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New party elects Dimuri
Tuesday, April 03, 2001

THE newly formed Democratic Alliance Political Party has elected Macuata chief, Ratu Josefa Dimuri as its general secretary. Ratu Josefa is no stranger to politics as he was the information minister in the Rabuka government.

Although the legal paperwork of the party's formation was still being sorted out, support for the Vanua levu-based party was increasing every day, Ratu Josefa said

. The party is looking for more than 230 signatures to be eligible to register as a political organisation. "Chiefs and villagers have shown their interest in supporting the Democratic Alliance Party and I'm totally optimistic of a landslide victory in the general elections," Ratu Josefa said.

Meanwhile, former deposed Labasa Labour Party backbencher, Lateef Subhedar has expressed interest in contesting the general elections four months from now. Mr Subhedar said he would contest again this year because the support for FLP from people in the north was still strong.

"We can not neglect the needs of people because we had promised them a lot during our previous campaign," Mr Subhedar said. However, most Labour supporters in the north said they would either vote against the party or invalidate their ballot papers because they did not want to go through this crisis again.

Fiji's Daily Post

Stop Investigating Adi Samanunu
Tuesday, April 03, 2001

DEPOSED Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Gaffer Ahmed wants the Public Service Commission to stop investigating allegations made against Adi Samanunu Cakobau Talakuli.

Mr Gaffer believes the investigation itself is an "exercise in futility". "Since May 19 last year government had conducted several investigations, but nothing has come out so far," Mr Gaffer said.

"Look at the outcome of the investigations against Police Commissioner Isikia Savua. To date we still don't know who all testified because it was held in camera." Mr Gaffer said the same was being done in the case of Adi Samanunu. "Several serious allegations had been made against Adi Samanunu.

She was seen and actually chaired a meeting in parliament. Yet how many people are willing to come forward to testify against her," Mr Gaffer asked. He called on the PSC to abandon the investigation as it would be just a waste of money.

The PSC last week appointed Sakiusa Rabuka, a former Fiji diplomat in the United Nations, to head the investigating team against Adi Samanunu. Mr Gaffer suggested that the best cause of action was to allow the investigation to be made public so the people could know what was happening.

Fiji's Daily Post

PANU won't join Forum
Monday, April 02, 2001

THE Party of National Unity has confirmed it would not join the Fijian Political Parties Forum. PANU leader Ponipate Lesavua hit out claims made by the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei Party that the Western-based party has officially been approached to join the Forum.

"Their claim of extending an alive branch to us and the beginning of negotiations with us is misleading and all lies," Mr Lesavua said. Mr Lesavua said no one had approached him or any party executive on the matter. "Legally they will have to approach the executive committee members and not just any Tom, Dick and Harry and claim that they have spoken to PANU," he said.

Mr Lesavua said there were channels to be followed and the Fijian political parties were well aware of it. "It is a pity that such a respected man like Ro Epeli can make comments as such without consulting me," he said. Mr Lesavua said PANU doubted the long term survival of the joint political parties because of the internal bickering and differences as recently reported in the media.

The deposed sports minister said SVT should shoulder the responsibility for the disunity amongst Fijians. "They were in the helm of leadership for seven years what did they do in trying to unit Fijians, nothing. The Fijian people were further fragmented." Mr Lesavua said the move to unite all Fijian political parties is causing further confusion.

Meanwhile, PANU will expand its operations to other parts of the country for the August general elections. The party was concentrating in the Western Division during the May elections last year. Mr Lesavua said the move was being discussed after numerous calls have been received from Vanua Levu and Suva.

"Our symbol is the eagle and it's high time we spread our wings and fly to other places," he said.

Fiji's Daily Post

Yabaki refutes allegations
Monday, April 02, 2001

THE Citizens Constitutional Forum's (CCF) has refuted allegations that it is the `mouthpiece' for a political party. Forum chairman Reverend Akuila Yabaki yesterday said the Forum was an independent non-governmental organisation with a mandate to facilitate and encourage dialogue between different political parties concerning constitutional and other issues facing the country.

Rev Yabaki was reacting to the former President of Methodist Church of Fiji Reverend Manasa Lasaro's call to investigate the Forum's affairs. Rev Lasaro had recently said, "The Methodist church in Fiji is very concerned about the activities of the CCF especially when they have been used by foreign agents in a move which can cause instability in the country.

At this very moment, all can see the direction CCF is taking us to and it has to be investigated." Rev Lasaro had also stated that the Forum was funded by a branch of the British Methodist Church, the Methodist Relief Development Fund which was unaware that the CCF was using development funds for political debates, here in Fiji. Rev Yabaki, however, said that Forum's activities particularly those that are viewed as `political' were consistent with the objective and functions of the its constitution.

"CCF is not a mouthpiece of the Fiji Labour Party. The present case by the CCF that is before the High court regarding the exercise of the president's power is purely an issue of constitutional legality and should not be misinterpreted as disrespectful to the president or the indigenous Fijians... No one is above the law, including the president," Rev Yabaki stated.

"Some members of the deposed Government decided to support our case as co-applicants because they have legitimate interest in the issues. Had elected politicians from other political parties wanted to join this case, we would have welcomed them on the same basis as Ratu Kinijoji Maivalili from the SVT."

On the issue of use of British Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF), Rev Yabaki said, "MRDF has been supporting CCF programmes, Rev Lasaro should know that the Resource Cordinator Kirsty Smith had visited CCF in March and had expressed satisfaction with what we are doing with their funds and also confirmed the possibility of their continuing support."

He also questioned why Rev Lasaro's appointment to the position of Secretary of the Christian Citizenship and Social Service whilst still serving as church minister at Makoi, branding the appointment as unconstitutional. "The Methodist Church's Constitution doesn't allow for the holding of dual positions in the church." Rev Lasaro couldn't be reached for comments last night.

Fiji's Daily Post

Monday April 2 3:27 PM ET
Jury Selection Starts in New Mexico Sex-Torture Retrial

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Reuters) - Jury selection began on Monday in the retrial of a New Mexico man accused in a headline-grabbing case of kidnapping women for rape and torture in his desert mobile home.

David Parker Ray, 61, faces 12 felony charges for allegedly holding a 22-year-old Colorado woman captive for three days in 1996 in a backyard shed equipped as a sadistic ``toy box'' near the southern New Mexico town of Truth or Consequences.

Ray, a former state park mechanic and maintenance worker, also faces separate trials on similar sex-torture charges involving two other women.

The first case against Ray for the attack on the Colorado woman ended when a jury last July could not reach a verdict. Jury selection was then halted during Ray's November retrial when the presiding judge died of a heart attack.

Newly appointed state District Judge Kevin Sweazea will preside over the retrial, which is expected to last about three weeks. The case is being heard in Estancia, about 55 miles southeast of Albuquerque.

The sex-torture case first hit the headlines in March 1999 when a 22-year-old Albuquerque woman was found running down a road, naked except for a metal collar. She told police she had escaped from Ray's home in the settlement of Elephant Butte.

Ray became the focus of a major FBI (news - web sites) and state police investigation into suspicions that he was a serial torturer.

A second woman came forward claiming she had suffered a similar ordeal earlier that year and police found the third victim after identifying her from a video seized at Ray's home.

It was the third woman, now aged 26, whose case came to trial first.

She testified that she was gagged and handcuffed at knifepoint when she visited Ray's home in July 1996 and was held for three days in a shed, where she was tied to a table and repeatedly raped with sexual devices.

All told, four people were arrested and charged as a result of the investigation. Ray's girlfriend Cynthia Hendy and a friend, Dennis Roy Yancy, entered guilty pleas to helping Ray and are serving prison terms.

Ray's daughter, Glenda Jean Ray, is awaiting trial on 12 counts accusing her of helping her father kidnap and torture one of the victims.

Sunday April 1 2:37 PM ET
Milosevic Arrested, Pleads Innocent

By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (AP) - Yugoslav authorities ordered a haggard Slobodan Milosevic (news - web sites) held for 30 days as they considered the evidence behind charges of corruption and abuse of power stemming from his ruinous 13-year rule.

The former president surrendered before dawn Sunday, ending a chaotic 26-hour armed standoff during which he reportedly brandished a pistol and threatened to kill himself and members of his family.

Milosevic pleaded innocent and was appealing the detention order, said his lawyer, Toma Fila. ``He decided to defend himself. He will speak up and tell the truth,'' Fila said.

Special police forces storm the house of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic in Belgrade early March 31, 2001. A group of black-clad masked commandos arrived outside the Belgrade home of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic on Saturday and entered the grounds. Shots were heard, first outside the residence and later apparently from inside the grounds, witnesses said. (Ivan Milutinovic/Reuters)

Despite months of international pressure to have him extradited to the U.N. war crimes tribunal, which indicted him for crimes against humanity after his brutal crackdown on ethnic Albanians in Kosovo in 1999, officials insisted he first would be tried at home for ruining the country. But they held out the possibility of a later trial by the tribunal in The Hague (news - web sites), Netherlands.

``We are expecting him soon. It will be Milosevic in The Hague in 2001,'' tribunal spokeswoman Florence Hartmann said Sunday. Another spokesman, Jim Landale, said Yugoslavia had a ``binding obligation'' to turn him over.

Bundled into a police car, Milosevic was brought to Belgrade's Central Prison early Sunday. Local television showed the iron gates sliding shut behind him.

During the preceding standoff, Milosevic's loyal bodyguards - who barricaded themselves in his luxury villa - had sprayed gunfire at police charging the compound Saturday. Police regrouped and the government sent in negotiators to persuade Milosevic to give himself up and avoid a bloody confrontation. Outside, hundreds of his supporters gathered to taunt police with screams of ``Slobo! Slobo!''

As police pulled on woolen masks early Sunday in an apparent preparation for a second assault, a convoy of vehicles suddenly sped through the villa gates. Word came soon after that Milosevic had surrendered - but not before displaying a gun during the nightlong negotiations and pledging at one point to die rather than be taken, according to an account by the Serbian interior minister, Dusan Mihajlovic.

Just before he was whisked away, his 32-year-old daughter, Marija, fired several gunshots. A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said she was apparently aiming at a government negotiator. There were no injuries.

Justice officials said Milosevic - who as president enjoyed unrivaled deference and luxury - would be treated no better than any other prisoner.

``He has his own room,'' said Vladan Batic, justice minister of Serbia, the dominant Yugoslav republic. ``He will be given food, allowed visitors, to have his own clothes and footwear, money, books, newspapers. He will not be subjected to any kind of physical harassment, no psychological pressure.''

But Fila said his client, sedated and exhausted after his ordeal, would have to adjust to life behind bars.

``This is no five-star hotel,'' he told reporters, pointing to the huge, gray, communist-era building behind him. ``This is a Balkan prison. ... Some cells are better, which means he has hot and cold water, but no TV or radio, or a gym or a swimming pool.''

Describing Milosevic as a ``reasonable man who did not want any more Serb blood to be spilled,'' Fila blamed authorities for provoking the violence that preceded the arrest by sending riot police to storm the residence.

Authorities interrogated Milosevic on Sunday in connection with alleged abuse of power and corruption. The charges, which carry a maximum of five years in prison on conviction, include allegations that as president of Serbia and later Yugoslavia, Milosevic conspired with four top aides to steal about $390 million in Yugoslav dinars and German marks from the country's treasury.

More serious charges could be raised over the months ahead, possibly including involvement in a series of political assassinations. The questioning was to resume on Tuesday.

Milosevic's arrest followed a Saturday deadline on U.S. threats to suspend $50 million in economic aid if President Vojislav Kostunica (news - web sites)'s government did not show willingness to cooperate with the war crimes tribunal. But government officials said the detention was not linked to the deadline.

Kostunica has refused to extradite Milosevic to The Hague, insisting he should be tried at home for corruption and other alleged crimes. However, Yugoslav authorities clearly hope the arrest will lead to certification that they have met conditions for the aid.

Batic, the justice minister, said the arrest had ``at this moment'' no link to extradition demands by The Hague court. His choice of words suggested that authorities might consider handing the former president over to the U.N. court once he is tried domestically, and if parliament lifts a current ban on extraditing Yugoslav citizens.

With sentiment at home overwhelmingly anti-Milosevic, some in the leadership might be hoping that lingering opposition to extradition will erode if he is found guilty of significant criminal wrongdoing at home.

``Until we have the law ... none of our citizens can be handed over,'' Batic told reporters. He said preliminary legal proceedings could last ``for 10 days or six months.''

``At this moment, The Hague is out of question,'' Fila added.

Since his ouster from power last fall, Milosevic has lived under police surveillance in the cavernous villa built for former communist dictator Josip Broz Tito.

After gaining power during the waning years of communist rule in Europe, he triggered the bloody breakup of the former Yugoslavia in 1991, sending his army into losing wars against the pro-independence republics of Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia.

His brutal attempts to put down an ethnic Albanian rebellion in Serbia's province of Kosovo provoked NATO (news - web sites) airstrikes that pushed his forces out of the province in 1999.

When Milosevic refused to accept electoral defeat, opposition supporters rioted. He conceded defeat Oct. 6, but remained politically active.

CCF should be supported - Democracy Movement

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - April 1 2001

Democracy supporters have urged the Chief Justice, Sir Timoci Tuivaqa, to support Fiji's judges as they try to hold the line against the forces of illegality.

"Where the military and the civil service failed in their duty to uphold the law, the independent judiciary came out with flying colours," Mr Raymond Croxon QC, President of the UK based Movement for Democracy in Fiji said yesterday.

He was reacting to Sir Timoci's suggestion that a High Court judge, Justice Anthony Gates, should find work elsewhere instead of questioning Sir Timoci's decisions.

Justice Gates has been hailed, both locally and internationally, for his courage and determination in upholding the law after the military and the President illegally appointed an "interim government" last year.

His decision was later affirmed by the senior Commonwealth Justices who make up Fiji's Court of Appeal.

"Mr Justice Gates has asked for the legal basis for a decision by
Sir Timoci which deprives Justice Gates's court of certain powers,"
Mr Croxon said. "This should not be difficult to provide if Sir Timoci is acting legally."

"In these opportunistic times, everyone should make every effort to support the upholders of law, rather than give the impression of undermining them."

Tuivaga urged to support Gates

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - April 1 2001

The Citizens' Constitutional Forum should be supported, not criticised, for its efforts to keep Fiji within a legal framework, democracy supporters have said.

The Movement for Democracy in Fiji yesterday backed the CCF's attempt to test the President's appointment of a so-called caretaker government in court.

The MDF questioned the actions of the Minister for Information, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, who said the CCF's actions would create instability and were "unrealistic, reckless and legalistic".

"Ratu Inoke and the gunmen in parliament created instability and were reckless about the future of the country," MDF President Mr Raymond Croxon QC said. "Ratu Inoke and his cohorts acted illegally - as the High Court and the Appeal Court noted - in appointing themselves to positions of power after the government was illegally taken over."

"It would be good now for the courts to have another chance to test the flimsy veneer of legality that the illegal interim government seems to have tried to give themselves," Mr Croxon said.

"Surely there should be nothing for Ratu Inoke and his group to worry about. If they are acting legally their actions and position will be affirmed.

"If they are acting illegally, they will surely obey the law and urge everyone else, publicly and behind scenes, to obey the law.

"It is unlikely that people will ignore influential people like Ratu Inoke urging them to abide by the court's decision," Mr Croxon said.

Businessman calls for investigations of coup financiers

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 31 2001

A leading businessman from Labasa has called for the police to expedite the investigations into the involvement of businessmen with the terrorists.

In letters published in today's papers, Shivlal Nagindas writes:
"It is 10 months now since the May 19 coup and the subsequent overthrow of the legally elected government and yet the police investigation team has not been able to investigate and bring those responsible to justice."

"It is believed some prominent businessmen were involved by either assisting financially or encouraging the coup makers to topple the legally elected People's Coalition government."

"Those business should be apprehended. The government was doing a marvellous job for the poor and unfortunate people of the country, making a serious attempt to eradicate corruption in government and private sector."

"In media reports the police said it did not have adequate evidence collected to investigate those business who were involved and needed more time to bring these people to justice."

"It is two months now and still no action has been taken. The police investigation team is quiet for reasons best known to them."

"Unless the culprit are brought to justice, people will look at all businessmen suspiciously."

"It is therefore imperative and logical that the police should expedite their investigations that those involved in the coup are brought to justice once and for all or else the confidence in the police will dwindle in the eyes of the public."

Nagindas is the head of the Labasa Chamber of Commerce, and also a constitutionally appointed Senator.

Numerous prominent businessmen have been implicated with funding the terrorists. A list circulating in Fiji names numerous businessmen, mostly ethnic Indians. An analysis of the list shows that most of those listed have been associated with the National Federation Party, which lost the 1999 elections.

Meanwhile Australian media reports that the New Zealand government will be making available to Fijian authorities the list of people banned from entering that country for their involvement with the terrorists. The list includes numerous businessmen who financed the terrorists.

Politicised Churches take anti-Christ stand

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 31 2001

The churches which have become politicised have increasingly taken an anti-Christ stand over the past months.

Leading the call for apartheid in Fiji are factions of the Christian Democratic Alliance (Veitokani ni Lewenivanua Vakarisito) (CDA/VLV) and the Methodist Church.

Today's Daily Post carries the CDA/VLV's proposal for a political arrangement which will ensure ethnic supremacy of ethnic Fijians. The Party's General Secretary, Jo Vosanibola listed the aspects of the Constitution which they want amended to ensure racial supremacy. Points listed are that the Constitution:
· has alien ideals or ideologies that do not safeguard the plights of the indigenous people who have a different philosophy of life supported by their cultural values and belief system.
· strives to enhance equality among all races without being sensitive to cultural differences and the economic, social and political development stages each ethnic group has achieved. It is bound to cause more problems that what it has intended to do.
· hardly reflects the views of the common indigenous Fijians, but the few elite in government who assumed they represented the majority indigenous views.
· totally ignored to explicitly recognise that Fiji is the only place on earth where a Fijian society has existed and can continue to do so.
· gives equal status to the languages of Fijian, English and Hindi. This is bound to weaken the position of Fijians given the overwhelming presence of the mass media in the other languages.
· Abrogated affirmative action in the 1990 Constitution providing indigenous Fijians more opportunities in education, business and political representation and leadership.
· places equality of access to land in the provision for social justice and affirmative action was provocative given the history of land and leasing regulation in Fiji.
· failed to address the private sector discrimination against indigenous people's participation in the business sector.

The changes which the Christian party wants are not only anti-Christian, but are those which will institutionalise apartheid in the country.

Meanwhile The Methodist Church's Rev. Manasa Lasaro is asking for an investigation in the affairs of the Citizens Constitutional Forum. The CCF, a much respected, independent and multi-racial NGO has been vocal in raising matters of national concern. Lately it has spearheaded a legal challenge of the decisions of authorities which are unlawful and unconstitutional. Lasaro alleges that the funding for the CCF which comes from the British Methodist Church's Methodist Relief Development Fund was used for these challenges. He stated that the CCF's activities are "perceived by many as disrespectful to indigenous Fijians".

Paraphrasing the statements of the Qarase regime, Lasaro alleged that the CCF is "used by foreign agents". This week the illegal regime had also condemned the CCF.

The CCF's constitutional case is now pending in court, with the court giving the regime one month to respond to the CCF's affidavits. The court has also made provision for the regime to ask for more time to respond. It is believed that the judiciary, whose leadership has been politicised, has been deliberately trying to delay the case so that the regime rides out its term till August.

Methodist church pledges support
Sunday April 1, 2001

The Methodist Church in Fiji had expressed its solidarity support for the President and the Care-taker Government, to carry the country towards the general elections in August.

The former church president, Reverend Manasa Lasaro confirmed that support for Ratu Josefa Iloilo and the Laisenia Qarase-led Care-taker Administration was unanimously passed during the church's Standing Committee meeting on Friday.

He said the only way forward now was for all to support Mr Qarase and his Ministers in their efforts of returning the country to democratic rule.

"They have promised to hold the elections on August 25 and that will see a government elected by the people to run the country," Rev Lasaro said.

At this very difficult time, the Methodist Church has also called on all members and other religious groups to pray for a solution to the difficulties that the country has faced.

As Fiji is a democratic country, some are using their rights and freedom to challenge decisions made by our leaders.

While some supported the move by the president to dissolve parliament and name a care-taker government, others are not happy with it and have instituted legal actions.

The Methodist Church in Fiji has the largest number of indigenous Fijian as its members so the decision to rally behind the president and the Care-taker Government, Rev Lasaro said, meant that most indigenous Fijians support the two leaders.

The church however, wants some amendments to the 1997 Constitution. In an earlier interview with the general secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji, the Reverend Laisiasa Ratabacaca, confirmed that the church did not support the document.
In particular, it wants the section on "sexual orientation" amended.

Meanwhile, homosexuality was discussed during a meeting of Methodist Church officials from Western Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand and the Uniting Church in Australia.

Pacific church leaders expressed their strong adherence to the traditional teachings of the church and to look for the way forward using the "Pacific way" of reconciling the differences.

The debate in the New Zealand and Australian churches on homosexuality has caused much concern and pain for Pacific Island members of those churches.

During the meeting in Samoa the Methodist Consultative Council in the Pacific (MCCP) recommended the following of basic principles regarding homosexual:

- To absolutely respect the position taken by each church;
- respect any agreement made between churches represented in the MCCP regarding homosexuality; and
- each church to express pastoral concern for the people who originally came from other Methodist Uniting Church in the Pacific, bearing in mind the decisions of their home church regarding homosexuality.

Fiji's Daily Post

Four remain in govt quarters
Sunday April 1, 2001

The four Peoples Coalition government ministers still occupying Government quarters insist they will not vacate them.

This was in defiance of a Public Service Commission notice which stated that they do so yesterday.

Care-taker Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase had earlier stated the ministers had to leave the quarters as the pre-May 19 Parliament had been dissolved and they no longer enjoy that privilege.

Those still occupying Government quarters include deposed co-deputy prime ministers Adi Kuini Speed and Dr Tupeni Baba, Agriculture Minister Poseci Bune and Assistant Information Minister Lekhram Vayeshnoi.

However, they have made it clear that they would not legally bound to comply with instructions from the Care-taker Government, which had been declared as illegal by the Court of Appeal.

Adi Kuini's daughter, Tupou Draunidalo said: "The Public Service Commission shouldn't attempt to add to that bill by courting civil actions from the elected Members of Parliament and lawful members of Parliament and lawful members of the lawful Cabinet."

Adi Kuini has also written to the Secretary of the Commission, Anare Jale, stating her stand on the matter.

Fiji's Daily Post

Qarase may lead CDA
Friday March 30, 2001

Fiji's Care-taker Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase will likely lead the Veitokani ni Lewe ni Vanua Vakarisito/Christian Democratic Alliance Party in the August general elections.

Speaking ahead of Mr Qarase's confirmation on the likelihood of this, party president Ratu Josaia Rayawa yesterday said the party would be happy to have him as its new leader.

"Mr Qarase is welcome to join our party. We have a special position for him... why not give him the position of party leader," Ratu Josaia said. "I know that at the moment he is non-committal."

Ratu Josaia confirmed that Mr Qarase has been invited to join the party. "I am sure he has been receiving invitations from many political parties at the moment so it will be entirely upon him as to what party he wants to join."

However, Mr Qarase has remained tight-lipped about his future political affiliation. On the fate of former party leader Poseci Bune, Ratu Josaia said, "He is a good man who has done a lot for the party but the party can do without him if he decides to pull out."

Meanwhile, on reports that Mr Bune helped the party financially for sometime, Ratu Josaia said "many people have supported the party financially and I can't deny that Mr Bune has done likewise but I hope he doesn't use that to do whatever he likes to do in the party."

When asked if Adi Koila will be contesting the election under VLV, Ratu Josaia said, "The door is open for both of them and as far as Adi Koila is concerned, she has remained silent and there is no problem with her."

Fiji's Daily Post

Ratu Inoke hits out at Coalition
Friday March 30, 2001

The Minister for Information, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has branded the Peoples Coalition criticism of the Caretaker Government's initiative to help Fijians in education as "racist".

He was responding to a statement which appeared in the Peoples Coalition website yesterday.

"The Peoples Coalition is at it again," Ratu Inoke said in a statement.

"Any assistance Government gives to Fijians to lift their social and economic conditions to bring them closer to the standards enjoyed by other communities is branded as racist."

This time, Ratu Inoke said, the Peoples Coalition is criticizing special Government assistance for Fijian education as racist.

"Even in Australia and New Zealand, special programmes of education assistance are being provided by the Government to help give their indigenous communities equal opportunities in education," the minister said.

Australia, for example, has committed A$520 million over five years for Aboriginal education.

"The Peoples Coalition critics should ask themselves why were they silent when their leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, introduced policies, as Prime Minister, that were blatantly racist like the $28,000 cash grant to cane farmers with expiring leases, and nothing to in-coming Fijian landowners, the $8 million in welfare grant assistance to cane farmers to be repaid to the Sugar Cane Stabilisation Fund by Government, and the $19 million in cane rehabilitation assistance, also to be repaid by Government to the Sugar Cane Stabilisation Fund, when no similar grant assistance was given by Government to non-cane farmers, mainly Fijians, who also suffered from the drought and floods in 1997."

Fiji's Daily Post

Camp organisers maintain stand
Friday March 30, 2001

Organisers of the sanctuary camp for displaced families at the Girmit Centre in Lautoka maintain that they will not consult the new Care-taker Government over the issue.

They say this is a matter of principle because they have always maintained that the former Interim Government, whom they refused to deal with, is now back as the Care-taker regime.

Fiji Human Rights Group Chairperson Doctor Roy Krishna said this means the future of 31 remaining families at the camp was like a "wait and see game".

"The future of those remaining at the camp as well the country is bleak as a result of how the judicial decisions in the country are carried out," Dr Krishna said.

"We had a historical ruling by the Fiji Court of Appeal but still we have the interim government back as the Caretaker Government which is illegal."

"This is because when they were the Interim Government they did nothing for these people at the camp.

"Initially, we had decided that after the Appeal Court gave its ruling we would negotiate with the legal government which comes into power and get these people resettled and compensated.

"However, its very unfortunate these people have to stay at the camp longer till the elections or the courts decide."

Meanwhile, the camp is facing acute food and money shortage.

Fiji's Daily Post

Woman found hanging
Friday March 30, 2001

Police are awaiting the post moterm result of an 18-year-old Nadi housewife who was found hanging in her bedroom on Wednesday afternoon.

Deputy Divisional Police Commander Western Senior Superintendent Emosi Lagilagi said the Navakai woman was found hanging by her saree.

SSP Lagilagi said investigations were continuing. A family source said the couple had an argument before the woman was found.
It is believed the husband left the house after the quarrel after which the wife hanged herself.

Fiji's Daily Post

Thursday March 29 1:47 PM ET
Rights Group Worried About Plight of Namibian Gays

WINDHOEK (Reuters) - Amnesty International is concerned that recent statements made by President Sam Nujoma of Namibia may lead to persecution of lesbians or gays, a spokesman for the rights body said on Thursday.

``The government of Namibia is obliged to fully protect the rights of all its people, including gays and lesbians. Public officials must not incite discrimination, hostility or violence against members of sexual minorities,'' said Andrew Anderson, Amnesty International's program director for Africa.

President Nujoma has frequently described lesbians and gays as ``unnatural'' and against the will of God. On March 19 he told University of Namibia students that the country would not tolerate homosexuality or lesbianism.

``Police are ordered to arrest you, and deport you and imprison you,'' he said.

Members of Nujoma's cabinet have reportedly made statements that homosexuals should be ``eliminated'' from Namibian society.

Amnesty International believes that the vilification and persecution of people for their sexuality is a violation of their fundamental human rights.

``Amnesty International considers those imprisoned for their sexual orientation, or for the legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression and assembly, to be prisoners of conscience,'' Anderson said.

PANU rubbishes Qarase's Blueprint

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - 30 March 2001

The Party of National Unity, the political party formed by the Ba Provincial Council, has rubbished the Blueprint for Fijian Development.

PANU's parliamentary leader, and elected Minister for Youth and Sports, Ponipate Lesavua has been quoted by the Fiji Times as saying: "It is time for the grassroot people to realise that documents like the blueprint were political gimmicks drafted by smart and cunning people to win votes. We have been experiencing such propaganda and tactics since 1987 and nothing eventuated".

Lesavua also stated: "What the People's Coalition Government achieved in one year no government could achieve in their entire term". He stated that given the chance the coalition would have proved a lot of things to the grassroot people who were being mislead. "We have suffered a lot and will continue to suffer if good sense in out landowners and all citizens does not prevail".

Meanwhile the regime continues to defend the squandering of public funds in the blueprint, saying that it is intended to "bridge the gap" between the ethnic groups. The regime revealed this week that only 39% of the ethnic Fijians provided with the lucrative Fijian Affairs Board scholarships, have passed. The regime called criticisms of such massive waste of public funds "racist".

Pardon call a ploy by conspirators - paper

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - 29 March 2001

The call to grant terrorists George Speight and his gang a pardon is a ploy by conspirators to avoid being charged themselves. So claims the influential Fiji Sun newspaper today.

Its editorial stated: "There are moves underway to have the charges against George Speight dropped and to let him walk free. This is being given the spin that it would "unite the Fijian people"."

"Since when? At the time of last May's coup, George did not have an outpouring of public support from the Fijian people. A small mo9b gathered around parliament during the kidnapping, but they did not represent of the entire indigenous community. In many ways they represented the malcontents and misfits of the Suva area. If George had achieved overwhelming support, as Rabuka did in 1987, then he would not have been forced to threaten murder for eight weeks to try and save himself."

"We must remember that shortly after the coup occurred, there were indigenous Fijians in the West talking about forming separate nation. They certainly were not united behind George. Also, many other Fijians, away from chiefly ears, expressed the opinion that George was ruining the country."

"But there may be more behind the idea of freeing George Speight than uniting the Fijians. If George was to go to trial, then the names of many others currently not facing charges, or who had charges against them dropped, would come up in George's case."

"How could George be found guilty of treason without testimony from those who joined him at parliament, those who endorsed his cause, and even those who swore him into office? Their testimony and actions during the coup would be part of the evidence against George, and there are far too many people whose names would come up."

"So George may walk free, not because he has immense popularity or because he will unite the Fijian people, but because his trial would reveal far too much. Especially, so for some people in power."

"Will they organise a "Welcome Back George" parade for their hero? Perhaps, the streets will be lined with the thousands who lost their jobs, joined by the tens of thousands who suffered wage cuts, and of course, cheering on form the footpaths, will be all the young people who lost education and opportunity because of the disruptions of last year."

"A special part of the parade route could be dedicated to the victims of the huge increase in crime, and of course, the families of the dead."

"Maybe they could all wave little black flags."

Meanwhile, the SVT has for the first time acknowledged that some of the terrorists are SVT members. SVT's secretary Jone Banuva told the media that it wants the terrorists pardoned because many of those in prison on Nukulau island are SVT members. SVT was the main body which had plotted the attempted coup of May last year.

Military denies pardon report

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - 29 March 2001

The Military has denied that it ever started that it doesnot want those charged with treason and mutiny, to be pardoned.

Yesterday the Fiji Sun stated the military had rejected the calls for the pardon of terrorists and mutineers.

Today the paper reports the military denying the statement. Military's spokesman, Cpt Ned Taito stated that in his interview he had made no reference to the pardon issue. He also stated that from now on he will not accept any phone or verbal interviews.

It is believed that the military is under pressure from numerous influential people in the ethnic Fijian establishment who want the terrorists released.

Meanwhile, the 1987 coup leader Sitiveni Rabuka has been quoted by the media as saying that he does not agree with the calls by the SVT to pardon Speight and other terrorists. He said that these chaps were failed coup makers and should be dealt with according to law.

39% pass for FAB scholarships

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - 29 March 2001

The regime's Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase has revealed that only 39% of the students given the lucrative awards have passed.

As the Sabeto Primary School was closed by villagers demanding `goodwill' money, the regime's Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase donated $6,110 from public funds to the Nabua Secondary School, which caters largely for ethnic Fijian students.

According to today's Fiji Sun, making the donation, Qarase stated that of the 6,873 ethnic Fijian students who were given Fijian Affairs Board scholarships during the past 16 years under the special education scheme of the successive governments, only 2,708 pass. This is a pass rate of 39%.

Qarase justified the pass rate: "even though the success rate of the [ethnic] Fijian students was low, it was acceptable given the background and hardships that our children and parents go through in terms of our current education system".

The Fijian Affairs Board scholarships are the most lucrative scholarships of all scholarships given out by the government.

Government education awards are of various categories. First, there is the Public Service Commission scholarships of which 50% are reserved for ethnic Fijian students. Holders of these awards have to repay the full sum in instalments after they graduate.

In the mid 1980's the then government started a Fijian Affairs Board scholarship which caters exclusively for ethnic Fijian students. These award holders are not required to repay any portion of the award. The value of the FAB scholarships is also more than the other scholarships. It includes funds for local transportation and incidental allowances before students start their studies. PSC scholarship holders who study at the USP's Agriculture School in Samoa, for example, are required to pay their own way to Samoa while the FAB scholarship holders not only get their air fares paid, but also get $300 for incidental expenses before they reach the university.

Third comes the multi-ethnic affairs scholarship which caters for non-ethnic Fijian students, but which are low in value. Such scholarships often only cover tuition fees and are primarily geared towards sending students towards Fiji Institute of Technology and other sub-tertiary institutions.

Fourth is a loan scheme which caters for all students who are in financial hardship.

The People's Coalition Government was in the process of streamlining the scholarships with a view to making funded education available to all students who could not afford these, irrespective of ethnicity.

The Qarase regime, on the other hand, is further racialising education in Fiji by ensuring that ethnic Fijians get all the funds which they desire, while ethnic Indian students get deprived of education. By institutionalising such discrimination, it hopes that it will bring about a `balance' in educational achievements in Fiji.

NLTB involved in extortion

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - 29 March 2001

The N LTB is involved in extortion, says the elected Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

Responding to the takeover of the Sabeto Primary School by villagers claiming to be landowners, the Prime Minister stated that the Native Lands Trust Board and the police must take responsibility for the forced closure of the Sabeto Primary School on Tuesday.

Chaudhry stated: "This is not the first time police have allowed such acts of lawlessness to take place on the pretext that it is a civil matter. Anyone who enters a property unlawfully is committing a criminal act." He further said that there are "scores of examples of police inaction in dealing with landowners unlawfully entering and seizing property, in what are clear cases of criminal activity. Tenant cane farmers have been major victims of such harassment."

Chaudhry blamed the NLTB for failing "to keep [villagers] informed of its agreement with the school committee".

Chaudhry claimed that the demand for the additional money as a `goodwill' is "sheer extortion". He said "schools are non-profit making organisations and should not be subjected to such extortion".

"It is sad that the very people, including those in high office, who are responsible for upholding and enforcing the law are fostering such lawlessness through their own conduct and disrespect for the rule of law," he said.

The landowners are demanding $70,000 additional over what was already paid to them and the NLTB in 1996. (full text of the release is found at: http://www.pcgov.org.fj/press_rel/sabeto_school_nltb_police.htm)

Military rejects pardon calls

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - 29 March 2001

The military has rejected the calls made by the SVT and the Nationalists that the terrorists be pardoned.

Today's Fiji Sun quotes the military's spokesman, Captain Ned Taito as saying that the law must take its course for both, the terrorists and those charged with mutiny. He stated: "Basically we have to follow the law and we cannot set a precedent where we allow traditional matters to intervene". He stated that anything concerning traditional approaches for pardon is out of the question as the military maintains that the law has to be followed.

The military was last November rocked by an attempted mutiny. A coup was to be attempted if the mutiny would have succeeded.

Today's' Fiji Sun has strongly condemned the calls for the pardon of the terrorists. The paper stated: "George Speight and his goons must never be set free. They must face the law and answer for their crimes". Blaming the terrorist activities on politicians who lost the 1999 elections, the paper stated that these politicians promised the ordinary people wealth and power if they followed them. "That's what happened to Fiji last year - beginning way beyond May 19".

SVT wants terrorists pardoned

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - 28 March 2001

The SVT has revealed that it has already asked the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo and the regime Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to pardon the terrorists who have been charged with treason.

Today's Fiji Sun reports the SVT's Secretary, Jone Banuve saying that the SVT has also raised this matter with the Great Council of Chiefs, but so far nothing has eventuated.

The Fiji Times today quotes the SVT's President Ro Epeli Mataitini as saying: "In the spirit of the GCC meeting of May 2000 the President should take note of the recommendations in the 10-point plan and exercise his powers to pardon those who participated in the events in Parliament on May 19 and in related episodes and actions". Similar calls were made by the right wing extremist group the Nationalist Vanua Tako Lavo Party.

It is understood that the pressure for pardon of the terrorists comes from the SVT leadership, including MPs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Rakuita Vakalalabure, and Sam Speight, who were actively involved with the terrorists. Numerous Qarase regime members, including Qarase, have been identified as associated with the terrorists. It is also believed that the pressure also comes from a section of the largely ethnic Indian business community.

It is believed that Speight has made overtures to the authorities that unless the terrorists are pardoned, they will reveal the identities of all those involved with them who have still not been charged.

The SVT's President is further quoted by the Times as saying: "The SVT is of the view that these actions [pardon] are essential in the healing process for reconciliation to begin before going to the polls later this year".

CJ says he can order judges

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - 28 March 2001

In what has shocked the legal fraternity, the Chief Justice claims he has the right to order judges on what to do. The response was in light of the controversy surrounding the CJ's order that the Lautoka High Court not accept any case involving constitutional matters.

In a statement released to the media from the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice's Chamber stated that the judges have to follow orders given by the CJ. It stated that the High Court Act "stipulates that all officers of the High Court including chief registrar, deputy registrars and district registrars - shall discharge their duties subject to such order as they shall from time to time receive from the Chief Justice".

While the Act is clear in the stipulation, every lawyer knows that the CJ can not give orders which are contrary to law. One lawyer stated: "Every lawyer knows that the proper construction of the provision read that the court officers should perform the duties subject to such lawful order as they shall received from the CJ. There is no exception to this rule. Even the CJ must know that he can not issue orders which are contrary to law. And the existing law is that all High Courts can, and must, accept cases brought to them for filing". There are three high courts in Fiji - in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa.

The claim that the judges must adhere to the orders of the CJ displays the arrogance with which the current CJ conducts himself.

The CJ's conduct since 19 May last year has drawn heavy criticism from the legal fraternity in Fiji as well as pro-democracy political parties, and NGOs.

The Fiji Labour Party has called for the resignation of the CJ. The Fiji Law Society has condemned the CJ's actions. The Citizens Constitution Forum has called on the President to sack the CJ. Today an application will be filed in the Suva High Court seeking to get the CJ disqualified from handling any case involving constitutional matters. The ground for the application is that the CJ has advised the President on the unconstitutional decisions which the President has taken, and therefore, has compromised his position and independence in dealing with any constitutional cases.

Another school taken over

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - 28 March 2001

Villagers claiming to be landowners yesterday took over a primary school in Nadi.

About 6 villagers from villages in Nadi went to the Sabeto Primary School yesterday morning demanding `goodwill' payment of over $50,000 and then ordered that the school be closed. About 200 children, between the ages of 6 and 13, took shelter under trees around the school as the villagers moved in. This was in the presence of police officers and education ministry officials.

School officials state that they had paid $35,000 goodwill to the landowners in 1996 for the renewal of the lease as well as paid $4,671 to the Native Lands Trust Board for costs to amalgamate two leases for the primary and secondary schools, and to process the documents. Landowners are now demanding $63,208.

Officials state that the landowners were motivated by information that the state pays for goodwill demands made from schools. Media reports state that he landowners heard that in the past the government paid the money demanded and are now demanding over $63,000 hoping that the government will pay up.

Today's Fiji Times quotes a spokesman for the villagers as saying that they have given the school until 27 April to pay after which "we will close the school, until it is paid".

The actions of the landowners has drawn wide criticism from the people of Fiji. Most people yesterday expressed disgust at the fact that villagers could not only take the law into their hands in front of police officers, but also at the thought of villagers bent on disrupting education.

Today's Fiji Times has condemned the takeover saying that the act was illegal and that the perpetrators must be punished. It also stated that such "confrontational actions on issues involving land not only expose the tribes to legal consequences but in the much wider picture worry potential investors. Without protection of property rights, investors will be scared away".

It is alleged that some of the villagers behind the takeover come from the area from which the Qarase regime's minister and terrorist supporter Apisai Tora comes from. Tora is related by marriage to the Police Commissioner Isikia Savua.

Qarase's election contest unethical
Thursday March 29, 2001

The caretaker Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's decision to contest the August election has been described unethical by deposed Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Tupeni Baba.

Baba said that Qarase and other caretaker government members who intend to contest in the elections should not use their current position to campaign.

"It is extremely unfair of those people to use government resources particularly this time when there is a downturn in the economy," Baba added.

Rabuka awaits SVT ruling
Thursday March 29, 2001

Former Prime Minister and SVT leader Sitiveni Rabuka says he will decide which party he will stand for in the August general election after the SVT board replies to concerns he raised at this week's management board meeting.

Rabuka told the Fiji Times he did not agree on:

• The party's involvement with the May 19 coup attempt
• The abrogation of the 1997 Constitution even though it could be amended
• The racial stand of the SVT since the 1999 election loss

Rabuka said most people present at the meeting did not agree with his comments.

He said the way forward was a united front and becoming racist will not bring back harmony.

He said he was also concerned about the SVT's call for Speight and his group to be released.

"They should let the law take its course. It was an unsuccessful coup and they should be punished."

Iloilo for rule of law
Thursday March 29, 2001

The President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, will not be forced to act outside the law, says his permanent secretary Jeremaia Waqanisau.

He was reacting to statements made by the SVT that George Speight and his group should be released.

"His excellency is the symbol of unity and whatever he does, or the path he chooses must be conducive to the unity of the nation," he told the Fiji Times.

"Therefore the interests of individuals are low in the priority listing."

Army denies Speight comments
Thursday March 29, 2001

The army has denied making any comments on calls by Fijian political parties for the release of George Speight and his supporters held now on Nukulau Island prison.

The Fiji Sun newspaper had quoted army spokesman Captain Ned Taito as saying they did not support any release and preferred the rule of law to take its course.

In response to the story, the army said today it will not do any more interviews over the telephone.

Baba questions Qarase’s ethics
Thursday March 29, 2001

Deposed deputy prime minister Dr Tupeni Baba says Laisenia Qarase’s decision to contest the August general election was unethical.

Baba told Radio Fiji Qarase should not use his position to campaign for the election. Qarase yesterday spoke of the need for help for Fijian education and donated $6000 worth of desks and other items to Nabua Secondary School.

He said this was more important in view of the downturn in the economy and the loss of jobs and hardships faced by many people.

Groups slam SVT call
Thursday March 29, 2001

The Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei Party's call to release coup leader George Speight has been damned by political and non governmental organisations.

The groups have slammed the call debating that Speight and his team must undergo the full process of law.
Citizens Constitutional Forum director Reverend Aquila Yabaki said it is irresponsible for SVT to call for pardon of criminals before they are tried in a court of law.

"This a direct interference with the process of the Judiciary." he said.

Rev.Yabaki said such a call by SVT was an unbecoming of a respectable political party that seeks to lead in national interests.
"It is dammingly insensitive to the victims of coup to whom an apology is due." Rev. Yabaki said.

SVT general-secretary Jone Banuve had earlier stated that SVT is of the view that the release of George Speight and his group was essential for reconciliation process before going to polls.

The Christian Democratic Alliance/Veitokani Lewenivanua Vakarisito (CDA/VLV) also said such a call asking for the release of rebel leader George Speight has brought disrespectful to the high Office of the President.

Party general secretary, Josefa Vosanibola stated that law has to take its own course and we have to abide by it.

Mr Vosanibola said that CDA/VLV had shown its support to the President and would stand by it and therefore is not part of the SVT move.

National Federation Party general-secretary Attar Singh said the law must be allowed to take its course.

"Those charged with such serious crime must face the full brunt of the law."

Fiji's Daily Post

Military refutes report
Thursday March 29, 2001

The Fiji Military Forces has denied making the comments which appeared in a newspaper report yesterday regarding the release of failed coup leader George Speight.

The report had said the army wanted the full process of law to take it's course on people being held for treason and mutiny.

It said the military did not want Speight and his group and the First Meridian Squadron (1MS) to be released as suggested by some Fijian political parties.

However, army spokesman Captain Ned Taito said the article was taken out of context and questions asked to him were in reference to 1MS members.

He said there was no reference whatsoever made to George Speight by him or the reporter throughout their interview.

Captain Taito said while interested parties may want the release of ex-1MS personnel by traditional means, the investigations into the involvement of 1MS personnel into the May 19 and November 2, 2000 attempted coup and mutiny respectively are still being carried out.

Fiji's Daily Post

Police investigates school closure
Thursday March 29, 2001

Police have begun investigations into the unlawful closure of the Sabeto Indian School by Sabeto landowners on Tuesday.

Statement were taken from school teachers, management and trustees of the school yesterday. Deputy Police Commander Western Superintendent Emosi Lagilagi said no charges have been laid yet.

Head teacher Nitya Nand said normal classes resumed yesterday while trustees of the school would hold an extra ordinary meeting on Sunday to discuss the school's future.

Meanwhile, deposed Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry said the Native Land Trust Board and police must take responsibility for the forced closure of the school. "One can imagine the impression such an incident must have left on frightened little school children who were forced to leave their classrooms," Mr Chaudhry said.

"While the landowners were wrong in taking the law in their hands, the blame for their unlawful action lies with the NLTB, which failed to keep them informed of its agreement with school committee."

Mr Chaudhry said NLTB also failed to keep up on its agreement with the school management for the issue of a consolidated lease.

School manager Jadgishwar Singh said the school committee paid a renewal premium of $35,000 four years before the lease expired.

This was accepted by landowners who agreed to renew the lease. However, they are now demanding an additional $70,000.

Mr Chaudhry described this as simple extortion.

"Schools are non-profit making organisations and should not be subjected to such extortion."

Mr Chaudhry said failure to curb acts of lawlessness prevalent since May 19 last year was frightening and sent negative signals to investors, quite apart from feelings of insecurity it caused among the people here.

Fiji's Daily Post

Taboo linked to suicide
Thursday March 29, 2001

The taboo approach given to suicide by members of the public can be attributed to its unnecessary increase, says Fiji Women's Crisis Centre coordinator, Shameema Ali.

According to her, suicide is an issue not normally discussed openly which in turn deprives the younger generation from learning about its consequences.

"The situation becomes the concern of the nation if lives are taken without any second thought given to the consequences afterwards," Ms Ali said.

Ms Ali said people who commit suicide were mainly those who desperately needed but were denied or not given enough attention.

"Nowadays not much attention is given to most teenagers who, in despair, have no other alternative but to commit suicide."

She said qualified and trained suicide counsellors at the FWCC were willing to provide help to anyone contemplating suicidal thoughts or going through a hard time.

"Many cannot afford to go to doctors and Fiji does not have many professional psychiatrists.

Upon requests the FWCC is willing to hold workshops and counselling sessions for teenagers at their schools or at an organised centre," Ms Ali said.

"Depression is found mostly in teenagers and it is our responsibility to provide them with all the support they need to make their way forward and not down the hill."

Fiji's Daily Post

Garment Industry - where to next ?
Thursday March 29, 2001

Fiji's garment industry is taking a nose dive, ever since that fateful day, May 19 2000, when armed gunmen stormed into Fiji's Parliament, which was in session, and kidnapped the one-year-old Peoples Coalition government.

Four garment factories have closed in the past two months and many more are likely to do so unless the economy recovers.
Even leading manufacturers who maintained full operatios through out the political crisis are gradually laying off workers because of the sticky situation facing the industry.

The main reason behind this is the pressure put on the foreign customers ( our major trading partners) by their respective governments and trade unions, all in the good name of democracy.

Let's take a look at a brief historical background on Fiji's Textile Clothing and Footwear Industry.
The instigation of the first Tax Free Factory in 1987 is attributed to a number of factors:

- The South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement (SPARED) was signed in the early 1980's by most Forum Island members. The agreement provided non reciprocating duty free and unrestricted access into the Australian and New Zealand markets. However, to qualify for the duty free concessional access, goods must meet the rules of origin.

- Also in the early 1980's the New Zealand and Australian governments reviewed their industry policies on tariff protection for the Textile Clothing and Footwear (TCF) industries. It was decided that high levels of duty be dismantled over 10 years resulting in the decline of the Australia and New Zealand TCF Industry.

- In 1987, Fiji's Interim Government's investment package was announced allowing for a range of concessions with the 13-year tax exemption being the catalyst for promoting export oriented industries as a basis to reconstruct the damaged economy.

- The United States market has also been a major contributor to the growth of the TCF industry in Fiji. With growing quota allocations to Fiji, the major Asia-owned companies, for instance, Hantex, have all grown in line with the quota allocation.

So by 1999, there were 154 tax-free factories of which 150 were apparel manufacturers.

In addition, the Australian government designed an industry assistance package called the Import Credit Scheme (ICS) for Australian manufacturers. It was an attempt to encourage export growth in the early 1990's resulting in a boost to the Fiji Garment Industry allowing greater rapid growth.

Nevertheless, the adverse effects of the coup have been described by Mark Halabe, President of the Fiji-Australia Business Council, as "incomprehensibly devastating" for Fiji's TCF Industry."

"Not only were there Union trade bans slapped on to Fiji as a whole where raw materials were held up on Australian and then later New Zealand wharfs and airports, but export goods were not allowed to be received into Australia and New Zealand."

"To add further disruption to the already difficult trading conditions, the proposed replacement scheme to the important ICS was suspended and the derogation concession was terminated by the Australian government. While electricity blackouts were common and workers unable to attend work on a regular basis, the reputation of the TCF industry in Fiji were in tatters," Mr Halabe said.

In the past few weeks the closure of garment factories has increased the unemployment figure to more than 1000. A statement from the Melbourne Garments in Suva, after its closure, said the after effects of the coup - such as the removal of export incentives by the Australian government - greatly reduced the viability of production in Fiji.

"The current economic climate in both Australia and Fiji coupled with the flooding of the Australian marketplace with cheaper Asian-made products has resulted in a severe downturn in the profitability of the company."

Thus, the management of the company considered it no longer viable to manufacture for the Australian market in Fiji.
The closures prompted Fiji Chamber of Commerce president, Natwar Lal Vagh to call on the Fiji Trades and Investment Bureau for the screening of "fly by night investors."

Mr Vagh was referring to the closure of two foreign owned garment factories in Lautoka which had taken advantage of the tax-free zone concessions. "They have come here because they were lured into the tax-free zone and they were given tax-free status. It would be best if these foreign investors are screened by FTIB to see whether they can carry out their work within a given time frame. I believe workers have been made to suffer because of such investors who win when the going gets tough."

However, the same application procedures are followed with FTIB regardless of whether they are local or foreign investors. According to a close source, who or what takes the blame when investors suddenly leaves varies. If the climate is right, the profit is good, the company prospers, it may expand and employ even more people. But if the climate is against the investor, business is bound to fall through and the company does not have much of a choice but to close down.

Other factors which may contribute to failure of business is the untimely decision made by the company, financial constraint, natural disasters, severe effects of trade bans and sanctions imposed by main markets in Australia and New Zealand and attractive investment packages offered elsewhere.

FTIB is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Business Development and Investment. Its primary role is to promote investment, exports and promote the development of ventures which enhances employment. While it actively fulfils its objectives, it cannot control the climate under which investors operate. Thus it cannot ensure that a venture cannot close down. "However FTIB sympathises with the companies and hopes it can build up investor confidence in Fiji."

As a result of the TCF industry downturn, a lot of criticism has been levelled at the Fiji Trades Union Congress.
The FTUC denied claims however, particularly by the TCF industry, that it is responsible for the massive lay-offs in the garment factories because of the call for implementation of trade bans. Congress national secretary, Felix Anthony said the problems affecting Fiji was a result of non-compliance with the rule of law.

"There are international norms and conventions which countries must uphold if they are to maintain bilateral trade, recognition and receive aid. What has happened in Fiji is in breach of the norms of international relations. Fiji is paying the price for which we must take full responsibility. The FTUC has been working with NGO's to return the country to normalcy."

According to Mark Halabe, the TCF industry will not survive the onslaught of new sanctions. "The Australian government will cancel the new SPARTECA-TCF scheme and the US government will suspend quota allocation to Fiji." He said the complete destruction of the industry is possible within a very short time. "It is expected that there will be further redundancies and factory closures as long as there is political instability in Fiji." He added that the consequences of heightened international sanctions would ultimately destroy all export oriented TCF companies within six months.

Nevertheless, a recent decision by the European Union approving Fiji's application for derogation from the rules of origin for certain garments has been welcomed by the TCF council.

The deal which becomes effective from April 1, 2001, allows local garment manufacturers to export a wider range of garments to the EU from next month market duty-free.

FTIB chief executive, Jesoni Vitusagavulu said the decision came at a time when garment manufacturers were in need of finding new markets to reduce their dependence on one or two countries.

Says Mark Halabe, although it will regenerate some businesses, it won't really cover for the losses suffered after the crisis. "Yes, it is a little bit of an improvement."

Fiji's Daily Post

Huge decline in Tourism earnings
Wednesday March 28, 2001

Fiji's gross earnings from tourism for the fourth quarter of 2000 is estimated at $100.9 million.

A Bureau of Statistics statement said this represents a decline of $3.7 million or 27.7 per cent over gross earnings of $139.6 million for the same period in 1999.

The bureau attributed the decrease to a decline in the number of visitor days due to the political instability experienced since May 19 last year.

"Tourist arrivals during the quarter totalled 74,428, a decline of 29,478 or 28.4 per cent over the 103,906 arrivals during the same period in 1999.

"The estimated average length of stay of visitors for the quarter stood at 8.4 days, a slight increase from eight days for the same period in 1999," the statement said.

It said the provisional estimate is based on visitors arrivals, average length of stay and per diem expenditure by country of origin from the International Visitors Survey(IVS), updated by the general index.

"On this basis, estimated earnings from Australia in the fourth quarter amounted to $F33.0 million, representing 32.7 per cent of the quarterly total, compared with $42.4 million or 30.4 per cent of the total earned during the same period in 1999."

The bureau said tourism gross receipts continues to be Fiji's major source of foreign currency earnings, which has been the trend since 1989.

"In 2000, Fiji's gross earnings from tourism was estimated at $F426.3 million, a decrease of $F132.3 million or 23.7 per cent over gross earnings of $558.6 million for 1999.

"Of the estimated $132.3 million decrease in Tourism Earnings for 2000, Australia had the highest share of $44.9 million representing 33.9 per cent of the total decrease, followed by Japan $3.3 million, New Zealand $27 million, United Kingdom $10.7 million, Continental Europe $6. million, United States of America $5.5 million, Pacific Islands $4.3 million, Canada $3 million, Rest of Asia $0.2 million, Malaysia $0.2 million and Others $0.1 million."

The statement said the only increase in 2000 was by South Korea which recorded an increase of $0.7 million.

"There are, however, no reliable figures on the difference between gross and net earnings of foreign exchange by the tourist industry."

Fiji's Daily Post

Tavola meets McKinnon
Wednesday March 28, 2001

The Commonwealth supports the caretaker government's decision for a general election in August under the 1997 Constitution.

Commonwealth secretary-general Don McKinnon told Foreign Affairs Minister Kaliopate Tavola that it was important that Fiji return quickly to parliamentary democracy.

Tavola arrived in London this morning to brief McKinnon on recent political developments in Fiji.

He meets John Battle, the state minister in the British Foreign Office tomorrow.

Qarase for VLV?
Wednesday March 28, 2001

All indications are that caretaker Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase will lead the VLV (Christian Democrats) into the August election.

Although Qarase has been non-commital, the VLV is the only party that has offered him the top job.

But dismissed VLV leader Poseci Bune says he is headed to the courts to prove that he was wrongfully dismissed.

Bune told Fiji TV that he will decide which party he stands for after this court case.

Aug election doubt: Baba
Wednesday March 28, 2001

Deposed deputy prime minister and a Fiji Labour Party leader Dr Tupeni Baba says he doubts the general election will be held in August.

Baba says the election can only be held after a court action filed by him and other deposed MPs questioning the legality of the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo's decision to dissolve Parliament, and the subsequent appointment of the interim government as the caretaker government.

Baba's group had wanted Parliament reconvened because he claimed he had the support to be named prime minister.

But Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry had asked for Parliament to be dissolved and is believed to have started campaigning for the election.

Baba says he will take the case up to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Monasavu group discharged
Wednesday March 28, 2001

Another group of people has been discharged after State prosecutors failed to produce witnesses.

Monasavu landowners Kevekini Navuso, Solomone Naqa, Adrea Vasutoga, Maika Rokoleba, Senitiki Natebe, Waisake Turuva, Kuliniasi Latikau, Seremaia Cakau, Sakeo Rabebe, Iliesa Navukula and Josefa Rusaqoli had denied charges of conspiracy to commit an unlawful offence.

The charges relate to roadblocks erected by the landowners at Monasavu hydro-electric dam in 1999 while pressing for compensation for the use of the catchment area surrounding the dam.

Landowners' lawyer Isireli Fa and prosecutor Josaia Waqaivolavola had apparently made arrangements to ask for an adjournment, but Chief Magistrate Salesi Temo refused this.

Robber asks for 3 years
Wednesday March 28, 2001

A robber on Tuesday asked for three years in prison when the magistrate asked him to sentence himself.

Felix Vusonitokalau had admitted stealing $800 cash and a cash register from Sardar Supermarket at Raiwaqa on August 7 last year.

Chief Magistrate Salesi Temo noted his previous convictions but decided to give him two years instead.

Trade Union condemns school’s closure
Wednesday March 28, 2001

The Fiji Trades Union Congress has condemned the sudden closure of the Sabeto Indian School in Nadi on Tuesday.

Secretary of FTUC, Felix Anthony said that the 211 pupil’s future is being unwarrantedly affected.

"The importance of education is going unheeded with such incident, showing the sheer lack of commitment from the part of the landowners as regard to indigenous education," Anthony said.

He called on the landowners to deal with such grievances in a proper manner rather than taking the matters into their own hands.

Meanwhile, Anthony has objected to attempts made by the indigenous Fijian Political Parties to release George Speight and his group from Nukulau Island.

He reiterated that the release of George Speight will only show that what happened on May 19^th of last year, is acceptable and supported by the authorities.

"Fiji will be known to have a norm where whenever factions of disgruntled people are dissatisfied with the elected government, they can illegally overthrow the elected government and walk free," Anthony added.

He stated that the Fiji Trades Union wants the perpetrators of the May 19^th 2000, to be punished for the havoc they have created in Fiji.

Landowners action disgraceful
Wednesday March 28, 2001

The Fiji Labour Party has hit out at landowners who yesterday closed the Sabeto Indian School in Nadi, calling the action disgraceful and sending wrong signals to the children of the country.

The landowners entered the school premises and ordered the students and teachers to vacate claiming that the school committee had not paid upto $75,000 in lease money. School trustees and management have been given one month to come up with the money or the school will be closed. There are 211 students at the school, of which 28 are Fijians.

Party spokesperson Pratap Chand said the closure is unacceptable to all people and children who value education and would like to pursue their work without unwarranted disturbance. He pointed out that over the years there has been a lot of discussion and concern for the education of indigenous Fijians at all levels. "In the last 10 months leaders and some members of the Fijian community have been sending wrong signals to the children of the country."

Chand said their disrespect towards schools and institutions of learning sends negative signals to children and youths. This sort of action undermines the value of education, he warned, pointing out that the school is being projected as a place of lawlessness and of no importance.

Describing the action of the landowners as a step backwards towards indigenous education, Chand said it created totally negative impressions in the minds of children. "They begin to wonder whether it is worthwhile going to schools when their own elders are closing them."

"Chiefs and elders should take stock of what damage has been done to Fijian education since the events of May 19. They need to look at the external exam results, the drop outs and the mental attitude of the children". He said the landowners have the means to settle their grievances through the Native Land Trust Board.

Fiji's Daily Post

Tuivaga clears air
Wednesday March 28, 2001

Chief Justice Sir Timoci Tuivaga yesterday cleared the air on media reports concerning the high office.

Internal confidential correspondence within the Judicial Department was leaked to a high powered group who were trying to substantiate their calls for the resignation of Sir Timoci Tuivaga as CJ.

A media release from the CJ's office yesterday said the act was extremely reprehensible.

"Whoever leaked them was obviously politically motivated to embarrass the judiciary and the Government as much as possible," the secretary to the CJ said.

"It is most unworthy of the person or persons presumably intelligent who conspired in the dissemination of the department's official confidential correspondence. It was not meant for general public consumption."

Replying to calls for the CJ to resign, the secretary to the CJ said it should be made clear that CJ will retire from the judicial service when he sees fit to do so or if it is the express wish of His Excellency the President, whichever occurs first. The latter is the prerogative of the President under the Constitution.

Deposed prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry's allegation about the CJ's retirement age being increased for his own benefit was a flagrant attempt to mislead the public and cause maximum mischief the statement said.

"The CJ's retirement age of 75 has been part of his terms and conditions of service well before the promulgation of the 1997 Constitution which fixed the retirement age of 70 for senior judges with possibility of an increase to 78, health permitting."

It appears many people have conveniently overlooked in the current debate the provisions of the High Court Act which govern the administration of court business in the High Court.

The Act supplies that all Officers of the High Court and this includes the Chief Registrar, the Deputy Registrars and District Registrars shall discharge their duties "subject to such orders as they shall from time to time receive from the Chief Justice".

Another provision in the Act requires a Deputy Registrar or a District Registrar to discharge his/her duty "subject to such directions as the Chief Justice may from time to time deem expedient to give."

The instruction given to the Lautoka High Court registry was only restricted to possible court actions that were then anticipated relating to the appointment of the President and the Caretaker Government. It was all done in good faith.

The CJ as head of the judiciary was doing no more than exercising his power and authority as Administrative Head of the Judicial Department in relation to court registry matters in accordance with the aforesaid provisions and with Order 4 rule 1 of the High Court Rules (L.N. 37/1988 as amended) in mind and the Chief Justice's own Circular Memorandum No. 1 of 2000 on the subject, all of which for those interested are readily available for inspection at the High Court Registry in Suva.

Fiji's Daily Post

Don't free Speight: Army
Wednesday March 28, 2001

The army says George Speight and his group who are awaiting trial on treason charges, should not be freed.

The army was reacting to statements by various political parties that they will be approaching the President to use his powers to free the group.

Army spokesman Captain Ned Taito told the Fiji Sun there was no question of pardoning Speight's group or rebel soldiers who mutineered.

SVT calls for Speight's release
Wednesday March 28, 2001

The Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei Party (SVT) in an attempt to strengthen Fijian unity for the next elections yesterday called for the release of failed coup leader George Speight.

SVT general-secretary Jone Banuve yesterday said the release of George Speight and his group was essential for the reconciliation process before the polls.

Mr Banuve said Speight should be released and included in the reconciliation team.

"We have already approached the Bose Levu Vakaturaga, the President and the Government and communicated our request," Mr Banuve said.

"This call is from the SVT which has been persistent. And this call was renewed in today's (yesterday's) Management Board meeting. George is a member of SVT. Most of them on Nukulau are members of SVT so we will look after them."

He said the combined political Fijian forum may also call on the President for Speight's release.

"Whether George will contest the elections or not is another issue" Mr Banuve said.

Party president Ro Epeli Mataitini said: "In the spirit of the BLV meeting of May 2000, the President also takes note of the recommendation in the ten point plan that he exercise his powers to pardon all those who participated in the events in parliament on 19 May and in related episodes and actions."

However the SVT call was condemned by Citizens Constitutional Forum director Reverend Akuila Yabaki.

Fiji's Daily Post

Farmers to thank villagers
Wednesday March 28, 2001

Savu villagers who last year sheltered indo-Fijian Muainaweni farmers at the height of last year's unrest will soon be thanked by the farmers, Senior Superintendent Romanu Tikotikoca said.

The Director of Police Uniformed Operations was at the settlement last Sunday holding talks with the farmers about safety and security issues.

"All farmers who have returned have settled in really well, some are even ready to yield their crops," SSP Tikotikoca said.

Also present at the meeting were homeowners whose houses were burnt and rebuilt with government aid.

"The last crime report in the area was on January 14 and since then, the place has been crime free," SSP Tikotikoca said.
He said the villagers were to be thanked for helping the police post and mobile officers maintain peace in the area.

Last week a family returned to the settlement and seven are still sheltering at the Girmit Centre in Lautoka. The seven families will be visited by SSP Tikotikoca and his team next week.

Meanwhile, SSP Tikotikoca confirmed Korovou Day for Namalata and Sawakasa villages will be held on April 24 at Korovou.

Fiji's Daily Post

Chinese garment worker found dead
Wednesday March 28, 2001

A middle-aged Chinese garment factory worker was found dead in an apartment at Ram Shanker Building at Toorak Road, Suva yesterday.

Sources said police found the victim lying on the floor naked with her hands tied behind her back. The identity of the woman and other personal details could not be obtained yesterday.

It is believed the woman who was originally from China may have been dead since Friday or Saturday night. Police are treating the death as murder.

Police were yesterday questioning a man living in the same building. Police detectives led by Inspector Ponsami Chetty did not reveal details of the death.

The landlord Ram Shanker who also lives on the bottom floor had reported the woman missing at the Toorak Police Post on Saturday.

It is understood she worked for a garment factory at Spring Street less than a 15 minute walking distance from her flat.
Mr Shaker also reported to the Police Post the deceased's room had been ransacked. This was confirmed when the report book was sighted.

Officers at the Police Post referred the matter to the Central Police Station in Suva.

However, it was not until midday yesterday that police started the investigations after a stench emanated from the house.
The deceased's friends had started looking for her yesterday.

A shopkeeper who runs a bakery about hundred yards away said the woman passes by her shop in the morning and late in the evenings.

Police were yesterday questioning some Chinese nationals on personal details of the deceased. Other shopkeepers and people living around the area were being questioned by police.

The small busy community at Toorak Road were yesterday still shocked by the news of the death. The deceased had been living at the apartment on her own for the past few months.

"She keeps to herself and we hardly see her around," a shopkeeper said.

Last year police raided the same building and detained an illegal Chinese immigrant who was renting there.

A crowd was gathered at Toorak Road for most part of the day yesterday as they watched police officers conduct their investigations.

The crowd dispersed when the body was taken away on a police van to the Central Police Station.

Fiji's Daily Post

Landowners threaten to close school
Wednesday March 28, 2001

Trustees and management of Sabeto Indian School have been given one month to come up with $75,000 or else the school will be closed.

The landowners moved into the school yesterday stripping the school headmaster of the keys and said the lease expired on April 27.
A landowners representative said the four and half acre land on which the school stands belongs to three tokatokas, namely Nacekaya, Vunatawa and Naceruku.

Two hundred and eleven students with their teachers had to be sent home after the landowners moved in and ordered them to vacate at about 10am.

Out of the 211 students only 28 are Fijian students while the majority are indo-Fijians and Others.

While police and the military closely monitored the developments the NLTB (Native Lands Trust Board), Sabeto villages and trustees managed to strike a deal.

School headmaster Nitya Nand said the negotiations were between relevant parties and school would resume today.

"We will start school tomorrow (today) morning as usual and the trustees will then decide what to do," he said.

Divisional education officer Western Vasu Maharaj said the situation was being closely monitored and a report would be forwarded to the Ministry of Education shortly.

Fiji's Daily Post

Embassy confirms receiving petition
Wednesday March 28, 2001

The Australian Embassy yesterday confirmed receiving a petition from the Peoples' Organisation for indo-Fijian Rights and Land Resolution.

Embassy public relations officer, Dennis Rounds said the organisation had in the petition named Britain, India and Australia as the three countries who benefited from the Indians being brought as indentured labourers to Fiji.

And therefore have the responsibility of safeguarding the future rights of indentured labourers and their descendants in Fiji.
He said: "We've received the petition and we're forwarding it to our head office in Canberra for the appropriate authority to have a look at it."

The petition was to have been hand delivered but the organisation president Dr Niraj Sumeshwar Yadav said they were told to post the petition to the embassy which they did.

The organisation is demanding more detailed information on the conditions of indentured labourers who came into the country in the last century.

Their descendants regarded Fiji as their homeland but with the political uncertainties after the 1987 and 2000 coups they're always looked upon as foreigners with bleak futures.

The organisation wants to be provided with the following necessary pieces of information:

a) the names of the principal participating nations, their agents, trustees and attorneys, organisations, authorities and institutions, groups or bodies of people or individuals or any other party whatsoever who were involved, either directly or indirectly, in bringing Indian labourers to Fiji.

b) require the advise as to the nature and existence of any documentary evidence of authority, consensus deed or contract that existed between the individuals who were the indentured labourers and the party or parties who were responsible in getting them to Fiji.

c) require the advise in regards to the complete nature and the text of all the terms and conditions and any other considerations expressed or implied, of the indenture scheme.

d) documentary evidence of any form of discharge that existed between the indentured labourers and their respective counterparts.

e) be advised to what form of rights, titles or interest that were accorded to them.

f) be advised on the role played by the native landowners of Fiji and their chiefs on the bringing in of Indian labourers.

The organisation respects the rights of the landowners but they feel their plight could be reviewed jointly by all parties.

Mr Rounds said a reply would be issued by the appropriate authority in Canberra.

Meanwhile the British High Commission had also sent the petition to the appropriate authority in London and would await the reply from them.

Fiji's Daily Post

Tackling sexual problems through education
Wednesday March 28, 2001

The Ministry of Health tells us that there are 68 HIV/AIDS patients in Fiji. The ministry further reports that most of the patients are young adults in their 20s. Dr Rabukawaqa called on parents to lift the taboo curtain and play a leading role in the sexual health education of their children. This is an important message given the dramatic rise in sexually transmitted infections. In 1999, 2,259 people contracted a sexually transmitted infection. Of this number, 1,164 were under the age of 24. The figures for 2000 are still being collated although one suspects that because of the crisis we faced last year the figures could be much higher than 1999. A number of organisations like the RHAF, Fiji Red Cross, AIDS Task Force, HIHS Telephone Counselling, STI Clinic are currently working in the area of sexual and reproductive health and doing excellent work.

The Fiji Community Education Association (FCEA) has begun its peer education outreach in various parts of the greater Suva area. What the association has done is to send circulars to parents explaining the reasons behind the sexual and reproductive health outreaches. Parents who require additional information often ring the association. In many cases personal visits are made to parents when they return from work. It is felt that their support is essential to the release of their teenage sons and daughters and the effective inculcation of sexual and reproductive health information and the critical thinking attitude encouraged in young people.

Peer education is based on the notion that sexual health information received from someone of the same age or social group is more readily accepted and valued. Important sexual and reproductive health information is given by people who are trusted. Peer educators who practice responsible behaviour such as abstaining from sex or using safe sex methods provide good role models for their peers. The association also has peer educators who are adults. They provide education to adults who require information and decision-making processes on reproductive and sexual health.

One recent peer education outreach (run by FCEA) I observed was at the Cunningham Hall last week. I had arrived late but from the notes written by some young people and the supplementary handouts I gathered that participants had already received basic facts and information on sexuality transmitted infections and HIV-AIDS. The peer educators had also employed innovative teaching methods by using drama to show a case of youths abstaining or postponing the sexual experience. The other drama was on safe sex methods.
Another exercise in peer education looked at explicit language. This helped participants to describe values and attitudes towards sexuality and to talk more freely about sex in an atmosphere of openness within the group. It's interesting to hear the new terms people in Suva are coming up with to describe sexual activities. I had sat down in a group where people were talking about "horizontal mambos." This was the latest slang provided by a student to describe people who "do the do" (another term I learnt later meant sex). I was told that these terms were more acceptable than the f... word. A young men spotting a Karl Tenana hairstyle, speaking in a thin voice with a feminine slant, was talking about 'expired yogurt' which people who loved doing the 'vertical muchacha' liked taking in. I thought this strange, "Why would anyone like eating expired yogurt." The youth with the Tenana hairdo explained politely that they were talking about semen. Some parents may disapprove of explicit language. However this exercise is designed to make the group feel more comfortable by establishing a common "language" for topics which are often considered taboo.

The Peer Education programme also encourages young people to discuss boyfriends/girlfriends issues. Young people are also encouraged to "make responsible decisions" and "say what they want". Often young people are asking to do something they do not want to do. One area where it is important for people to say 'no' if they want to is in sexual relationships. Often young people say they had sex with someone because of pressure, not because it was something they really wanted to do."
An example is provided below:

Navin: C'mon Doris ... let's make love. I really like you and I know you like me.
Doris: I don't know Navin. I don't know if I'm ready for it.
Navin: Come on, you know I'll be careful. You'll enjoy it.
Doris: Yes ... but ... I don't know. I've to go home soon.
Navin: Please we've got plenty of time. Don't you love me?
Doris: You know I do. I'm just not sure I'm ready.
Navin: You really want to say yes. You just think I won't respect you if you say `yes'.
Doris: No, it's not that, You're wrong about that.
Navin: I thought you loved me.
Doris: I do, but ...... (adapted from SPC)

Sexually transmitted infections including HIV-AIDS is becoming a national problem. It is important that public awareness campaigns through the media (TV, educational films, radio, print media) and peer education is carried out on a wider scale. Some teachers are still not willing to teach sex education in schools because they feel that programmes should just talk about abstentions from sex and nothing on safe sex methods. This is not practical and realistic, given that already, many high school students are sexually active. Ignorance of sexual and reproductive health issues can exacerbate the problems of sexually transmitted infections and HIV-AIDS.

Many parents are unwilling to allow their teenage children to attend peer education programmes. They have the inaccurate perception that groups like the FCEA are exaggerating the issues. They forget that we are sitting on a time bomb and that it is important that a comprehensive school and community education programme is mounted to alleviate STIs and HIV-AIDS. Both teachers organisations and principals' association should advocate for compulsory sex education in schools. Outside of the school, agencies, ministries and NGOs working in reproductive and sexual health should co-ordinate their efforts to avoid duplication and waste of limited resources.

Fiji's Daily Post

Gay consent case is finally settled

Tanya Thompson

WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH 2001 - The Scotsman

Euan Sutherland says the law violated his rights

At the age of 17 he made legal history. As a gay teenager, he began legal action which would force the British government to lower the age of consent for gay men.

Six years on, Euan Sutherland’s ground-breaking legal challenge was finally settled at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg yesterday. Mr Sutherland, 23, claimed fixing the age of consent between gay men at 18, rather than 16 (the age limit for women) violated his human rights.

He first became involved in the campaign after responding to a questionnaire in a magazine published by the gay rights group, Stonewall, which backed the case.

"I was only 17 when I started the legal action and we’ve come a long way since then. The law needed to be changed, it was ridiculous. It was insulting for them to say that at the age of 16 you can’t make a choice about your sexuality. It was a huge step for me, but I hope that in some way I’ve helped put an end to discrimination of gays and lesbians in Britain."

Although sexually active at the age of 16, both he and his partner were worried that under the law they were committing an offence. In 1990, there were more than 300 convictions against gay men breaking the age of consent laws. Mr Sutherland, a training manager for a communications company in London, believes that by launching the case at the European Court he embarrassed the government into changing the law.

In December, the Prime Minister steamrollered legislation through to lower the age of consent for gay sex to 16 despite concerted opposition.

He brushed aside appeals to reconsider from MPs, peers and religious leaders, insisting the Bill had to become law in the interests of equality. Critics argued the higher age of consent protected young people from homosexual activities which their lack of maturity might later cause them to regret.

Mr Sutherland disagrees. He believes sexuality is "set" long before the age of 16. He was 12 when he realised he was gay.

It was four years before he told his parents, Norman, who works as an education administrator and his mother Catriona, a nurse. His family, originally from the Isle of Muck, is now based in London although his 82-year-old granny still lives there.

"It wasn’t until I was 16 that I plucked up the courage to speak to my folks," he said.

"They were enormously supportive and not at all surprised. When I told my brother, he just laughed and said he had known for years.

"Even my grandmother knows I’m gay. It just wasn’t an issue for her. We often go back to Muck for a big clan gathering. She enjoys having her grandchildren around her. We’re all very different and I think she likes that. "

While the Government’s decision to change the law fulfills a pre-election pledge, the impetus was provided by Mr Sutherland. His lawyers argued the decision in 1994 to lower the age of consent from 21 to 18 breached his right to privacy and the right not to be discriminated against in his private life.

The Government was advised that it would lose the case if it went to court and ministers realised they would have to act.

Yesterday, the European Court of Human Rights finally halted the case following the change to the law in Britain and the government agreed to pay undisclosed costs to Mr Sutherland.

Debbie Gupta, director of policy for Stonewall, said the Sutherland case had improved the status of thousands of gay people in Britain: "The old age of consent law enshrined the principle of second class citizenship for gays. Thanks to Euan’s case, parliament has passed a law that equalises issues between straight and gay people throughout our society."

Lesbian taunts appeal

WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH 2001 - The Scotsman

Karen McVeigh

A lesbian teacher who says she was hounded out of her job by pupils taunting her about her sexuality took her battle for compensation to the Court of Appeal yesterday.

Shirley Pearce, 53, claims that her school failed to prevent her from a "campaign of harassment" from pupils. She complained to the headmaster, only to be told to "grit her teeth" and that if she did not like it, she could "run away".

The school, Mayfield Secondary School in Portsmouth, is being represented by the Prime Minister’s wife, Cherie Booth.

Miss Pearce, who retired due to ill health brought on by five years of harassment, told the court the problems started when she went to gay venues and the pupils heard about it. Miss Pearce took the school to an employment tribunal in 1999, claiming she was sexually discriminated against because the school did not treat the abuse seriously enough. It ruled that although Miss Pearce did suffer abuse, it was not because she was a woman.

A subsequent employment appeal tribunal ruled a gay man would also have been subject to abuse, therefore her case was not covered by the Sex Discrimination Act. The tribunal found that Miss Pearce was subjected to substantial campaign of harassment for five years.

Yesterday, Miss Pearce, who is backed by gay group Stonewall appealed against the decision, arguing she had still been sexually harassed.

The hearing continues.

Prosecutions Office bungles up another high profile case

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 27 2001

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution has again failed to prosecute a case involving a 1998 roadblock to the Monasavu Hydro-electricity dam.

The high profile case involved a group of politicians and villagers who blocked the access to the dam and posted traditionally clad `warriors' at the dam access. The then SVT government of Sitiveni Rabuka had to mobilise the military to the area to clamp down on the group. This was the first post-independence confrontation involving the military and ethnic Fijian villagers.

Yesterday the accused were let go by the Chief Magistrate Salesi Temo on grounds that the prosecution office had failed to get its witnesses in the case to the court. The Fiji Sun reports that the Prosecution office, Jo Waqavolavola told the court that his office was not prepared to bring the witnesses to the court. Magistrate Temo stated that it was a waste of time and dismissed the case.

The accused included Samuela Konataci who is now facing treason charges together with terrorist George Speight and others.

Meanwhile, today only one newspaper, the Fiji Sun reported the dismissal of the case. The state-owned Daily Post covered its local news pages with news from the Pacific Island region like ecotourism in Tonga, viability of Niue, revenue collection in Solomon Islands, and vanilla growers in PNG.

Regime resorts to threats again

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 27 2001

The Qarase regime has again resorted to threats to those championing democracy and the rule of law.

In a statement on the most recent court challenge of the legality of the Qarase regime, the regime's Information Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola threatened that the challenge was reckless. He stated that the applicants, the Citizen's Constitutional Forum is "adopting an unrealistic, reckless and rigid legalistic position on Fiji's crisis. The CCF's threat of politically-inspired legal attack on His Excellency the President and the Caretaker Government underlines its hard-line and aggressive stance." He stated that the actions of the CCF were "provocative".

Kubuabola also alleged that "special agenda" drove the CCF to "their relentless campaign against the President and the Caretaker Government." He stated: "Who are they reporting to and which organisations or individuals provide the money to finance their work, Ratu Inoke asked. "What results are they expected to deliver to justify their funding? Are foreign interests using the CCF as a front for interfering in Fiji's internal affairs?"

By challenging the regime, Kubuabola alleged that the CCF was "rejecting outright the moderate, practical and reasonable solutions" proposed by the regime. He charged that this is "an uncompromising and legalistic response, which will aggravate the current situation", as well as it "may disrupt the timetable for an early election and create more instability". He further stated that the move created "more uncertainty, deepening racial divisions and further damaging economic confidence".

Lambasting the CCF, Kubuabola questioned the insistence of the CCF for democracy and justice. He claimed that the CCF's position was that those who differed from this path "have no principles; they are racists, extremists and potential criminals."

The attack on the CCF by the regime is a standard practise which the regime relies on to silence its critics. The hall mark of the regime is to threaten further blood shed if it were made to quit power.

The current regime comprises people who have no respect for democracy. They are overtly racist, extremist, and many are corrupt. Some of them were also involved actively with the terrorists who took over Parliament last year.

NFP turns blind eye to Constitutional breaches

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 27 2001

The National Federation Party, which tried to take all credit for the 1997 Constitution, has refused to comment on the fundamental breaches of the 1997 Constitution by the President and the Qarase regime.

The breaches by regime authorities have been criticised internationally, including condemnation by the Commonwealth of Nations, and numerous foreign governments including the USA. But at home, through its silence the NFP has joined the political parties supporting the illegal regime.

According to media reports, the NFP stated "we must be realistic", and "we must support the process [of elections] as the practical way forward". Accepting the Qarase regime's plan, the NFP has also accepted the legitimacy of the Qarase regime.

The NFP's acceptance of the unlawful acts of the regime reveal the true colors of the party. One veteran political observer and a former member of the NFP stated that the silence of the party over the unlawful acts and the breach of the Constitution represents the influence of the party financiers on the party hierarchy. He claims that the party represents the interests of big businesses, particularly ethnic Indian businesses, and that most of them were upset with the People's Coalition Government's moves to bring about a level commercial field, transparency in government dealings, and an end to tax avoidance and evasion in the country.

Meanwhile rumours are rife of a coalition between the NFP and the group of politicians which Qarase represents, to fight the next election.

Banks tighten screws

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 26 2001

Commercial banks have continued to take tougher stand to recover their loans.

One commercial bank has asked its customers to refinance their loans for which the bank holds bills of sales. Another has already taken stringent measures to start recovering debts. Yet another bank has brought in specialists from other countries to ensure that its high exposure loans continue to be serviced. Another bank, the Bank of Hawaii is reportedly considering closing its Fiji offices.

The moves follow the rapid decline in the economy and the continuing loss of investor confidence in the nation in the wake of the Qarase regime's rejection of the Fiji Court of Appeal decision. Independent projections by business analysts and economists all point to a dreary picture of the economy. The worst hit sectors of the economy are tourism, manufacturing especially garment and footwear, building and construction, wholesale and retail trade, and sugar. Over the recent past, the greatest exposure of commercial banks was in the tourism sector. But with the tourism sector down, most hotels which were recently financed are in serious financial trouble. A recently opened hotel is also reportedly facing financial ruin.

Meanwhile, the Suva retailers Association has cried out at the high charges and fees levied by commercial banks. Media reports state the Retailers representative Himmat Lodhia as saying that the banks "continue to raise their charges and introduce new ones for the smallest errands." Lodhia also called for the regime Finance minister to wake up: "The Minister of Finance and the authorities should wake up and legislate some of the findings [of the Banking Inquiry report]." Lodhia and numerous members of his association are prominent supporters of the Qarase regime. Many ethnic Indian businessmen allegedly had financed the terrorist George Speight and his band to overthrow the People's Coalition Government.

The People's Coalition Government had frozen all bank fees and charges, had announced the establishment of a banking commission and a Banking Ombudsman, and was in the process of implementing the Banking Inquiry committee recommendations. The Qarase regime halted all these initiatives

Commerce chamber expresses concern at sliding economy

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 25 2001

THE Fiji Chamber of Commerce has a finally managed to gather enough courage to publicly say that the Fiji economy is rapidly slipping.

The concern was expressed at the Chamber's Annual meeting on Friday. The concern was expressed after the address of the Chief Guest, the American Ambassador Osman Saddique. Saddique stated that Fiji's reputation overseas had slipped rapidly and that the country was not associated with long term political instability. He stated that the country was plagued with such instability for the past 15 years. He stated: "An unstable political and economic environment has severely limited Fiji's ability to attract capital to rebuild the essential infrastructure without which businesses can not expand".

The Chamber of Commerce took the bold step of becoming a part of the Fiji Blues Campaign calling for the reinstatement of democracy and the 1997 Constitution. But since after the early days of the Blues campaign, the Chamber took a relatively backseat. More recently, the Chamber's President Natwarlal Vagh had welcomed the reappointment of Laisenia Qarase as Prime Minister despite the fact that the appointment was unlawful. Vagh is a renown middleman. Most middlemen in Fiji benefits from the Qarase regime's lack of transparency and good governance.

Vagh was replaced by business executive Taito Waradi at the AGM.

Constitutional case filed

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 24 2001

A writ has been filed on Friday in the Suva High Court challenging the decision of the President to dissolve Parliament and appoint Laisenia Qarase as the Prime Minister.

The writ has been filed by the law firm of Howards on behalf of the Citizen's Constitutional Forum as the first applicant, and People's Coalition Government's Deputy Prime Ministers Adi Kuini Speed and Dr. Tupeni Baba, Assistant Minister for Fijian Affairs Ratu Isireli Vuibau, and SVT's parliamentarian Ratu Kinijioji Maivalili as the second applicants.

The writs claims:
· That Ratu Josefa Iloilo has acted unconstitutionally when he failed to summon Parliament;
· That the dissolution of the Parliament on 14 March was inconsistent with the Constitution and that the Parliament still exists;
· That the appointment to Laisenia Qarase as caretaker Prime Minister on March 15 is illegal;
· That the dissolution of Parliament and the appointment of a caretaker government be stayed;
· That the Parliament be summoned without delay; and
· That the respondents in the case pay legal costs to the applicants.

But there are doubts over whether the writ will be accepted. The Chief Justice, Sir Timoci Tuivaga informed the Fiji Times that he had seen the writ and had passed it to Justice Daniel Fatiaki. "The decision on whether it will be accepted or not will be made by Justice Fatiaki", the CJ was quoted as telling the Fiji Times.

Justice Fatiaki is reportedly one of the three judges who had participated in the drafting of military decrees.

Earlier the Citizens Constitution Forum together with numerous other NGOs' had accused the three judges of misconduct and had called for their sacking from the judiciary.

Some in the legal fraternity believe that it is highly improper for the CJ to give the file to one of the judges who had earlier been accused by the principal applicant in this case of misconduct, and whose sacking was called for by the applicant in this case. The other two judges accused of misconduct are the Chief Justice Sir Timoci Tuivaga, and Justice Michael Scott.

Gates enrages Tuivaga

March 26 2001 - By Margaret Wise

CHIEF Justice Sir Timoci Tuivaga has suggested that controversial judge Justice Anthony Gates find work elsewhere if he has no respect for the hierarchy of administrative power and authority within the judiciary.

He also accused Justice Gates of harming relations among judges by indulging in "judicial perversity'' by making "ill-considered attacks'' on two senior judges.

The attack followed Justice Gates' refusal to entertain a directive by the Chief Justice that no court action surrounding the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo and Caretaker Government be accepted by the High Court in Lautoka.

In the circular dated March 20, 2001, the Chief Justice said any such court action should be dealt with by the High Court in Suva.
But in reply the same day, Justice Gates challenged Sir Timoci to indicate the basis or legal foundation for the directive.
Sir Timoci then responded the next day with a two-page lecture on what he thought of Justice Gates' conduct over recent months, particularly on the Chandrika Prasad case.

"Lest you do not appreciate it, the directive was issued in my capacity as Chief Justice and Head of the Judiciary in the Republic of Fiji. It was issued in pursuance of my overall responsibility for the proper and effective administration of court business throughout Fiji,'' Sir Timoci said.

"Your precipitate conduct to go it alone without heeding CJ's advice in relation to the Chandrika Prasad case in defiance of administrative protocol was foolhardy. This was so in as much as there were other constitutional cases pending at the time that could have been looked at.
"The haste with which you seemed bent to commence and dispose of the Chandrika Prasad case has raised questions about the integrity of the judicial system. Standing on technical rules of procedure by invoking your own interpretation thereon to justify your action was highly inappropriate in view of my clear directions on the matter.''

Sir Timoci said in the same case Justice Gates "went outside the proper bounds of propriety by launching a gratuitous and ill-considered personal attack on two judges more senior than yourself''.

"Why you saw fit to indulge in such judicial perversity in breach of the judicial culture of this country defies comprehension. "At the heart of that culture is the respect a judge should have for his fellow judges and the maintenance of the court and personal dignity.

Criticising another judge in one's own court judgment is not smart but downright disgraceful and odious. It is unprecedented in court circles.
"Your action has had the unfortunate effect of exposing the judicial service to public opprobrium, not to mention the great harm it has done and is doing to the collegial goodwill that should exist among judges in this country. The five members of the Court of Appeal had no doubt found the whole thing most edifying by omitting to make any reference whatsoever in their judgment to the matter.

"If I may say so, the foregoing highlights the extreme importance of recognising and respecting the hierarchy of administrative power and authority within the judiciary of this country. If a judge or magistrate should feel unable to bring himself/herself to work within this established regime, such person would be well advised to explore other work environment where the rules of administrative propriety do not apply.''

Yadav delivers petition
Tuesday March 27, 2001

The Peoples' Organisation for Indo-Fijian Rights and Land Resolution yesterday delivered a petition to the British and Australian Embassies demanding more detailed information on the conditions of the indentured labourers who came into the country in the last century.

They believe that the future of the Indians is politically unsettled and unresolved which is not the result of their own doings.

"The Organisation feels that the British Government which was the sovereign ruler at the time when the indenture scheme started should bear the sole and absolute responsibility of the destiny of the Indians in Fiji," Dr Niraj Sumweshwar Yadav, the chairman of the Organisation said.

"Great Britain should have the foresight in safeguarding the future rights of the indentured labourers and their descendants."

The Organisation is negotiating with its counter-parts in Canberra and London to pursue the matter.

While the British Embassy received the petition, the Australian Embassy refused to accept it in person and asked it to be posted.

"The Organisation feels that while the Australian government has a direct interest in political matters of Fiji, it sees no reason as to why the authorities can't come out and receive our grievances."

The petition, according to Dr Yadav mentioned Australia as the second defendant in the case which led to the political uncertainties and loss of land rights which they had enjoyed since the inception of the indenture system of the Indians in Fiji.

The Indians in Fiji are direct descendants of the Indian farmers who were brought into Fiji under the indentured labour system and scheme. "With the political upheavals here in Fiji, the indigenous landowners are using their right to occupy lands which Indians farm on, and they become victims with no where to go to," said Dr Yadav.

The petition stated that Great Britain should have had the foresight in safeguarding the future rights of the indentured labourers and their descendants in Fiji after the cessation of the indenture system.

The Organisation further noted that Australia and India are the other two benevolent nations that benefited from the scheme in at least some form or manner and should also bear the responsibility of the status of the Indians who stand disenfranchised in the very country which they regarded as their mother land - Fiji.

Fiji's Daily Post

Christian Democratic want Qarase to lead
Tuesday March 27, 2001

The Christian Democratic Party wants caretaker Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to lead a united Fijian political party in the August general election.

But because Mr Qarase is not aligned to any political party so far, the Democrats will offer him the position of Party Leader in the new look Christian Democratic Party or the Veitokani ni Lewenivanua Vakarisito.

If Mr Qarase accepts the party leadership, he will replace former Agriculture Minister Poseci Bune, who has since been dismissed from the party.

Party President Ratu Josaia Rayawa was to have conveyed the Democrats offer to Mr Qarase yesterday. However, when this edition went to press last night it was not clear whether Mr Qarase had accepted the offer.

The Democrats believe Mr Qarase is the best man available to lead Fiji out of the political quagmire the country is in now. "If we win the election Mr Qarase will automatically become Prime Minister.

That is what we want," party sources said last night.

This was agreed to at the Christian Democrats management board meeting in Suva last weekend. Ratu Josaia will take the proposal through to the Fijian Political Forum meeting scheduled for Thursday.

While the party was non committal on the move last night, party sources said the Christian Democrats will also push for Ratu Josaia to lead the Forum into the general election as the Forum's president.

"With the SVT badly fragmented and hopelessly divided, the best alternative is to appoint Ratu Josaia as the Forum's president," party officials said. "But the party is unanimous in its deliberation that Mr Qarase, should lead the Forum's team in parliament.

"We have to make a stand now and push for Mr Qarase as our leader," the official said. But it may not be as smooth sailing as the Democrats want. Fijian political parties are badly fragmented - the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei being the worst hit.

Not only have the Nationalists refused to work with them, party officials are split among themselves with the Vanua Levu faction forming a new party using the George Speight tidal wave as its foundation.

Fiji's Daily Post

Garment workers without jobs
Tuesday March 27, 2001

ANOTHER 92 garment workers in Lautoka are the latest victims of yet another adhoc garment factory closure in the country.

The employees of Nu-Star Clothing Company limited were caught unawares that the factory had ceased operation and its management fled the country with the bulk of machines from the factory.

Many of the workers were speechless as their only source of income has vanished.

According to Labour Officer Lautoka Vishnu Deo, apart from the 92 workers losing their jobs, they have not been paid their two weeks leave pay.

"The director, Rodney Barclay without notifying the workers, we understand he left the country taking with him nearly all the machines in the factory.

"The department at the moment is trying its best to get the workers paid," said Mr Deo.

Fiji Trade Union Congress National Secretary Felix Anthony condemned the actions of various garment manufacturers in the country who have left without notice..

"We strongly believe the FTIB should be more cautious while allowing foreign garment investors in the country.

"After the crisis last year we are now seeing a number of foreign garment manufacturers closing down the factory without notice.
"This is a very big concern, and it must be stopped from occuring further," said Mr Anthony.

"The FTUC calls on the authorities concerned to talk to all garment manufacturers in the country with the aim of stopping any further occurrence of such situations," said Mr Anthony.

Yesterday's factory closure is the third in the country this year.

The Trident Garments, Radar Pacific and the NU-Star Clothing have closed doors while DG Garments and Forum Shoes are operating on a low after the Labour Department seized most of their assets for the workers to get paid.

Fiji's Daily Post

Disunity in Fijian politician parties widens
Tuesday March 27, 2001

THE Lautoka Taukei Movement has distanced itself from its sister group in Suva and severed all ties with the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei Party.

The disunity in Fijian political parties has widened with the movement's severing all ties because of a leadership struggle.

The movement's spokesperson Sikeu Malo said the upcoming general elections is going to be crucial and would affect Fijians in the long run and internal bickering within the so called grand coalition of Fijian parties was no help at all.

Mr Malo said they have decided to support the new Conservative Alliance Party.

The party is a break-away from SVT after disgruntled Macuata and Cakaudrove politicians and chiefs over leadership issues.

Although doubts have been raised over current efforts of uniting indigenous Fijians, Mr Malo said there were so many splits because leaders were more interested in their own personal gains.

Former MP Ratu Naiqama Lalabalvu will be in the Western Division sometimes this week to officially open the party's new branch in Lautoka.

Mr Malo said indigenous Fijians were also unhappy with caretaker Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's style of leadership.

"He is just playing into the hands of people who are just using him," he said.

Fiji's Daily Post

Chaudhry calls on Tuivaga to resign
Tuesday March 27, 2001

DEPOSED Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has called on Chief Justice Sir Timoci Tuivaga to resign for interfering with the due process of the courts.

"The actions of the Chief Justice since the political crisis of May 19 have come under strong criticisms from the Fiji Law Society, senior members of the bar and even his fellow judges," Mr Chaudhry said in a statement yesterday.

Mr Chaudhry said Sir Timoci continues to interfere with the courts as evident in his recent directive that all cases relating to the Constitution be handled by the High Court in Suva.

He added that Sir Timoci did not have any legal foundation for such directive.

"Instead of upholding the rule of law and the Constitution, the Chief Justice in fact provided advice to facilitate the abrogation of the Constitution and help draft military decrees.

"He took advantage of the state of lawlessness in the country to push his own self-interest through a decree which prolonged his term in office by extending the CJ's retirement age.

"Fiji is fortunate that some of its judges will not compromise on judicial ethics and the rule of law. These judges must prevail over those who have clearly demonstrated their inability to remain politically neutral," he said.

Mr Chaudhry has also expressed disbelief on media reports that Fiji Military Forces personnel in Vanua Levu had chalked up telephone bills or more than $5 million since May 19 when they were guarding the station.

He said tax-payers must be taken for granted by the armed forces of this country adding that all those involved in the scam should be held accountable and appropriate disciplinary action should be taken.

Telecom Fiji Chief Executive Winston Thompson has, however, refuted the media reports saying that the $5 million dollar bills were unsubstantiated.

Fiji's Daily Post

Ganilau raises concern over tragedy
Tuesday March 27, 2001

CARETAKER Minister for Social Welfare, Bernadette Ganilau yesterday voiced her concern over the weekend tragedy which involved the suicide of two young lovers.

Media reports stated that the two teenagers, 18 and 16-year-olds were found hanging from a single piece of rope embracing each other. It is believed, the two, who were found in a mangrove swamp in Muanikau outside Suva, had eloped.

"My prayers and thoughts go out to the parents of the youths who took their own lives," she said.

She said she hoped the tragedy would never happen again. "But then we are dealing with human nature."

Mrs Ganilau said she had talked earlier with Father Seluini Akau'ola, a renowned counsellor of the Marist Fathers Order to try to understand the grave concern of suicides.

According to Fr.Seluini, the basic ingredient of love is usually missing as well as the issue of family or kinship, whether it be a kinship of family, friends or by association with an individual or institution.

Fr.Seluini said the family or kinship was the last defence for an individual against his problems.

Mrs Ganilau reiterated this saying that in working out a problem, the last defence for assistance is the family.

When that last line of defence is missing there is very little point of no return," she said.

She said with young families, parents must realise their responsibilities in ensuring that children be given much love and concern. This, she said was the foundation of their lives.

Assistant director for Child and Family services at the Social Welfare department, Ana Delana said suicide was a new phenomenon youths were settling into.

"This is because they are victims of abuse, emotionally, physically and to some extent, sexually," she said.

"In the absence of a "safety net" for adolescents to turn to, for some this is the only option. It's sad really."
She added that as a social worker, the traditional mechanism of handling crisis was very weak.

Fiji Council of Social Services executive director, Hassan Khan said that for a small country like Fiji, it was alarming to see the rapid increase in suicide cases.

"It clearly indicates the need for programmes on young people to develop healthy relationships," he said.

Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police Sera Bernard said police had often emphasised to parents the importance of supervising their children.

"People should get professional advice on how to deal with personal problems so as to avoid such unfortunate incidents," she said.
Fiji Women's Crisis Centre coordinator, Shamima Ali said the incident was the repercussion of what was happening politically.

"It should never happen, particularly to young people," she said.

Fiji's Daily Post

Monday March 26 3:34 PM ET
U.S., Russia Break Up Internet Child Porn Ring

By Niala Boodhoo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. authorities said on Monday they had broken up an Internet child pornography ring based in Russia and arrested nine people in a joint operation with Moscow police.

The U.S. Customs Service said four Americans and five Russians had been arrested following a year-long investigation into the sale of explicit child pornography videos over the Internet, mainly to Americans, from a Web site called ``Blue Orchid'' run from a Moscow apartment.

The United States is conducting more than 20 separate investigations for child porn distribution and manufacturing as a result of Operation Blue Orchid and officials expect to make many more arrests, according to Dennis Murphy, an assistant U.S. Customs Service commissioner.

``You'll be hearing about arrests and indictments in Blue Orchid for the next two years,'' he told Reuters.

Investigations are also underway in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.

``We have to send a message: those who are using the Internet this way cannot hide,'' Acting U.S. Customs Commissioner Charles Winwood said at a news conference in Washington announcing the arrests.

First Arrests In December

Russian police made the first arrests in December when they took Sergey Garbko and Vsevolod Solntsev-Elbe into custody on suspicion of operating the ``Blue Orchid'' Web site, the U.S. Customs Service said.

Moscow and U.S. Customs officials have since arrested three more people in Russia and four others in the United States.

Customs officials dismissed current tensions between Russia and the United States over diplomats accused of spying, saying the cooperative effort between the Moscow police and U.S. customs began early last year.

``The Russians came to us and then we worked together,'' the head of the U.S. Custom's Cybersmuggling Center, Kevin Delli-Colli, said at the news conference. ``It's not enough to work in your own unique environment, and then pass on the information.''

The initial Russian arrests led U.S. Customs officials to the Portage, Indiana, home of Glenn Martikean, who has been indicted on six federal counts of trading in pornography and traveling with the intent of having sex with minors.

Customs officials could not provide information about the other U.S. arrests, which occurred in Massachusetts and New York, or investigations in California and Utah, because charges have not yet been filed.

A ``Growth Industry''

The ``Blue Orchid'' site operated from March to December last year and sold several hundred videos to at least 80 customers world-wide, Delli-Colli said.

The films, which sold for $200 to $300 per video, featured sexual abuse of young Russian boys. Just before the site was shut down, the group had begun making child porn films to order and charging $5,000 per video, Delli-Colli said.

Delli-Colli called child pornography on the Web the ``biggest illicit business on the Internet.''

``It's definitely a growth industry,'' he said.

Legality of Fiji govt challenged in court

Times of India - 26 March 2001

NADI, Fiji: A coalition of pro-democracy campaigners and lawmakers ousted in last year's nationalist coup has filed court papers challenging the legality of Fiji's newly installed caretaker government.

A spokesman for the Citizens' Constitutional Forum told The Associated Press on Saturday that the challenge had been filed with Fiji's High Court.

The forum and four elected lawmakers from the dismissed government of ousted prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry claim president Ratu Josefa Iloilo acted unconstitutionally when he installed a caretaker government to guide Fiji to August elections.

Chaudhry, Fiji's first ethnic Indian premier, was toppled May 16 by nationalist gunmen determined to rein in the growing political and economic influence of the large Indian minority.

On March 15, Iloilo formally appointed former bureaucrat Laisenia Qarase as Fiji's caretaker prime minister. Qarase had been serving in the function since being installed by the military shortly after the coup.

Iloilo's move - which also involved officially firing Chaudhry and dissolving Parliament - followed a Court of Appeal ruling that Qarase's initial appointment by the Army was illegal.

The pro-democracy movement is calling for Qarase's government to be declared illegal along with Iloilo's decree dissolving Parliament, which has not sat since the coup.

It also asks the court to rule that the pre-coup Parliament should be recalled.

Among the lawmakers who signed the court challenge are ousted deputy prime minister Dr Tupeni Baba, and former Cabinet ministers Adi Kuini Speed and Ratu Isireli Vuibau.

Chief Justice Sir Timoci Tuivaga told the Fiji Times newspaper on Saturday, he had passed the challenge to a High Court judge for consideration.

It was not immediately clear when the challenge would be heard in court, or if a decision could be reached before democratic elections scheduled to start Aug. 25. Qarase's government did not immediately react.

In a sworn affidavit to the court, Vuibau claimed Iloilo agreed to the recall of Parliament in a meeting only days before he dismissed it.

He said Iloilo had told the mid-March meeting he believed Baba should head a government of national unity. Like Qarase and Iloilo, Baba in an indigenous Fijian.

After the caretaker government was appointed, attorney-general Alipate Qetaki said it was inevitable there would be some illegalities as the country scrambled back to democratic rule.

The caretaker government "would have to do some things that might not be in accordance with the law or the constitution," he said.

"But you need to do those things to get (back) to the constitution."

Indians make up 44 percent of Fiji's 840,000 population. (AP)

Pro-democracy group challenges Fiji Govt

SouthNexus.com

NADI, Mar 25: A coalition of pro-democracy campaigners and lawmakers ousted in last year's nationalist coup has filed court papers challenging the legality of Fiji's newly installed caretaker Government.

A spokesman for the Citizens' Constitutional Forum told reporters that the challenge had been filed with Fiji's High Court.

The forum and four elected lawmakers from the dismissed Government of ousted Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry claim President Ratu Josefa Iloilo acted unconstitutionally when he installed a caretaker Government to guide Fiji to August elections.

Chaudhry, Fiji's first ethnic Indian Premier, was toppled on May 16 last by nationalist gunmen. On March 15, Iloilo formally appointed former bureaucrat Laisenia Qarase as Fiji's caretaker Prime Minister. Qarase had been serving in the function since being installed by the military shortly after the coup.

Iloilo's move -- which also involved officially firing Chaudhry and dissolving Parliament -- followed a Court of Appeal ruling that Qarase's initial appointment by the army was illegal.

The pro-democracy movement is calling for Qarase's Government to be declared illegal along with Iloilo's decree dissolving Parliament, which has not sat since the coup. It also asks the court to rule that the pre-coup Parliament should be recalled.

The lawmakers who signed the court challenge include ousted deputy Premier Dr. Tupeni Baba and former Cabinet Ministers Adi Kuini Speed and Ratu Isireli Vuibau.

Fiji govt dismisses rumours of Speight pardon

Times of India - 26 March 2001

SUVA: Fiji's caretaker government has denied speculations that it intends to pardon coup leader George Speight and his associates.

The attorney general in the caretaker government, Alipate Qetaki, said Speight and his group, charged with treason for overthrowing the Mahendra Chaudhry government, would face the due process of law.

Qetaki's comments follow a representation from Speight's legal team that the group be freed to speed up reconciliation amongst indigenous Fijians, in whose name the coup was carried out against Chaudhry, Fiji's first Indo-Fijian prime minister.

The request was presented at the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) meeting earlier this month, where it was reported that some chiefs were in favour of pardoning the group.

Caretaker Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's comments on the issue some time back also led to speculation that Speight and his group, who held Chaudhry and other ministers hostage in Parliament for 56 days, may walk free.

Qarase said he was not interested in pursuing the treason charge. He said there were worst people than Speight who were walking around free and questioned why the Western powers were not going after them. Qarase's spokesman later said his comments had been taken out of context.

"What is clear is that there are some powerful people in government and the Great Council of Chiefs who would like to see the rebels freed," a source said.

The chiefs last week re-appointed a known Speight supporter, Jope Seniloli, vice-president although he is still under investigation for his alleged role in the coup. Seniloli took oath as the rebel's president in their self-appointed government.

"Should Seniloli become president, a presidential pardon is waiting for Speight," a legal source said. Qetaki, however, reiterated that the caretaker government has no intention of giving a pardon to Speight and his co-accused. (IANS)

Disunity
Monday March 26, 2001

A NEW indigenous forum of Fijian political parties formed on the weekend casts doubts on the current efforts of uniting indigenous Fijians before the general elections in August.

The Taukei Civilians Political Parties Forum was formed on Saturday in Kalokolevu outside Lami during a meeting between hard liners, the New Nationalist Party and the Fijian Nationalist Vanua Tako Lavo Party.

On Saturday the parties also agreed to merge under Fijian Nationalist Vanua Tako Lavo Party, party official Viliame Savu announced yesterday.

The two parties last week broke away from recently formed Fijian Political Parties Forum because they said the Forum was predominantly a Soqosoqo Vakavulewa ni Taukei entity.

A delegation led by Ratu Josaia Rayawa, president of the Veitokoni Lotu Vakarisito Party, to request the group to join Fijian Parties Forum returned unsuccessful.

Ratu Josaia and a bus load of supporters presented a tabua and yaqona to the group during the meeting.

"We turned down the request and formed the new Taukei Civilian Political Parties Forum. We are inviting other Fijian parties to join us," Mr Savu said yesterday.

He said the SVT was trying take the leadership role in the Fijian Political Parties Forum - made of five predominantly Fijian parties.
"We'll go back only if SVT goes out. Right now, it's all sweet talk, but as soon as they get what they want they stab Fijians in the back," Mr Savu, who walked-out from Fijian Political Parties Forum earlier in the month, said.

"Fijians should open their eyes. SVT led Fiji for seven years and problems we face today is because of their ignorance," Mr Savu said.

The Fijian Political Parties Forum which was formed last month wants all Fijian to be united, not necessarily under one umbrella but in the concerns regarding indigenous Fijians.

Initial members of the Forum were SVT, VLV, a faction of Fijian Association Party, New Nationalist and Fijian Nationalist Vanua Tako Lavo.

Forum spokesperson Esira Rabonu said the only way to move Fijians forward was to fight the elections together.

Mr Savu said a delegation of Nationalist Fijian Vanua Tako Lavo members will visit the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, to petition for the release of coup leader George Speight and his group on Nukulau Island.

A meeting will be held on August 7 at Raiwai.

Fiji's Daily Post

CCF's action can cause instability :Rt Inoke
Monday March 26, 2001

THE Citizens Constitution Forum lawsuit against the State could create more instability and disrupt the timetable for the election, Minister for Information and Communications Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said.

The Forum filed a writ at the High Court in Suva on Friday challenging the decision of the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo in dissolving Parliament and appointing a Caretaker regime headed by banker Lasenia Qarase.

Ratu Inoke said the decision to challenge the president and the Caretaker Government in court would aggravate the political crisis.
While Government respected the Forum's rights, he said, they were unrealistic, reckless and legalistic in their stance on the Fiji crisis.

"The Forum's threats of politically inspired legal attack on Ratu Iloilo and the Government underlines its hard-line and aggressive stance," he said.

"The Forum is rejecting outright the moderate, practical and reasonable solutions proposed by his excellency.
"It has opted instead for an uncompromising and legalistic response, which will aggravate the current situation," he added.
Ratu Inoke said the general elections was proposed to be held from August 25 to September 1, 2001.

"By September, Constitutional legitimacy will be fully restored and Fiji can look at resuming its membership of the Commonwealth in October, however, now the Forum with the Fiji Labour Party is attempting to overturn plans for taking the country back through elections, to the 1997 Constitution."

The minister said the court action would hinder the process Ratu Iloilo has set in motion: to abide by the decision of Court of Appeal.
He said the Forum was creating more uncertainty, deepening racial divisions and further damaging economic confidence.
Ratu Inoke said it was becoming obvious the Forum was out of step with the national mood and the newly supportive stance of Australia and New Zealand and the Commonwealth.

He further added that many countries and institutions have always been sympathetic to Fiji's plights and expressed an understanding of the circumstances which led to the chaos in Fiji.

Many people in Fiji, Ratu Inoke said, would like to know what special agenda drives Rev Yabaki and his colleagues in their relentless campaign against the president and the Caretaker Government.

Fiji's Daily Post

Reconciliation programmes successful: Tikotikoca
Monday March 26, 2001

NATIONWIDE reconciliation programmes with various community groups have been successful so far, says Director of Police Uniformed Operations, Senior Superintendent Romanu Tikotikoca.

Ever since the unfortunate events of May 19 last year, police have made an effort to strengthen and maintain ties between families, friends and communities.

This, he said, has been made possible through help from ministries which have the resources like the Ministry of Youth, Employment and Sports.

The Police Department has been visiting places like Dawasamu and Muainaweni, areas which were targeted by thugs during the height of the crisis.

Last week, another programme was held at Nakorolevu, Namara in Tailevu with the theme, "Youth and Crime, Effects of Marijuana."
It was aimed at youths and was facilitated by police, the Tailevu Youth Council and the Ministry of Youth.

Present at the programme were SSP Romanu Tikotikoca, village heads, representatives from the Ministry of Youth, Tailevu Provincial Council and Reverend Aporosa Rageci from the Fiji Prison Fellowship.

Reverend Rageci, a former prisoner, shared his testimony and talked about what he encountered while in jail.

"It is nothing to be proud of really. Peer pressure is something which conforms us into what we are thus ruining our relationship with others because of the consequences of what we do.

"Let me assure you, drugs will only land you in jail or worse still in a mental institute. It will not bring any good to you. When ex-prisoners return to their homeland after spending time in prison, they are rejected by society because of who they were and what they did.

"Of course this doesn't help at all. This type of attitude makes them even more notorious," Rev Rageci said.

He talked about his experiences and how he realized God's love for him while in prison. This is when he decided to become a completely reformed person, a result of what he is today.

He has been overseas since, preaching the Word of God and conducting fellowships in prisons. According to him, all over the world, indigenous people make up the highest percentage of prison populations.

"And we can change that, we still have time. Most importantly we have our God who can change us. With Him nothing is impossible," he said.

SSP Tikotikoca told villagers at Nakorolevu they could solve their own problems traditionally if they cooperate.

"It is our duty as members of the community or as a village to help one another. Law and order is also an important issue that must be maintained."

SSP Tikotikoca also said that priority lies in the home and parents were responsible for their children.

"Nowadays parents lack commitment and priority and concentrate on non-important factors such as choir practice, grog sessions and other traditional obligations."

This, he said, resulted in children being neglected. "And when children are left alone they tend to do a lot of things especially with their peers," he said.

Josefa Kamikamica, the local chief said he was grateful to police and the youth ministry for organising such beneficial programmes for their youths.

"This is the first time something like this has been set up. Our youths are living in the dark and they never get educated on such important issues. After all this is only for their betterment," he said.

Meanwhile, another workshop was organised for youths at Wainibokasi.

Its main objective was to promote self-employment through small businesses such as farming, screen painting and lawn mowing.
Kitione Tuapati, senior youth officer from the youth ministry said one of the reasons for the workshop was that a lot of projects run by youths in the past had failed because of the lack of basic skills.

Training officer Aminiasi Delana added that this was the first of its kind.

"We used to conduct only awareness programmes before, but never on actual training," he said.

The workshop was a jointly sponsored police and ministry of youth.

Fiji's Daily Post

Fiji must commit to stability: US
Saturday March 24, 2001

Fiji must make an extraordinary commitment to stability and good governance if it is to join the global economy, says Osman Siddique, the American ambassador to Fiji.

Siddique was speaking at the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry meeting in Suva today attended by about 30 businessmen.

He said that Fiji once seen as a romantic tropical paradise has now become famous for changing governments "often without notice".

A successful businessman himself, Siddique said for those from the outside who want to do business in Fiji, this pattern of political change is quite unsettling.

He stressed that the heart of the free market system is stability, consistency and good governance.

"Business plans, models and budgets are meaningless in the absence of the above."

Once you remove stability from the market, whether it is a sudden change of government, the threat of violence or a change of investment and tax rules, businesses cannot plan for anything, he added.

He pointed out that when instability enters a marketplace, investors flee and businesses fail. Fiji must make a commitment to growth and capital formation, he reiterated.

He noted that during the past 15 years, Fiji not only suffered political upheavals, economic and financial convulsions but endured some of the lowest rates of private capital formation in the world.

In 1980-90, total private and public investment in Fiji averaged 19.9 per cent of the GDP. In 1990-1999, the average dropped to 12.4 per cent. The average for the developing world is between 20 to 30 per cent.

"The result of lacklustre private capital formation in Fiji during the last decade has been haphazard GDP and employment growth.

"And an unstable political and economic environment has severely limited Fiji's ability to attract capital to rebuild the essential infrastructure without which businesses cannot expand."

Siddique said that the vast economic potential of Fiji is still intact.

According to him, while the political development of Fiji has received the majority of coverage in the international press, it was the businesses of Fiji that "silently guided the country forward".

A case in point is Fiji Water "which has put the country on an international map in a positive and significant way and is now the 4th best selling imported bottled water brand in the competitive US market".

Siddique said Fiji has the three essential factors to make rapid economic growth possible: the land mass, the market and the labour force.

Apart from those basic requirements of growth Fiji needs to improve the institutional structure - a system of law and order and the physical infrastructure that make it possible to produce more of everything Fiji produces, he pointed out.

Fiji's Daily Post

Axe falls on Bune
Saturday March 24, 2001

THE once blue eyed boy of the Veitokoni ni Lewenivanua Vakarisito/Christian Democratic Alliance (VLV/CDA), Poseci Bune, was summarily dismissed from the party yesterday.

Deposed Agriculture minister Poseci Bune in Mahendra Chaudhry's Coalition government was one of the original founders of the party.

The party's Management Board met in Suva yesterday and endorsed an earlier decision to dismiss Mr Bune as party leader.

"We were forced to take this action because Mr Bune has not been in touch with the party or its executives since George Speight stormed parliament on May 19 last year," a party statement said last night.

"We have been trying to communicate with him ever since without success".

Since Mr Bune was released from 56 days of captivity in parliament has been aligning himself more closely with Mahendra Chaudhry.

He accompanied Mr Chaudhry on his world tour after their release and lived in the United States for almost six months.

In the current Coalition and the Fiji Labour Party leadership struggle, Mr Bune has been aligning himself more with the Chaudhry led faction of FLP.

Mr Bune resigned as Fiji's Ambassador to the United Nations to contest the 1999 general election under the Christian Democrats banner. He won his seat on a slim majority thanks to the preferential votes of the FLP. Efforts to get comments from Mr Bune were not successful. Meanwhile, the Democrats will try and woo the Nationalists back into the united Fijian Political Forum.

VLV leader Ratu Josaia Rayawa said it was important that Fijians be united in their quest for a victory in the August general elections.

Fiji's Daily Post

Dakai charged
Saturday March 24, 2001

A TWENTY two year old man charged with defiling a 12-year-old asked Magistrate Aminiasi Katonivualiku for a non custodial sentence at the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday. Tevita Dakai of Dakuiloa, Oneata, Lau pleaded guilty to the charges. In mitigation Dakai said he was married with a three month old child which his wife does not want to look after.

And if he was to be serve a prison term, Mr Dakai asked to serve it at Lakeba Prison. However, he was told that was between him and the prison authorities. Police prosecutor, Inspector Masibana Navunicagi told the court that on March 8, Mr Dakai had met the complainant at about 9pm at Waiqori village, Oneata and asked her to accompany him to an aunt's house.

When the two arrived, the house was empty and so they sat in the sitting room and chatted and it was there that Mr Dakai committed the offence.

The matter was unknown until a family member of the complainant found a letter from the complainant to the accused telling him that she did not want to go out with him anymore. The complainant's mother then questioned her and she admitted having had sexual intercourse with Dakai.

Mr Dakai was questioned by police and admitted the offence. He has been remanded in custody and will re-appear in court for sentencing on March 30.

Fiji's Daily Post

Saturday March 24 3:06 PM ET
Russian Blasts Kill 21, Injure More Than 140

MINERALNYE VODY, Russia (Reuters) - Twenty-one people were killed and more than 140 injured when three car bombs exploded on Saturday in volatile southern republics near Russia's rebel Chechnya (news - web sites) province.

Officials quickly linked the bombings to Chechen guerrillas and President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) vowed to punish those responsible.

``The toughest measures will be undertaken to find and punish those who ordered and carried out these despicable murders,'' Putin said in a message of condolences to the relatives of the victims.

Nineteen died and more than 100 were injured when a car bomb ripped through a busy market in the resort town of Mineralnye Vody in the Stavropol region, Putin's envoy Viktor Kazantsev said.

Emergency crews inspect the blast site in the center of the Russia's Caucasian city of Mineralnye Vody, March 24, 2001 in this picture taken from television footage. Ten people died when a car bomb ripped through a market in Mineralnye Vody in Russia's Stavropol region, which borders rebel Chechnya. (Reuters TV)

Two police bomb experts died in the neighboring republic of Karachayevo-Cherkessia while trying to remove an explosive device from the petrol tank of a car stopped at a police checkpoint.

Russian television said the car, whose driver has been detained, was apparently heading to the local capital of Cherkessk and suggested that the bomb was due to go off there.

Twelve other people were hurt, two seriously, when a third bomb exploded near a police station in the Stavropol town of Yessentuki shortly after the Mineralnye Vody blast.

Putin Vows To Punish Those Responsible

In Mineralnye Vody, mangled bodies were strewn across the street, lying where they had fallen in pools of blood besides burst shopping bags.

The twisted remains of the car carrying the device, and the wreckage of other vehicles were scattered across surrounding roads.

Some nearby buildings were badly damaged by the force of the blast, which blew out the windows of surrounding shops and other premises.

Kazantsev, a former commander of Russian troops in Chechnya, told state RTR television that the total number of injured stood at 142 with 40 in a grave condition.

Putin summoned his security chiefs for an emergency meeting, which came on the eve of a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori (news - web sites) in the Siberian city of Irkutsk.

He sent the head of the FSB domestic security service Nikolai Patrushev to the region and decided not to attend a World Cup qualifier soccer match between Russia and Slovenia.

Kremlin Aid Points Finger At Chechen Rebels

Sergei Ivanov, secretary of the influential Security Council that advises Putin, said Chechen rebels had probably launched the attacks in response to Moscow's efforts to restore order in the breakaway region.

``It's obvious that these were terrorist acts,'' Ivanov said in comments broadcast on state-owned ORT television.

``Much has been said that the predictable and clear policies of the federal center will make the leadership of the Chechen armed groups turn to the tactic of terrorist attacks, and not just in the territory of Chechnya.

``This is what is going on now,'' he said.

Putin's chief Chechnya spokesman Sergei Yastrzhembsky also linked the explosions to Chechen rebels.

The rebel's Web site www.kavkaz.org reported the blasts but contained no claim or denial of responsibility.

A number of bombs have exploded in southern Russia. Last December two people died in two explosions in the town of Pyatigorsk in the same region.

The explosions are often linked to unrest in Chechnya, where Russia is trying to scale back its forces after the second bloody crackdown against separatist rebels since 1994. Though federal troops nominally control all the mountainous republic, they fall prey daily to mines, grenade attacks and lightning guerrilla raids.

COMMITMENT
Sunday March 25, 2001

FIJI must make an extraordinary commitment to stability and good governance if it wishes to join the global economy, says the United States Ambassador to Fiji, Osman Siddique. Speaking at the Fiji Chamber of Commerce annual meeting at Noble House yesterday, Mr Siddique said that in the past 15 years, political volatility has made Fiji more famous than any other aspect of it.

"Fiji, known in the American mindset as a part of the romantic tropical paradise has now become famous for changing governments, often without notice," Mr Sidique said. "For those from the outside who want to do business in Fiji, this pattern of political change is quite unsettling."

The ambassador said businesses could not plan for anything once stability is removed from the market since the heart of the free market system is stability, consistency and good governance. "Whether it is a sudden change of government, the threat of violence or a change of investment and tax rule, when instability enters a marketplace, investors flee and businesses fail," Mr Siddique said.

According to him, the Fiji government must also learn to make a commitment to growth and capital formation. During the past 15 years, he said, Fiji suffered not only from political upheavals, economic and financial convulsions, but it also endured some of the lowest rates of private capital formation in the world.

He stated the result of lack-lustre private capital formation in Fiji during the last decade had been a haphazard GDP and employment growth. "An unstable political and economic environment has severely limited Fiji's ability to attract capital to rebuild the essential infrastructure without which businesses cannot expand." Mr Siddique added that while the political development in Fiji has received majority coverage in the international press, it was the businesses of Fiji that have silently guided the country forward.

"The World Bank concluded several years ago that Fiji can easily achieve five per cent and higher growth a year. "Fiji has the three essential factors to make rapid economic growth possible: the land mass, the market and the labour force," he said. "Apart from those basic requirements of growth, Fiji needs to improve the institutional structure, a system of law and order, and the physical infrastructure that make it possible to produce more of everything Fiji produces.

"The nations most likely to succeed in this new world in seizing the opportunities and meeting the threats of our time, are those that respond to the needs and aspirations of their people, promote commerce and cooperation instead of conflict and have the openness and flexibility to harness the winds of change.

"Working together, the United States and Fiji can help lead the way to an Asia Pacific region in which economic success and greater freedom advance together and support one another, a region in which growing opportunity is matched and strengthened by increasing freedom, stability, security and the rule of law."

Fiji's Daily Post

Rt lloilo's decision challenged in Court
Sunday March 25, 2001

A WRIT challenging the decision taken by the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo in appointing a Caretaker Government has been filed at the High Court in Suva. Filed by the Citizens Constitutional Forum on Friday with a supporting affidavit from former Assistant Minister for Fijian Affairs Isireli Vuibau, it also named Attorney-General Alipate Qetaki as the second respondent.

Named as second applicants in the writ are Former Deputy Prime Minister Adi Kuini Speed, Doctor Tupeni Baba, Ratu Kinijioji Maivalili and Deo Narain. The legal action is related to Ratu Iloilo's decision to dismiss Coalition leader, Mahendra Chaudhry as prime minister on March 15.

On the day before this however, the president had appointed as Prime Minister Ratu Tevita Momoedonu, who subsequently advised the former to dissolve Parliament in accordance with the 1997 Constitution. Ratu Tevita then resigned the prime ministership the morning after (March 15).

The following are the redress sought by the applicants:

• A declaration that Ratu Iloilo's actions on March 14 were inconsistent with the provisions of the 1997 Constitution when he failed to reconvene Parliament;
• a declaration that the dissolution of Parliament by the President on or about March 14 is inconsistent with provisions of the Constitution, and was therefore null and void. Accordingly, the Parliament that constituted after the May 1999 general elections exists and has not been dissolved;
• a declaration that the purported appointments of Senator Laisenia Qarase as Prime Minister and of other persons as ministers of a Caretaker Government for Fiji made on or about March 15 are inconsistent with the 1997 Constitution and each and such appointment is null and void;
• an order staying the purported dissolution of Parliament and the appointment of the prime minister and other ministers in the Caretaker Government; and a declaration that Parliament be summoned without further delay.

Fiji's Daily Post

Painter cops 3yr sentence
Sunday March 25, 2001

A PAINTER from Caubati will spend three years and four months in prison after pleading guilty of attempting to rape a 23-year-old woman last week. Jioji Aunima, 25, appeared before Magistrate Aminiasi Katonivualiku at the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.

Police prosecutor Inspector Masibana Navunicagi told the court that on March 16, the victim was on her way to Newtown Settlement to check out some second-hand clothing when she met Aunima. She asked Aunima if he knew of anyone in the area who was selling second clothes.

Aunima said he knew a pastor who was selling clothes and volunteered to take her to him. On the way, the court heard, Aunima pulled the victim into an empty house and demanded that she take off her clothes. The victim refused but he forced her on the ground and started undressing her forcefully.

While Aunima was doing this, the victim started screaming and a man passing by heard her and came to her rescue. The man also caught Aunima who had tried to escape. The matter was then reported to the Valelevu Police Station. In mitigation, Aunima told the court he had not intended to do it.

He also asked for a non custodial sentence as he was the sole breadwinner in his family. Magistrate Aminiasi Katonivualiku said attempted rape was a serious offence which carried a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. His mitigation was taken into consideration and he was sentenced accordingly.

Fiji's Daily Post

When love turns sour
Sunday March 25, 2001

BODIES of the young lovers who hanged themselves in the mangrove swamp near the children's park in Nasese on Friday morning were identified by relatives yesterday.

Police spokesperson Assistant Superintendent Sera Bernard yesterday said the lovers were teenagers. "The boy who worked as a mechanic was 18 years old and the girl was 16," ASP Bernard said.

According to her, the bodies were found by a Hindu priest who was carrying out religious rituals at the spot and he reported the matter to the Muanikau Police Post.

"They were found a little after 9am and were embracing each other hanging from a single piece of rope." ASP Bernard said some people reportedly saw the two walking along Queen Elizabeth Drive towards the park around 9am.

Witnesses at the scene said the girl's pants had writings which said "Love is blind" and the boy's mobile phone screen had a message declaring his love for the girl.

"Judging from what I saw, it looks like the two killed themselves because they felt they couldn't be together," one of the witnesses said. The incident has brought to 27 the number of suicide cases this year compared to 33 for the same period last year.

Fiji's Daily Post

Friday March 23 4:20 PM ET
Serbs Hand Over Bosnian Serb to UN War Crimes Court

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (Reuters) - Belgrade authorities handed over a Bosnian Serb wanted for alleged genocide to the Yugoslavia war crimes tribunal Friday, a groundbreaking move welcomed by the United Nations (news - web sites).

Milomir Stakic, accused of helping plan and set up notorious Bosnian detention camps in 1992 and 1993, was indicted along with two other war crimes suspects, both now dead, tribunal spokesman Jim Landale told Reuters.

``He has been transferred by the authorities in Belgrade,'' said Landale. Stakic, charged on one count of genocide, arrived in the Hague late Friday.

Yugoslavia has been under huge pressure to cooperate with the tribunal by transferring war crimes suspects to The Hague (news - web sites) for trial. Washington had threatened Belgrade with economic sanctions unless it started cooperating by March 31.

The most wanted suspects indicted by the tribunal are former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic (news - web sites), Bosnian Serb leader during the 1992-1995 Bosnian war Radovan Karadzic, and his military commander Ratko Mladic.

Serb media said Stakic, 39, had been arrested Thursday and one report said the arrest had been made in Belgrade.

U.N. chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte made clear in a statement the handover of Stakic was the kind of cooperation she had been crying out for.

``This is the first concrete sign of cooperation. I am satisfied and hope that this will continue and that all indictees living on the territory of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will be handed over in the near future,'' she said.

Serbia's Interior Ministry said in a statement that the Yugoslav Justice Ministry had requested two non-Yugoslavs, one of them Stakic, be extradited to the Hague tribunal. It was not clear who the second person might be.

``There are no legal obstacles for the extradition of foreign citizens and we have to respect international obligations signed by the Milosevic regime even if it is not pleasant,'' Yugoslav Interior Minister Zoran Zivkovic told Reuters.

``The tribunal in The Hague is a reality and we must be aware of our obligations,'' he added.

The previously secret indictment, issued in March 1997, also accused two others -- Simo Drljaca and Milan Kovacevic. Drljaca was killed in an operation to arrest him in July 1997 and Kovacevic died of natural causes while in custody in The Hague in 1998, Landale said.

``Encouraging Sign''

Stakic's transfer followed a visit to the tribunal this week by the justice ministers of Yugoslavia and Serbia -- the first visit by top Yugoslav officials to the war crimes court since Milosevic was ousted by reformers last October.

During his trip, Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic said his country would not harbor war criminals and would help send those indictees who were not Yugoslavs to the Hague court.

Tribunal President Claude Jorda called Stakic's transfer ``an encouraging sign coming from the new authorities in Belgrade.''

Serbia's Interior Ministry said it had received a note on March 16 from the Serbian Justice Ministry demanding the fulfillment of a Yugoslav Justice Ministry request to extradite two non-Yugoslav citizens to the Hague tribunal.

One of the two was Stakic, the interior ministry said. It did not indicate who the other might be.

The indictment against Stakic says he was the top member of the so-called Crisis Staff that orchestrated a campaign to destroy the non-Serb community in Prijedor, northwest Bosnia.

The Crisis Staff is alleged to have had ultimate authority over brutal detention camps such as Omarska and Keraterm, where prosecutors say hundreds of Bosnian Muslims and Croats were killed, tortured and sexually assaulted.

Friday March 23 5:14 PM ET
Bush Endorses Annan for New Term at United Nations

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush (news - web sites) endorsed U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) on Friday for a second term as the world's top diplomat, giving him a strong hand in his re-election bid.

``My administration thinks he is doing an excellent job as secretary-general of the United Nations (news - web sites) and therefore we heartily endorse his second term as the secretary-general,'' Bush told reporters as he stood with Annan outside the Oval Office.

President George W. Bush welcomes United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to the Oval Office in the White House, March 23, 2001. Annan announced earlier his intention to run for re-election as UN Secretary General and Bush said his administration would endorse him. (Larry Downing/Reuters)

Bush said he looked forward to ``working not only to make sure you serve a second term, but once that's done, work closely with you to keep the peace, make the world more prosperous.''

The Balkans, Iraq, AIDS (news - web sites), and African issues were on the agenda for a subsequent meeting between Annan and Bush, as well as the $1.7 billion in back dues and peacekeeping expenses the United States owes to the United Nations.

EU hails fresh polls
Saturday March 24, 2001

THE European Union has welcomed the Caretaker Government's decision to hold elections under the 1997 Constitution beginning August 25 this year. In a statement yesterday, the EU called on the Caretaker Government to ensure this timetable is adhered to and that election preparations begin well in advance.

"It is vital that these elections are free and fair and that all elements of Fijian society work together in a spirit of reconciliation to restore inclusive democratic rule in Fiji. " EU will continue to closely monitor progress towards elections and is desirous to pursue the cooperation with Fiji on the basis of the Cotonou Agreement."

Australia and New Zealand have also accepted the Caretaker Government's move to take the politically troubled country to the polls on August 25, with great appreciation. Caretaker Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has also written to the Commonwealth secretary-general Don McKinnon informing the secretariat of the election dates.

Mr Qarase stressed that his Government was committed in returning Fiji to democracy. Meanwhile Government sources yesterday confirmed the Election Writs would be issued in early July.

Fiji's Daily Post

Europe opens market to Fiji garment industry
Saturday March 24, 2001

THE Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Board yesterday said local garment manufacturers can export a wider range of garments to the European Union from next month market duty free. This follows a recent decision by the EU to approve Fiji's application for derogation from the rules of origin for certain garments and headgear exported to the community.

FTIB chief executive Jesoni Vitusagavulu said this has come at a time when garment manufacturers needed to find new markets to reduce their dependence on one or two countries. The agreement can earn Fiji as much as $18 million or 90 million over the next five years.

The Fiji Textile Clothing and Footwear Council president Ranjit Solanki yesterday welcomed the news. "That's a big support from EU even though they don't like the political situation in Fiji. We need more of this type of support from other countries," Mr Solanki said. The garment industry has been struggling to survive since the May 19 coup last year. Over thousands of garment factory workers have been laid off since.

The problem escalated following the closure of factories in Suva and Lautoka in the past six weeks. Mr Solanki said: "That's is good news but right now we have immediate problems to face up to. Right now we are trying to protect the business here because its a hard work looking for new markets."

FTIB announced yesterday's deal will take effect from April 1 2001, for a period of five years. The approval is contained in a draft decision received recently from the ACP Secretariat in Brussels outlining the decision. Mr Vitusagavulu said the draft decision is the final step in the approval process which started with the applications for derogations submitted on behalf of the industry by FTIB.

"Because the draft decision complies with our application, Fiji's ambassador in Brussels Isikeli Mataitoga has informed the ACP Secretariat of our approval of the draft decision," Mr Vitusagavulu said. Commenting on the decision, Mr Mataitoga said: "Once signed and published in the Official Journal, it will be applicable from April 1 2001 to March 31, 2006."

The last derogations which was applicable for a year, expired in February, 2000. An annual total of 299,190 pieces plus 10,500 kilos of garments were approved. Given that the derogations will run for five years and the large quantity of products that qualify, FTIB believes the approval should give the garment manufacturers the incentive to seriously consider exporting to the EU. All 18 garments types Fiji applied for were approved.

Fiji's Daily Post

Nationalist part of forum
Saturday March 24, 2001

THE combined Fijian Political Parties Forum has refuted claims that the Nationalist Vanua Tako Lavo Party has severed its links with the forum. Forum spokeswoman Ema Druavesi yesterday said the NVTL executives have expressed concern over recent comments made by one of their members, Vilame Savu regarding the party's status with the forum.

Mr Savu, the party's vice president, had said the party was cutting its ties with the forum because they had a problem working with the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT). He had said the SVT had bulldozing tactics and his party could no longer stand it. However, Ms Druavesi said the nationalist's executive council have made it clear the party was committed to the forum.

"They came to our office this morning and have expressed their concern over Mr Savu's recent actions," Mrs Druavesi said. "The party executive council have told us that Mr Savu had expressed his own opinion and not the party's, he had never consulted the party."

On the claims of split within SVT, Ms Druavesi said: "The SVT Management Board is unaware of any such split and the members can welcome to discus any such matters with the board." Meanwhile the party's management board will be meeting Tuesday next week to discus these issues. Former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka is expected to make a presentation in that meeting.

Fiji's Daily Post

Don't blame FTUC-Felix
Saturday March 24, 2001

THE Fiji Trades Union Congress should not be blamed for trade sanctions imposed on Fiji, says Congress secretary Felix Anthony.

Mr Anthony said overseas buyers were nervous of trading with Fiji because they weren't sure of what would happen next in the country under the current political crisis.

He refuted claims made by Fiji Textile Clothing and Footwear Council that trade bans were encouraged by the Congress. "Australia and New Zealand continue with the smart sanctions.

"The European union has suspended its major aid projects. Embassies and high commissions continue the legal and security situation in the country and Fiji has not been given all clear signals," Mr Anthony said.

"This is all because this country does not follow the rule of law. Business people in New Zealand. Australia, USA and Europe know that Fiji is an unstable place," he said.

"They know that it is ruled by an illegal regime which has usurped the power from a democratically elected government."

Fiji's Daily Post

Vuibau refutes new labour claim
Saturday March 24, 2001

A CABINET minister in the deposed People's Coalition party threw cold water over allegations that Professor Tupeni Baba, the constitutional co-deputy prime minister has formed a new Labour, splinter group from the Fiji Labour Party. Deposed assistant Fijian Affairs minister Isireli Vuibau scoffed at the notion saying it was mere speculation if not frivolous.

His reaction came in the wake of the article appearing in yesterday's Daily Post which read - "New Labour Party Formed" an obvious party split. Mr Vuibau also poured scorn over allegations that Professor Baba vied for the prime ministerial post on racial lines. "You know most average Indians living here and abroad understand that both Dr Baba and coalition member Adi Kuini (Vuikaba Speed) went on racial lines when the crunch time came and joined the bandwagon in having an indigenous Fijian in the forefront," the report said.

Mr Vuibau tagged the racist allegations as an outright lie concocted to scuttle Professor Baba's sincere effort to exorcise and relieve the FLP from its current burden. "It's merely a figment of their imagination. "In any case, it is not uncommon in any Westminster and democratic system, that the leadership position could be challenged.

"There's nothing sinister or racist in trying to clinch the prime minister's position - it happens everywhere in the world - including Australia and New Zealand," Mr Vuibau said. He noted that whenever there's a legitimate leadership challenge Chaudhry cheer-leaders mindlessly focus on imagined ethnic bias, rather than acknowledging Professor Baba's enormous talent and peerless credibility. Nonetheless Mr Vuibau repeated that Professor Baba has overwhelming indo-Fijian support saying the negative news was orchestrated to blunt Professor Baba's hard work.

Interestingly enough the majority of FLP caucus members who support Professor Baba are predominantly Indian parliamentarians. Many of whom were Mr Chaudhry's staunchest supporters. Said one, "I've had gutsful of his sheer arrogance and self-centredness." Mr Vuibau said the leadership issue hinges on the writ filed in the Suva High Court yesterday for the President to re-convene parliament. Should their High Court bid goes awry by some quirk of justice Mr Vuibau et al would review their position.

Fiji's Daily Post

Thursday March 22 11:51 PM ET
Students Teachers Hurt in Gunfire

By BERNIE WILSON, Associated Press Writer

EL CAJON, Calif. (AP) - An 18-year-old student opened fire at his high school Thursday, wounding three classmates and two teachers before he was shot by a police officer who engaged him in a running gun battle, authorities said.

There was no immediate indication what triggered the violence at Granite Hills High School, which came less than three weeks after two students were killed at a nearby school in Santee.

The suspect, identified by authorities as Jason Hoffman, was shot in the jaw and buttocks, the most serious injuries stemming from the violence. Police said the attacker used a shotgun and also had a pistol, but it was unclear whether he fired the handgun in the attack.

Grossmont High School District Superintendent Granger Ward addresses the media about the shooting at Granite Hills High School after a student opened fire at the facility Thursday, March 22, 2001, in El Cajon, Calif. Granite Hills High School is in the same school district as nearby Santana High School where another school shooting took place March 5. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Shotgun pellet wounds suffered by the students and teachers were not life-threatening, hospital and police officials said. Five other students and adults were treated for other injuries, none of them serious.

A 51-year-old man, who had chest pains while running to the scene to find his child, was in critical condition. Police also said a pregnant woman rushing to the campus went into labor.

``There were no warning signs,'' said senior Travis Peters, who had an algebra class with Hoffman. ``He wasn't an outcast, no one made fun of him. ... As far as I know, he was like every other kid.''

Jiovani Guerrero, a junior who went to Granite Hills with Hoffman last year and now attends a different school, said Hoffman may have been upset about not getting enough credits to graduate.

``He was supposed to graduate this spring, but that wasn't going to happen, Guerrero said.

Junior Roger Pollock, 16, was in math class taking a test when he heard a rapid succession of about six shots.

``I heard my teacher say, 'Is that a skateboard?' I said 'Nope, that's not a skateboard. That's for real,''' he said.

He said he looked outside the window and saw a young man with blood on his face. Everyone in the class then ducked. The students stayed in the room for 20 minutes, until police escorted them out.

Police Capt. Bill McClurg said Officer Richard Agundez was stationed at the school, heard the gunfire and reported it by radio. He then found the suspect.

``They had a slight running gun battle at the school,'' McClurg said.

The midday shooting sparked a confusing scene, with officers scrambling across the campus as many of the 2,900 students fled to a nearby park.

It also sent a new jolt of fear through communities still shaken by a March 5 rampage seven miles away at Santana High School, where a 15-year-old student allegedly killed two classmates and injured 13 others. Both schools are in the same district east of San Diego.

``This is a nightmare,'' said Glorianne Pollock, Roger Pollock's mother. ``As a parent, I'm worried to send my kids to school. I just want to lock him in a room and keep him there. This wasn't as bad as Santana, but it could have been.''

Neither the officer nor a sheriff's deputy who helped take the gunman into custody were injured, police said.

There were reports that sheriff's deputies happened to be at the school taking reports on another matter, and that a police officer was also on campus for a presentation, but it was unclear if they became involved.

The suspect was taken to surgery at Sharp Memorial Hospital, said spokeswoman Eileen Cornish.

The pellet wounds were suffered by two boys, a girl and two female teachers. All were released from hospitals Thursday except for one of the boys, a 16-year-old who suffered pellet wounds to his chest, arm and head and may remain hospitalized into the weekend, officials said.

Junior Chris Wesley told KGTV the gunman fired at least eight shots and reloaded his weapon.

``It just seemed like he was planning on doing it,'' Wesley said.

Ryan Carrillo, a sophomore, told KGTV that he heard gunshots as he walked to a bathroom near the school office.

``It sounded like an explosion, like in a chemistry class or something,'' he said of the first two shots he heard. After hearing five more shots, he ran out of the school.

Red Cross spokesman Mickey Stonier, who had also been at Santee, went to El Cajon to help reunite parents and kids.

``This is like pulling a scab off a fresh wound,'' Stonier told CNN. ``The community is responding very well.''

Gov. Gray Davis (news - web sites) condemned the shooting and said everyone needed to be more aware of signs of trouble among youth.

``Basically, we need to be better listeners,'' Davis said. ``We have to hear the signs of alarm or alienation or loneliness from kids and be able to take them aside and make them feel part of the community so these terrible incidents don't keep happening.''

Garment industry unravels
Fiji Times - 23 March 2001

A GARMENT factory's future looks uncertain after operating on a stop-start basis over the past few weeks.

D G Garments Limited in Labasa closed temporarily about three weeks ago and work was scheduled to resume last Monday. But work did not return to normal as scheduled and some staff were asked by the company to extend their leave.

The factory's operations manager, Sujit Kumar, said yesterday the factory was closed temporarily. ``We hoped to start operations last Monday but we did not,'' he said. ``We cannot get raw materials from overseas because of the political crisis and the trade bans.''

Mr Kumar said the company paid off workers who were laid off. He said the company still had about 200 workers on its payroll. On what would happen to the workers, he said: ``They will have to wait just like workers of other garment factories are waiting.''

Mr Kumar denied the company was facing financial problems. ``We will start operations once we start getting everything from overseas,'' he said.

The Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations yesterday said it had not any complaints from the garment factory's workers about non payment.

Labour officer Vishnu Deo said the factory had been operating on a stop-start basis for the past weeks. Two garment factories have closed in Lautoka, leaving hundreds of workers without jobs.Trident Garments Limited and Radar Pacific Limited closed overnight and removed machinery without the knowledge of workers, who were asked to go on a few days' leave.

With the intervention of the Labour Ministry, the two companies paid their former workers whatever money was owed to them.

Meanwhile, the ministry is monitoring reports of some garment factories intending to close in Lautoka. Labour officers are also carrying out random checks at night on garment factories to ensure they do not remove machinery overnight and close.

Rag trade loses $10m a month

By Imran Ali

Fiji Times - 23 March 2001

FIJI'S garment industry has lost about $10 million a month since the political crisis last year.

The figure represents one-third of total exports, and if the trend continues for another two months it would mean a loss of about $120 million for the year to May, 2001. And the Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Council of Fiji believes that the number of garment workers who have lost their jobs since the coup total more than 5000.

TCF president Ranjit Solanki singled out trade bans as the biggest contributor to the downturn. He has told unionists to ``shut up'' and leave the commercial sector alone in these difficult times.

``The threats by these people are uncalled for. Overseas buyers are very nervous because of negative publicity by trade unions,'' Mr Solanki said. He said trade unions, especially the Fiji Trades Union Congress, have taken on from where George Speight left off last year.

``They should realise this is the time to sit down and reconcile. We want stability in Fiji. If businesses do well, there will be jobs,'' Mr Solanki said.

On the redundancies, he said garment factories that closed recently were all overseas-owned and unskilled workers were the first ones to be laid off.

Other factors contributing to the mass lay-offs include recession in the Australian economy and the after effects of the Sydney Olympics.

Statistics from the Ministry of Labour reveal that of the 6452 workers who lost their jobs as of December 7, last year, 1061 were from the garment industry.

Another Constitutional case to be file today

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 23

The legality of the Qarase regime is being challenged again in the Courts.

An application to be filed today in Suva argues that the Qarase group has been illegally given the political leadership of the country. The claim is that the group was appointed contrary to the provision of the Constitution.

A vast majority of Fiji's citizens, together with NGO's, pro-democracy political parties, as well as other nations, including the USA, have condemned the subversion of the Court decision by the Qarase gang. The effect of the ill advice to the then Acting President, and to the President after he was sworn in, is that the decisions in effect constitute contempt of court.

The regime and its supporters are now jumping on the bandwagon of chiefly authority and argue that people should not question the decision of a high chief, however unlawful the decision may be. Some others within the scope of the regime are now claiming that legal redress will not help resolve the matters and are calling for dialogue. But these same people refused to dialogue or recommend dialogue when Qarase and his mob utilised the force of might to get into power, began squandering public funds, and then cling on to it without even an ounce of respect for law. When the oppressed seek the only relief they have in civilised societies, those endorsing the regime now call for reconciliation and dialogue.

Legal experts believe that the Qarase regime will again be declared illegal by the Court. Some have even suggested that instead of taking the matter to the High Court, the matter should go straight to the Supreme Court as a legal reference. Whether this is possible procedurally is not known as yet.

Fiji is a violent nation

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 23

Fiji is a violent society, says the Fiji Sun.

In an editorial published this week, the paper took an incisive look at the spread of violent culture in the nation. The editorial has been hailed by the members of the public as a timely warning to Fiji to relook at itself.

The paper stated:
"We are a violent society. We killed one another in our search for power last year."

"We kill each other daily, if not in action, in thought, by the number of conflicts - physical, political and legal - that we see, hear or read about daily."

"It shows in the volume of dissension and divisions rife in the country."

"A dissension is a disagreement of opinion, especially one, which leads to contention or strife."

"Fijian hard-liners who are able to access the ears of chiefs have been influential in causing the biggest dissension."

"That is in their trying to lend "legitimacy" to some of the illegitimate actions of Government."

"Right now we see it in the way the President has made his ruling regarding the governance of this country after the Court of Appeal ruling."

"It seems he's been able to flout the supreme law of the country, the 1997 Constitution, and make his own ruling by unconstitutionally sacking the legitimate prime minister and appointing a caretaker government from the same people who made up the illegal interim administration."

"Everything is so confusing. We say we want the rule of law and we say we want to keep the 1997 Constitution, but almost every action taken by the powers that be has bent or blatantly bypassed the Constitution."

"We hear that the Constitution Review Committee intends to go ahead and resume their work of reviewing the constitution even after a High Court injunction has been placed to stop them."

"We hear the CRC chairman saying that he will only listen to Ratu Iloilo and not to a court order. What kind of talk is that?"
"There's potential dissension in the Fijian Political Parties Forum. The Caretaker Government comprises people from the different parties in the Forum."

"However, some Forum members are querying the size of the caretaker Cabinet. They say it's too big. There's dissatisfaction among some parties in the Forum who want more of their people in the caretaker government."

"Even in the SVT, there is dissatisfaction in the leadership. One group wants Ratu Inoke Kubuabola out another wants him to stay. In the Fijian Association Party the split was there from before the 1999 elections when a group wanted to take over form Adi Kuini Vuikaba Speed. That same group joined George Speight in Parliament and one of that group is a minister in the caretaker government."

"Now we hear people disregarding the rule of law in schools."

"We hear of parents and guardians taking the law in their own hands and assaulting teachers whom they think are being unjust to their children."

"It seems that the rule of the jungle is really taking a hold. But we were warned that if we disregard the Constitution we could be heading for trouble."

US Govt condemns Qarase gang

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 22

The Government of the United States has condemned the Qarase regime for subverting the rule of law in the country.

In a statement on the recent decisions by the President and Laisenia Qarase, the US Department of State spokesman, Richard Boucher, stated:

"We regret President Iloilo's decision to reappoint Laisenia Qarase as Fiji's Prime Minister, which apparently ignores the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal upholding the validity of Fiji's 1997 constitution."

"We have repeatedly stated that upholding basic principles of democracy, the rule of law, and international standards of human rights, as embodied in Fiji's 1997 constitution, would be a benchmark for determining our reaction to the crisis in Fiji. This constitution was drafted to recognize the rights of all of Fiji's citizens."

"The dismissal of Prime Minister Chaudhry and the appointment of Tevita Momoedonu as Prime Minister without reconvening Parliament do not appear consistent with the constitution. The apparent purpose of this exercise was to avoid reconvening the elected Parliament, whose consent to the appointment of a new Prime Minister is required by Fiji's constitution. We believe Fiji's crisis can only be resolved through respect for the rule of law."

"We call on all parties in the ongoing political crisis to work together to bring Fiji back to democratic government, under the guidelines provided in Fiji's constitution."

The Qarase regime has shamelessly been clinging to power, and plundering state resources.

Banks cease lending to native land farmers

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 22

Commercial banks have stopped lending to farmers on native land who have leases less than 10 years to run.

This was confirmed by the NLTB's Manager of Northern Division, Emosi Toga. In a letter he wrote to the Daily Post today defending the NTB, he stated: "Banks have only stopped granting further loans on agricultural leases with terms of less than 10 years to run. That is a commercial decision that banks make on their own prerogative to protect their own interests".

The admission by the NLTB that the banks will respond to protect their commercial interests, irrespective of the NLTB's posturing, is an indication that the NLTB is finally realising that it can not operate in isolation of commercial reality.

Bank lending to agricultural sector shows a steady decline since 1996. The rate of decline in 2000 was the highest ever recorded.

The NLTB insists that landowners should take over the farms which are leased to tenants, mostly ethnic Indians.

Meanwhile today's Fiji Sun has given a damning editorial on the NLTB's actions. Commenting on the decision by some landowners to agree to renew leases on their land, the paper stated: "It is a slap in the face for the [politicking] emanating from the Native Land Trust Board, other Fijian institutions and ranting politicians across the political spectrum who twist everything for their own macabre needs".

Of the tenants, the paper stated: "we must congratulate the tenant farmers for agreeing accept the lease extension…. For many [tenants] their farm, leased or not, is very much their ancestral home. They have the same respect and love for the land as the landowner."

Regime's lawyer calls for reconvening of Parliament 

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 22

The Qarase regime's lawyer has called for the reconvening of the Parliament of Fiji.

Nicholas Blake of the Matrix Chambers, whom the regime had hired to fight its appeal against the decision of Justice Anthony Gates validating the 1997 Constitution, says that it would be a credit to the regime if the Parliament was reconvened.

In an article he wrote on 1 March on the Matrix Chamber's website, Blake stated that the "litigation has ended with excellent prospects of a return to legitimate democracy, a recall of Parliament and fresh elections with the support of the military, and the ethnic Fijian political parties. If this transpires it would be a remarkable result."

The statement makes it clear that Blake was expecting a reconvening of the Parliament if their side lost the case. He also was under the impression that the regime will allow the reconvening of the Parliament when it gave him its assurance of abiding by the court decision.

Blake further stated that the "extra-constitutional abrogation of a constitution" by the regime now "has been reversed by litigation".

While taking the credit for the process of litigation, Blake acknowledged that the prospects of the regime winning the case were bleak. He wrote: "Most importantly, faced with the prospect of their arguments not succeeding, the interim Prime Minister authorised me as the State's barrister to inform the Court that its judgment would be accepted and that if the appeal was dismissed it would use its best endeavours to return Fiji to constitutional legality once more."

Defending against massive international criticism of his involvement with a repressive regime, Blake stated that it was a right of the regime to engage lawyers. He also stated that it was a credit to the Qarase regime to submit "to be bound by the rules of civilised discourse". He denied that he was paid a 6-figure sum.

The regime has now revealed that the bill submitted by the three overseas lawyers is about $230,000.

Blake was criticised internationally for arguing in the Court that might is right.

Collapse of judiciary and law & order

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 22

The Chief Justice Sir Timoci Tuivaga has again issued a directive to the Lautoka High Court to not to accept on its own any case involving the 1997 Constitution.

Under law, the High Courts can, and must, accept cases filed before them. There are three high courts in Fiji, one in Suva, one in Lautoka, and one in Labasa.

The directive states that the Lautoka Court should consult the Suva Office before registering any case which might involve constitutional issues.

According to today's Fiji Times, the directive has been rejected by Lautoka High Court judge, Justice Anthony Gates who wrote to the CJ saying that his instructions were not right. The paper reports that the CJ wrote back to Justice Gates saying that he was being disrespectful.

The new directive follows numerous earlier attempts by the Chief Justice at judge shopping.

The CJ was heavily criticised for being involved in drafting military decrees and for advising that the abrogation of the 1997 Constitution was lawful.

The involvement of the CJ in not only the processes which left the 1997 Constitution purportedly abrogated, as well as in actions which undermine the impartiality of the judiciary, has left the nation stunned.

The Fiji Law Society has claimed that if the directive was true, then it was contrary to the rights of an individual and could be seen as curtailing an individual's constitution right. Law Society President Chen Bun Young stated: "In the present climate the courts should be the last institution to give the impression that it is attempting to erode an individual's constitutional right to have access to a court of law".

It is now certain that the nation's judiciary and the institutions responsible for maintaining law and order has totally collapsed.

The nation is now plagued with:
* unethical conduct of certain magistrates and judges, including the Chief Justice;
* incompetence of the public prosecution office,
* a corrupt and inefficient police force headed by a Commissioner who himself was alleged to have been involved with terrorists and who was freed of the charges under suspicious circumstances;
* government lawyers not being consulted by the regime, and the inability of the government lawyers to take an independent stand defending the interests of the state;
* certain sections of the lawyer community in private practice advising the regime that court decisions should be rejected;
* inability of the Fiji Law Society to effectively deal with the misconduct of its members and decisively address the undermining of the law by officers of law.

The greatest cause of the collapse of law and order and the judiciary has been the politicisation of the judiciary and other organs responsible for law and order. Such politicisation has invariably involved racist, especially anti-ethnic Indian, rhetoric and action. The influence of elements of provincialism has also contributed to the malaise.

10 months now and police still investigating Seniloli, Tora, Kubuabola

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 22

Its been 10 months now since the involvement of Ratu Jope Seniloli, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, and Apisai Tora with the Speight terrorists were revealed to the public through TC and other media. Yet the police has not been able to complete its investigations and get them charged.

Seniloli was recently confirmed to the post of Vice-President of Fiji, while Tora and Kubuabola have been reappointed by Laisenia Qarase into his cabinet.

Seniloli was `sworn' in by terrorist George Speight as Fiji's President on 20th May, a day after he took the government hostage. Kubuabola and Tora were actively involved with the terrorists.

Media reports state that Seniloli's file is still with the police department. Today's Daily Post states that the police say that they are still receiving statement son the case from other people. Police CID head, Emosi Vuinisa is quoted as assaying: "We will wrap up investigations and forward the files shortly to the DPP's office".

Police Commissioner investigating victims

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 22

Police Commissioner Isikia Savua has continued to blame the victims of violence for their fate.

Over the past week two major cases of violence and police negligence have been reported by the media.

In one case, a woman was assaulted by police officers interrogating her for theft, resulting in the woman miscarrying. The woman claims that the police punched her in her stomach despite her telling them that she was pregnant.

Yesterday on Fiji TV, Savua denied that the woman was pregnant and that she miscarried. He relied on a medical report which stated that in the absence of an urine test, the doctor could not ascertain that the woman was pregnant. She miscarried in her third month of pregnancy.

In another incident, Savua stated that the police were investigating a small Nasinu businessman for him being beaten and knifed by thugs on Monday evening. The businessman claimed that when he saw over 6 armed thugs entering his compound and trying to break his security grills, he called the nearest police station where the police asked him to call another station. When he called another station, he was told that the police were on their way. He then called his relatives who lived further away from the station. The relatives drove to a police post where the police again informed them that they were on their way. The relatives then went to the aid of the businessman and after a violent struggle managed to rescue him as the thugs were dragging him out of his house.

Yesterday Savua reacted angrily at the suggestion that the police were negligent. He claimed that this was not the first time the businessman was bashed by thugs and that police were now investigating him on why he called his relatives.

The businessman has claimed that he has lost all confidence in the Police.

Meanwhile a prominent Suva lawyer, Richard Naidu stated in a closeup TV program on Sunday that the collapse of people's confidence in the police force and generally in law and order is having a great toll on the nation. People no longer report crime because such reports are to no use, he stated.

$80 fine for terrorist roadblockers

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 22

Terrorists involved in blocking the country's major highway, the Queens Highway, during the terrorist crisis last year, have been fined $80 each by the Chief Magistrate Salesi Temo.

The terrorists erected a roadblock at Nabukavesi about 30 km out of Suva when Speight terrorists held the government hostage last year. They demanded to see passes issued by the `Government of George Speight' before allowing motorists through. The Speight terrorist group, then calling itself the Taukei Civilian Government, was issuing passes to motorists from the Parliament Complex. Very few motorists got the passes since to get the passes, motorists had to go to the Complex where many were robbed.

The 4 men who appeared before the magistrate yesterday came only when bench warrants for their arrest were issued.

The $80 fine for those who not only terrorised the nation, but who also failed to turn up to court, shows the absolute contempt of the law which the Chief Magistrate Salesi Temo has.

Over the past few months, numerous terrorists have either been freed totally, or given light sentences like minor fines or suspended sentences.

The trend confirms the views of many in Fiji that there is collaboration between sections of Fiji's judiciary and the terrorists. There is also a strong belief that the regime is awaiting an opportune time from now to the August election to pardon Speight and his band of terrorists. It is believed that Speight has threatened the regime to spill the beans if the regime proceeds to get him tried for treason.

Commonwealth retains its Envoy

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 22

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) has decided to maintain the Special Envoy to Fiji, Justice Pius Panga to continue its mission in Fiji.

The CMAG statement at the end of the meeting stated that the CMAG "expressed support for the work of the Commonwealth Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Justice Pius Langa, and agreed that the Special Envoy should continue his efforts to promote national unity and the restoration of democracy in Fiji. Ministers asked the Secretary-General to provide such technical assistance to Fiji for the restoration of democracy as may be appropriate."

The full statement of the CMAG on Fiji is found at: http://www.pcgov.org.fj/docs_o/cmag_stm_21mar01.htm

The Commonwealth appoints special envoys to countries which have violate constitutional democracy. Under the Milbrook Plan of Action, the Commonwealth is required to take certain firm actions "Where a member country is perceived to be clearly in violation of the Harare Commonwealth Declaration, and particularly in the event of an unconstitutional overthrow of a democratically elected government". One of the actions is the "appointment of an envoy or a group of eminent Commonwealth representatives".

That the CMAG has decided to continue to maintain Justice Langa as the Envoy is a clear indication that the Commonwealth regards the decisions of the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo in dissolving Parliament and appointing the Qarase regimes as "an unconstitutional overthrow of a democratically elected government".

Meanwhile political parties in Fiji have welcomed the CMAG statement.

Commonwealth sanctions Fiji; NZ wants Parliament convened 

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 21

The Commonwealth of Nations has agreed to keep Fiji out of the Commonwealth committees.

In the meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) yesterday, the group decided that Fiji's suspension from Commonwealth councils will remain in force for the time being.

The Commonwealth's Secretary General Don McKinnon told the media after the end of the CMAG meeting that the suspension will continue "pending the restoration of democracy". In a statement, the CMAG said it would "closely monitor" the situation in Fiji. It expressed "the hope that by the time the CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads
of Government Meeting) is held in October, 2001 Fiji will have a democratically elected government and will return to the Commonwealth as a full member."

Fiji was suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth last year after terrorists took over the Parliament Complex and the security forces in Fiji failed to release the hostages.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand government had informed the Commonwealth that it will keep its sanctions in place. NZ's Foreign Affairs Minister wrote to the CMAG saying that the country was not ready to lift sanctions against Fiji. He stated: "Suspension of the sanctions will need to await clear evidence of early elections and an unequivocal commitment by the caretaker government to a democratic outcome at the ballot box". He also stated that the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo only gave lip service to the Court of Appeal ruling and at best it is on the outer edges of constitutionality. He stated: "New Zealand is concerned that the former interim administration declared illegal by the Court of Appeal had effectively been legitimised and appointed as a caretaker government. The most constitutional approach would have been the reconvening of Parliament and letting it decide who should govern until elections are held".

NLTB frustration with landowners 

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands - March 21

The Native lands Trust Board now wants to renew agricultural leases to existing tenants.

Today's Daily Post reports that the NLTB has found it difficult to get ethnic Fijian landowners to cultivate land and pay the NLTB the necessary rent. The paper quotes NLTB's Western Division head as saying:
"Our concern is that the land should be available for maximum use with all concerned parties reaping the benefits. We have come to see that a number of landowners who came in as incoming farmers hardly do any work on their farm and the farm is left redundant. If this trend continues then firstly the landowners will be affected, the sugar industry will be very badly affected as well as the NLTB".

The paper also quoted the official as saying that the "incoming farmers have to prove themselves otherwise the NLTB will terminate their leases and the contract".

The NLTB had grand plans to take over the land farmed by largely the ethnic Indian smallholder tenants, give the tenants quarter acre residential leases for the same total rent as the agricultural leases, amalgamate the small farms into larger farms, give the larger farms to ethnic Fijian landowners who will utilise the largely ethnic Indians as labourers on the farms. It was expected that in this way, the ethnic Indians will be converted into farm labourers, the NLTB will continue to get the necessary rental, and the ethnic Fijians will prosper commercially. It was also expected that this move will see the ethnic Indians becoming politically subservient, and ethnic Fijians continue to back the SVT regime. The plan was drawn in the mid 1990's by Maika Qarikau, who now is the General Manager of the NLTB. Qarikau is related to the former SVT PM Sitiveni Rabuka, and is a prominent supporter of terrorist George Speight.

The plan has backfired. First, most tenants have refused to accept residential leases. This is despite the Fiji Cane Growers Association, an arm of the National Federation Party (which was in coalition with the SVT), advising the tenants to accept residential leases. Second, many landowners do not want to give residential leases because after constant promise of material wealth by the NLTB, they wish to take over the existing residences of the tenants rather than the agricultural land. In the cases which NLTB has seen so far, invariably the landlords have started occupying the residences of the tenants and have left the farms to wilderness.

But the NLTB is continuing with its plan and advising the landowners to issue residential leases to the tenants and take over the farming land. The Post quotes the NLTB officer as saying: "Our advice to the landowners is twofold. Fist, they can use the tenants as labourers on the farm and second is they will receive rent from them."