Fiji Governor-General rejects republic

Press, 8 October 1987, Page 4

Fiji Governor-General rejects republic

PETER BALE

of Reuters

NZPA-Revter Suva Fiji’s GovernorGeneral has refused to recognise the declaration of a republic by the coup leader Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka and said he remained the only source of executive authority. In a broadcast on Army-controlled Radio Fiji just after midnight yesterday, Colonel; Rabuka proclaimed the Republic of Fiji - ending the South Pacific State’s 113-year bond with the British Crown. “As from this day forth Fiji is declared a republic,” the Army comman-

der, aged 3R said. Western diplomats said the .: Governor-General, Ratu Sir Peaaia Gaailau, had advised them he did not Intend to recognise the legitimacy of the decree and still regarded himself as the only source of executive authority. Ratu Ganllau is the representative of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth who is also Fiji’s Head of State. Colonel Rabuka later told a news conference the decision to proclaim Fiji a republic had been taken on “very pragmatic grounds” and because the Queen .could not help solve the consti-

■ . . ■ ed the but had “ plr *‘ “Many have breathed a sigh of relief that lasting Colonel Rabuka said, adding that he had. received messages of support from both Fijians and Indian*. . . He was convinced continued talks with Rate Ganllau would beuseless, but still hoped the Governor-General would take a senior post in the republic. Colonel Rabuka said he himself would not be president. • The Australian and

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