Government Democratically Elected - Vosanibola

Minister for National Reconciliation, Information and Media Relations, Josefa Vosanibola, has accused Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry of grandstanding to ACP leaders on his grievances against the constitutionality of the elected government.

He said the people of Fiji accepted the SDL government they democratically elected into office in August last year under the provisions of the 1997 Constitution.

Mr Vosanibola reminded Mr Chaudhry that he is not the officially recognized Leader of the Opposition but the leader of the Labour parliamentary group in Parliament.

“He therefore has no business to be advising the delegates of the ACP group of countries on what they should or should not be discussing,” Mr Vosanibola said.

“If he considers his grievances to be genuine Mr Chaudhry should have followed formal and proper channels through the government and more usefully through the Prime Minister both in his capacity as leader of government and incoming ACP president.”

Mr Vosanibola said he was disappointed with Mr Chaudhry using the forum of the media to downplay the efforts of the government in restoring constitutional normality in the country.

He said Mr Chaudhry’s negative comments about issues on the ACP agenda lacked understanding of the workings of international forums such as the ACP.

The theme of the conference is ACP solidarity in a globalised world and the agenda of the summit has been predetermined through the consultative process and consensus between member countries and regional groupings of the ACP states.

Mr Chaudhry’s statement about the May 2000 political crisis in Fiji and its consequences are unhelpful at this time. He continues to mouth worn-out phrases and vituperation that is unbecoming and not in keeping with the “Pacific Way” when our leaders are being hosted in the country.

“It is unhelpful both in terms of Fiji’s national reconciliation recovery and nation building.”

Mr Chaudhry has acknowledged the government of the day on these issues through informal discussions with Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase in the Talanoa forum --- a forum which encourages consensus making and is a singularly Pacific custom and tradition of resolving issues.

With regard to the constitutionality of Government, the world knows that there are outstanding issues before the High Court and Mr Chaudhry should respect the court process.

Mr Chaudhry disrespects the due process of the law by making such comments.

Since the Lome Convention in 1975 the ACP has been principally about aid and trade with the focus now shifting to bilateral and multilateral trade. The focus is now more on strengthening and enhancing trade within ACP and the EU – its European partners.

The flow-on effects in terms of economic and social benefits to Fiji and indeed ACP states, are incalculable.

Contrary to Mr Chaudhry’s assumptions, the ACP summit addresses the issues of poverty, unemployment and good governance.

Mr Vosanibola added that Mr Chaudhry would be well advised to stop his ill-considered comments and observations on the outcome of the summit.