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Issue No: 822; 5 June 2001
The Constitution protects indigenous rights in Fiji, says elected Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry. Chaudhry's comments came in light of the call by the NFP's leader Jai Ram Reddy that Fiji's ethnic Indians should acknowledge indigenous rights in Fiji. The Constitution provides more than adequate protection of indigenous rights in the country. It, however, does not provide for the reservation of key legislative, judicial, and executive positions for ethnic Fijians. The NFP's call has been interpreted as an endorsement for the reservation of these positions for ethnic Fijians. The NFP has decided to endorse people who are non-ethnic Indians to key positions. Earlier it had publicly stated that an ethnic Fijian must be the Prime Minister, irrespective of the merits of the person. Meanwhile, it is estimated that 700 people attended the NFP
meeting on Sunday. The media had placed the figure between 1,600-2000. Media
estimates of another meeting have also been generating debate. One media outlet
estimated that 600 people attended the launching of Qarase's political party;
another put the number at 2000, while another put it at 3000. The role of media
is increasingly coming into question in projecting false images of political
party support amongst people. |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
