By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – Fiji’s ousted Prime Minister has reiterated that changes to Fiji’s Constitution will not be made while the interim government remains in power. This announcement follows the SDL party’s decision to appeal the High Court’s decision last week validating the 2006 coup.

Since last week’s judicial decision, the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party has strongly questioned the interim government’s motives. Meanwhile, interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has clearly stated that the interim government’s focus will not necessarily be on the legality of its actions, but on whether the right results are produced.

Bainimarama claims the interim government will work to reestablish democracy, but ousted Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, is skeptical. As head of the SDL party, Qarase says that if the interim government creates any reforms before the new election, those reforms will be unconstitutional.

In response, Bainimarama says he will create a political forum by the end of October. Qarase is receptive and hopes that the forum will facilitate political discussion between the parties.

“We have never said that we would accept reforms before the election, that is our position now. What happens in the forum, that’s another issue. We would rather wait until we get into the forum and hear other people’s views. But strictly speaking, we believe that any change to the constitution must be made by an elected parliament. That’s our key position,” Qarase said.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – SDL maintains it won’t accept changes to Fiji constitution before election – 15 October 2008

Radio New Zealand International – Qarase to go into Fiji political talks with open mind – 15 October 2008