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Issue No: 736; 8 May 2001
The Qarase regime is continuing to use public funds for political purposes. Government vehicles, drivers, and security personnel are being used daily by Qarase and his band to campaign for the election scheduled in August. One of his ministers, vying for a seat in Bua in Vanua Levu, was last week caught in a major accident in the government vehicle he was travelling in for political meetings. The Lands Minister Mitieli Bulanauca had his new vehicle towed away by the Public Works Department without reporting the matter to the police. The use of office facilities, including phone, fax, and staff, for political purposes is continuing. Qarase himself has been using his office facilities for launching a political party. Qarase has announced that he is forming a political party called the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua" (People's United Party) which will be launched this month. He has also informed the media that 14 of his cabinet members are members of this party. The abuse of public funds has become so great that even the right wing SVT has condemned the abuse in strong terms and called for Qarase and those wanting to contest the election to resign from the Cabinet. Qarase's Office has responded that the Qarase team will not resign because there's nothing in the Constitution which requires "any Caretaker Minister standing in the Elections to resign". The Constitution has no provision for any caretaker minister. Meanwhile the Auditor-General has stated that he will investigate abuse of
public funds. But no concrete action has been taken by him so far. It is
understood that he will keep his eyes closed to the abuses until after the
election.
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
