published 10 December 2000

The Fiji Labour Party has labelled as hypocritical a call by interim regime's leader Laisenia Qarase for the two major races in Fiji to reconcile.

In a statement issued today, People's Coalition Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry said Mr Qarase's statement was timed to coincide with the visit to Fiji of the Commonwealth envoy . Justice Pius Langa and a team from the US Carter for Democracy Assessment.

"It is a stage show with the regime here wanting to be seen as making the right noises so that it can gain some legitimacy in the eyes of the international community," Mr Chaudhry said.

Mr Qarase should come out clean and explain how reconciliation is possible when the Indian community is being marginalised, stripped off its political and civil rights in this country and subjected to blatant racial discrimination, he said.

How does Mr Qarase explain a stacked Constitutional Review Committee whose chairman has already condemned Indians to third class citizenship through his racist public comments?

"Mr Qarase's statement that it was not his government's intention to disenfranchise Indians or take away their fundamental rights, is an unmitigated lie. This is exactly what they are doing," Mr Chaudhry said.

Genuine reconciliation is only possible on the basis of equality for all citizens of Fiji. Unless they are prepared to do this, they can stop making hollow sanctimonious statements. You can't go on beating up a person and keep saying reconcile.

Mr Qarase should also stop lying on the land issue. Indians have never in any way been a threat to Fijian landownership or land rights.

Mr Chaudhry said there was nothing discriminatory about a $28,000 grant to displaced farmers allocated by the People's Coalition Government. A sum of $10,000 was also earmarked as assistance for incoming Fijian cane growers who were taking over productive farms from evicted Indian growers.

The People's Coalition Government was not going to stand by and see evicted farmers made destitutes after having contributed so much to the country, he said.

The Coalition's policies on land use was very pragmatic, designed to ensure the development of land to bring about positive benefits and boost income for landowners and Fijian people in rural areas.

Finally, Mr Qarase is the one that is effectively blocking the rule of law in this country. Why doesn't he talk about the adverse consequences of this on investor confidence and the country generally?

END
Mahendra P. Chaudhry,
Prime Minister, People's Coalition.
Suva
Fax: 380985.