Constructive views on the Great Council of Chiefs' Resolution - PCRC

PCRC Media Release, 27 May 2000

Speaking on behalf of the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (PCRC) in Suva Fiji, Mrs. Losena Tubanavau Salabula stated: "In the spirit of peaceful dialogue and consensus building, we would like to offer some constructive views on the 10-point resolution of the recent meeting of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (BLV - Great Council of Chiefs)".

PCRC perceives the BLV Resolution as a set of recommendations to His Excellency the President, as the Executive head of government in the absence of the democratically elected Peoples' Coalition Government.

"We welcome the BLV's recognition of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara as President of the Fiji Islands and we also welcome the BLV's call for the immediate release of all hostages," Mrs. Salabula stated. "Ideally, we would prefer the restoration of the People's Coalition Government. Given the current state of affairs, if His Excellency deems it necessary to appoint an Interim Administration, we believe that it should comprise representatives of the People's Coalition Government, the indigenous people of Fiji and all other communities co-existing in our Islands".

In response to the BLV resolution, PCRC believes:

1) The primary focus of any Interim Administration should be to ensure the: - restoration of the rule of law; - return to democratic governance; - speedy return to normalcy and safeguarding of the human rights of all Fiji Islanders; - reconciliation and healing amongst the major ethnic communities.

2) The term of an Interim Administration should be definite and no longer than half the life term of a normal Fiji Islands' Parliament - two and half years.

3) Any amendments to the 1997 Constitution must only be done after a thorough review in its entirety, in accordance with internationally accepted principles, and taking into account the views of the indigenous people of Fiji and all other communities.

4) Before an amended Constitution is ratified or decreed by the President, it must be subject to a popular referendum and approved by a 2/3 majority.

PCRC believes that all parties that have broken the law must be brought to justice under the due process of law. PCRC appeals for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. PCRC denounces the attempted overthrow of the legitimate elected government and refuses to recognise an illegitimate interim regime that installed itself under the barrel of the gun.

Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (PCRC) is the secretariat of the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific (NFIP) Movement, and has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

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