Bavadra wants Queen involved in constitutional moves

Press, 8 December 1988, Page 8

Bavadra wants Queen involved in constitutional moves

NZPA-AAP Suva Fiji’s deposed Prime Minister, Timoci Bavadra, has formally called for a multi-ethnic convention, involving the Queen, to formulate a new constitution for the post-coup republic.

The demand came in a verbal submission to a special committee set up by his political opponents in Fiji’s interim Government to gauge public opinion on a draft constitution to enshrine indigenous Fijian rights over ethnic Indians.

Reading from a prepared 25-page statement, Dr Bavadra described the draft as being undemocratic, racist and against the interests of most indigenous Fijians it purported to protect. Fiji was expelled automatically from the Commonwealth after declaring itself a republic following a second military takeover almost 15 months ago.

Despite this, the ousted leader maintained that under the country’s deed of cession, in which Fiji’s chiefs handed over sove-

reignty to the British crown in 1874, the Queen should be involved in moves towards a new constitution.

“In order to solve the (constitutional) problem decently, fairly and permanently, Fiji must have a constitutional convention, with the Queen’s active involvement under the deed of cession, where freely selected true representatives of all the peoples of Fiji can gather and work out a mutually acceptable definition of their Government,” he said.

Earlier, Dr Bavadra attacked the interim Government’s draft constitution which, if implemented, is expected to prompt racially segregated elections late next year.

- “Its purpose is to establish a permanent constitutionally sanctioned dictatorship,” he said.

A long list of his complaints included the entrenched role of the military in Government, the institutionalising of racial discrimination and a lack

of parliamentary and Presidential accountability.

Dr Bavadra attacked provisions, for up to 12 members of Parliament to be appointed and not elected and alleged an imbalance among proposed Fijian electorates based on traditional boundaries and not determined on population patterns.

He said the draft confused the nature of executive power among the President, Prime Minister and the military.

He attacked the. proposed abolition of Fiji’s upper house or senate in favour of a unicameral system which could operate on a quorum of only 12 out of a possible 71 members of Parliament while stripping the President of his ability to veto any bills passed.

On the other hand he criticised a section of the draft which would give the President power to grant immunity to individuals from all criminal or civil prosecution.