Issue No: 862; 19 June 2001

Qarase made the statement at a meeting of his political party, the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua in Vatuqawa Suva at the weekend. He is reported to have said: "Even though [ethnic] Fijians make up 52% of the population, own 82% of the land and are the natives of Fiji, they are only guaranteed 23 seats". He stated further that the Constitution should be changed. He said that his party's main platform for the next election is the change in the Constitution and the ethnic Fijian Blueprint which provides for $30m inflow of funds exclusively for ethnic Fijian development.

Qarase's view has been that ethnic Indians should not be in decision-making positions in the country, with such positions being reserved exclusively for ethnic Fijians. Qarase has been pushing this ethnic supremacy agenda since usurping power.

The statements have been branded by the people of Fiji was racist. High Chief and leader of the Fijian Association Adi Kuini Speed has called the statements "mischievous and inaccurate".

She stated that ethnic Fijians had 23 reserved seats out of 71 while ethnic Indians had only 19 such seats. She also stated that ethnic Indians had only 30 members in the Parliament, which is less that their proportionate share of the population. In contrast, ethnic Fijians had 50% of the parliamentary membership. She also stated that 70% of the cabinet members in the People's Coalition Government were ethnic Fijians.

Speed also stated that Qarase's "claim that the 1997 Constitution takes away the rights of the indigenous Fijians is a downright lie intended to mislead the Fijian people in his grab for power". She said that Qarase "is deliberately stirring racial tension in his election campaign".