Rabuka says he is Head of State

Press, 2 October 1987, Page 1

Rabuka says he is Head of State

NZPA-AAP Suva The coup leader, Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, yesterday announced that he formally had revoked Fiji’s 1970 Constitution.

A decree read by Colonel Rabuka at a news conference in Suva said the Constitution had been “removed in its entirety.” He said he had not advised the Governor-General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, in advance because he no longer recognised the post of Governor-General.

Colonel Rabuka said, "I am the Head of State.”

He said he wished Fiji to remain in the Commonwealth as a republic, but if this was not possible, "so be it” He would declare a republic as soon as a new Constitution was ready.

Asked if this would be on October 10, the seventeenth anniversary of Fiji’s independence, he replied, “I hope so.”

Colonel Rabuka’s shock announcement represented a turn about from a statement made only hours earlier in which he said he had suspended plans to abrogate the Constitution after a meeting at Government House on Wednesday. At the meeting were the Gov-ernor-General and the leaders of the Coalition and Alliance parties, Dr Timoci Bavadra and Ratu Sir Kamlsese Mara.

The four had agreed to meet again on Monday, when they were to consider a proposal that could have removed the need to scrap the 1970 Constitution. The Chief Justice, Sir Timoci Tuivaga, told AAP that what Colonel Rabuka had done was illegal. “He has no power to do what he is doing,” he said. “As far as I and the judges of Fiji are concerned, Ratu Sir Penaia is still the GovernorGeneral and Head of State. “He will be Governor-General until something effectively is done to remove him — such as removing him from Government House.” Sir Timoci said that sooner or later, Colonel Rabuka must go to the Governor-General and give him notice that he must leave. Colonel Rabuka has vowed not to remove him physically from

Government House, a move he would hesitate to make for traditional Fijian reasons. Ratu Ganilau, who has the title of “Tui Cakau-elect,” Is Colonel Rabuka’s personal high chief — removing him could inflame many Fijians whose support Colonel Rabuka now claims.

Colonel Rabuka said Monday’s meeting could still take place although he admitted there was little likelihood of the others agreeing to his plans.

Colonel Rabuka said he did not expect the Army to maintain a visible presence in the streets. In his prepared statement, Colonel Rabuka said he expected some Indians would leave the country as a result of his actions. “I hope not very many,” he said.

“As far as I am concerned there is no reason for them to leave.” “I’m not a racist.”

He said he would set up a Council of Indian Affairs to look after the needs of the Indian people.

Colonel Rabuka claimed to have the support of indigenous Fijians. - - On Fiji’s continuing membership in the Commonwealth, he said, “It is my sincere wish and desire and hope that Fiji will be allowed to remain in the Commonwealth.

“We respect and honour Her Majesty the Queen. “But if our membership is revoked because we are trying to resolve our own problems in our own way, then, sadly, so be it” He rejected a suggestion he was now a military dictator. However, Army-controlled Radio Fiji described him as Head of the Military Government when his statement from the press conference was broadcast soon after the conference ended. Colonel Rabuka also confirmed when questioned that he was now Head of State.

The formal proclamation for the Republic of Fiji would be made with the proclamation of the new Constitution.