Fiji’s President Rejects Request to Dismiss Interim Government

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji - Fiji’s President has rejected the National Federation Party’s request to shut down the interim government. Fiji’s prime minister says efforts to rebuild the country will not be weighed down by criticism. 

The NFP is calling on President,  Ratu Josefa Iloilo, to promote democratic elections so that Fiji can reestablish a free and legitimate government. Pramod Rae, NFP general secretary, proposes that Fiji’s president create a "caretaker government" "with the sole objective of organizing free and fair elections under the provisions of the 1997 Constitution."

Mr. Rae believes that, in rejecting the NFP’s request, the President was following advice from the interim Attorney General’s office.

Meanwhile, interim prime minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, has announced that the legality of the interim government is not what is important, but rather, the efforts to rebuild the nation.

Individuals and politicians alike have phoned in their concerns in an effort to gather support against the interim government’s politics.

The NFP's management board meets today in Lautoka to draft a reply to the President.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International - Fiji's president rejects calls to oust government - 05 October 2008

Fiji Times - No longer about legality: Interim PM - 05 October 2008

Fiji Live - Cabinet will stay, says Fiji President  - 04 October 2008