Vice-Regal statement

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 3

Vice-Regal statement

NZPA-Reuter Suva The full text of a statement issued by the office of the Fijian GovernorGeneral, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, broadcast to the nation yesterday by Radio Fiji, is.—

The Governor-General met with LieutenantColonel Rabuka this morning at 0830 at Government House and explained to him that it was constitutionally impossible to swear in the council of ministers in view of the illegality of the military government. In view of his reconsideration of this aspect of the current situation, he therefore would not be swearing in the council of ministers as announced yesterday. The Governor-General has obtained the advice of the Chief Justice on the legal options open to him. Having considered the various options, the Gov-ernor-General has decided that in order to bring the present crisis to the speediest possible solution consistent with

the principles of the Constitution, he would dissolve Parliament and set in train the necessary procedures for fresh General Elections. In the meantime, the Governor-General will continue to exercise executive authority over Fiji pursuant to section 72 of the Constitution. Subsection two of that section of the Constitution empowers the GovernorGeneral to exercise those powers either directly or through officers subordinate to him. The Governor-General therefore proposes to appoint a council of advisers to assist him in the administration of the country until a General Election is held. A high priority of the council of advisers will be to inquire into the effi-

cacy and general acceptance of the 1970 Constitution and to suggest such modifications as may meet the expectations and assuage the fears of the people of Fiji. The Governor-General said that he had taken this step because he had become convinced that he was unable to restore the present Parliament and that it was his responsibility to take into account the practical realities of the situation and the social structure of Fiji. " The Governor-General has the prerogative of mercy and has taken the Chief Justice’s opinion on this matter. He has decided that in order to bring about national reconciliation and national healing that he will grant this prerogative of mercy to those implicated in the illegal seizure of power. He has taken this decision in accordance with his judgment that no useful purpose would be served by vindictiveness which might hinder the complete restoration of legitimacy. The Governor-General said he would be attending the Great Council of Chiefs and would explain the position to its memHe said that the people of Fiji should remain calm and go about life as usual while the process of a return to normalcy is being effected. This message has been endorsed by LieutenantColonel Rabuka. It will be repeated at 2.30 this afternoon and again at three o’clock.