Indo-Fijians in statute panel branded `traitors'

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, OCT. 7. Indo-Fijian members of the Constitutional Review Commission appointed by the interim Prime Minister, Mr. Laisenia Qarase, have been branded as ``traitors'' by the rest of the ethnic Indian community.

Both the National Federation Party (NFP) and the Fiji Labour Party (FLP), dominated by Indo-Fijians, have denounced the appointments of Mr. Fred Achari, Mr. Joe Singh, Mr. Benjamin Bhaghwan and Mr. Joseph Maharaj. The appointment of pliable members of the Indo-Fijian community is hardly a surprise since the Qarase Government has been on the look-out for such persons to participate in the review of the multi-racial, consensus 1997 Constitution.

``Every right-thinking Indo-Fijian knows that the four members... have no following in society... No Indo-Fijian with any self- respect and dignity would serve on such a racially- weighted and top-sided Commission,'' the NFP general-secretary, Mr. Attar Singh, was quoted as saying. ``The interim administration of Mr. Qarase must be told that the community will not accept any decision of this Commission and its cronies. The administration should remember that the international community will also reject this cosmetic exercise.''

A FLP spokesman, Mr. Krishna Datt, said the four had no mandate from the community and were on the Commission only due to personal interests. ``It is shameful for Fiji and a sad day for all those who respect and honour democracy,'' he was quoted as saying.

The Fiji Youth and Students League (FYSL) and the Fiji Trade Union Congress also condemned the decision of the four Indo- Fijians to work for the review panel. The FYSL general- secretary, Mr. Ravindra Pillay, said they should step down from the Commission if they had any respect for their community.

He maintained that the 1997 Constitution did not need any review and catered for everything needed for democratic rule in the country.

In their defence, the four, who were sworn in on Thursday, said they were not worried about a mandate, claiming that the country was more important than differences generated by race and religion. They did not represent any ethnic group, but were on the Commission in their individual capacities.

Mr. Qarase has expressed disappointment that the two Indo-Fijian parties had chosen not to participate in the review process. This, he said, could be seen as a communal act of non- cooperation, which could widen the Fijian-Indian divide.

About the nominated Indo-Fijians, the interim Prime Minister said, ``I am sure they will perform their duties in an exemplary manner as the Commission proceeds with its work and we salute them for their enduring faith in Fiji and what it can become.''

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : LDP backtracks on franchise bill
Next     : U.N. team for Sierra Leone