Chances of Fiji’s becoming a republic increase

Press, 26 June 1987, Page 9

Chances of Fiji’s becoming a republic increase

NZPA special correspondent Suva The chances of Fiji’s becoming a republic are increasing every day as the Governor-GeheraL Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, tries to bring political adversaries; together to solve the country’s constitutional crisis. An informed source told the NZPA that “scenarios are being painted” to find all possible alternatives that would take Fiji back to parliamentary democracy.

The source said turning Fiji into a republic was how more possible than ever because of the likelihood of a political stalemate being reached in negotiations with the different groups. “They are painting scenarios up there,” the source said, indicating the Royal Fiji Military Forces. It is clear in this multi-racial country of 700,000 people that the only solution to Fiji’s constitutional crisis would be one that would satisfy the Army and its commander, Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka. Colonel Rabuka, ousted the newly elected coalition Government in a bloodless coup on May 14, and later expressed satisfaction with the Governor ■ General’s

move to amend the Constitution to strengthen the rights of the ethnic Fijians.

He had warned, that an unsatisfactory solution which did not meet the aims of the coup could result in another military takeover.

Ratu Penaia said that amendments to the Constitution would have to be legalised by Parliament elected into office in" an uncontested election.

Parliament would then have to be dissolved and a new, fully contested General Election called under the new constitution.

This formula, while welcomed by many, has been rejected by the deposed Prime Minister, Dr Timoci Bavadra, and his ousted Government.

A coalition spokesman, a former Education Minister, Dr Tupeni Baba, called the Governor-Gen-eral’s proposal “ridiculous” and “laughable.” Stiff opposition provided by the coalition and the greater part of the Indian population had strengthened the likelihood of Fiji’s becoming a republic. That would also speed up moves to change the Constitution and wipe out challenges filed in court against the authority of the Governor-General to dissolve the last Parlia-

ment without the Prime Minister’s advice. ' The architect of Fiji’s present Constitution, the v former Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, said in an interview with Radio New Zealand that there were more republics than dominions in the Commonwealth. It seemed 'to suggest the pundits were beginning to think seriously of severing ties with the Crown and setting up a Republic in Fiji.

Meanwhile, democracy was a foreign concept and could not be used to govern Fiji, said a confi- ' dential document drawn up by the Governor-Gen-eral’s advisers. The ; ‘Wew < Zealand Herald” newspaper said that it had obtained a copy of the constitutional discussion document prepared in secret by a subcommittee of Fiji’s governing council of advisers chaired by the Governor-General.

“The document’s use is uncertain as 'the Gover-nor-General has said the Constitution would be reviewed in consultation by the public of Fiji by a special committee yet to be named,” the draft said. ■ It suggests the word “democracy” be deleted and Fiji should be described as a “sovereign State” or a “sovereign Fijian State” based on the lines of Fijian traditions and customs.