commission comprising most of the members of the "old" CRC. The High Court has ordered that the CRC stop meeting and that its members not be paid. A member of the CRC, Apenisa Kurusiqila died earlier this year. Another members Fred Achari resigned a month ago claiming illegality and racism. The regime's announcement came through its Attorney-General Alipate Qetaki. Qetaki is quoted in the newspapers as saying: "In am not in a position to release the names of the new commissioners but the old commission has been dismissed by the President and a new one will be appointed early this week". In March the regime had played a similar game when it resigned following the Fiji Court of Appeal decision, but only to be reappointed within a day. The reappointment has been challenged in the High Court by the Citizens Constitutional Forum and some members of Parliament. Such blatant disregard for law has become a major concern for the people of Fiji. Many people have expressed shock at the decisions of the regime which violate the law and court orders. It is known that the regime has decided to form a political party of its own. It is using its Blueprint as its manifesto. The Blueprint says that the Constitution needs to be reviewed to ensure ethnic Fijian political supremacy in the nation. The plan to re-gazette the CRC is intended to woo the right wing ethnic Fijians to the new political party. The intention for the restart of the CRC work was made known by Ratu Josefa Iloilo in his address to the nation when he was sworn in. The address was drafted in the Prime Minister's office by officials. Meanwhile the Great Council of Chiefs meets within the fortnight. It is understood that the illegal actions which the President's Office has taken so far will be discussed at the meeting. One analyst claims that it is likely that Ratu Josefa may be asked to step down for bringing disrepute to the Office of the President, and to the Great Council of Chiefs for nominating him and entrusting him with decisions on the future of the nation. In another move, the Citizen's Constitutional Forum has stated that it will issue a legal challenge to the regime if it establishes a new Constitutional Review Commission. The regime has responded by directing that the CCF be reregistered as a charitable trust. |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
