Former P.M. on way back?
NZPA-AAP Suva The former Prime Minister of Fiji, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, was believed to have returned to Suva yesterday from an international conference he was attending at the Fijian resort 125 km west of Suva. Ratu Mara has issued no formal statement since his Government was defeated at last month’s election.
It was not known if he would be invited to join the interim Council of Ministers to be named by Colonel Rabuka. The Colonel told reporters yesterday he had not consulted Ratu Mara in advance of his action. Ratu Mara’s silence during protests and demonstrations among
some of his Fijian people about the Indian majority in the new coalition Government had disturbed many Fijians, political observers said.
He did not take part in the boycott by 19 of the 24 opposition Alliance Party members of Parliament at last Friday’s swearing-in ceremony. Many observers believe a statement from Ratu Mara would have quietened the protesters as he is a much-admired and revered Fijian chief.
Informed sources last evening said that Ratu Mara played golf last Sunday with the leader of yesterday’s coup. Two other men played with them at the Pacific Harbour course, the sources said, but they were not identified.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19870515.2.22.5
Bibliographic details
Press, 15 May 1987, Page 3
Word Count
207Former P.M. on way back? Press, 15 May 1987, Page 3
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.