Chaudhry denies his govt. was anti-Fijian

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, OCT. 15. The deposed Fijian Prime Minister, Mr. Mahendra Chaudhry, has described as baseless the claim of the interim Prime Minister, Mr. Laisenia Qarase, that the People's Coalition Government was ``anti-Fijian''.

Calling upon Mr. Qarase to prove that his Government discriminated against ethnic Fijians, Mr. Chaudhry, still to return to Fiji, said: ``In fact, in just one year, my Government had done a lot more to address the plight of the poor than previous governments and the benefits were enjoyed by all races.

There is absolutely no basis to the claim that the People's Coalition Government was anti-Fijian.''

According to Mr. Chaudhry, his Government also boosted educational grants and assistance schemes to maximise opportunities for poor children.

``In its short period in office, my Cabinet visited remote Fijian villages, many of whom had never been visited by Ministers before, to talk with people and learn first hand their problems,'' Mr. Chaudhry said.

``How can a Government that showed such concern and sympathy for the plight of ordinary Fijians ever be branded insensitive to Fijian feelings?''

The Qarase Government and the May 19 coup-makers had ``wilfully and mischievously'' manipulated Fijian sentiments to justify their criminal actions.

``In fact, it is Mr. Qarase who should answer to poor Fijians who have lost their jobs and seen food prices shoot up since his regime took office... his administration has neither credibility nor legitimacy and he is in no position to either question or tamper with the policies of a Government put in office by a popular mandate,'' he claimed.

``The country has had Fijian-led Governments for the past 29 years. What was done in those years to improve the lifestyle of their own people?

The Fijian people own most of the natural resources and yet most of them are not getting the benefits. Their leaders who were in Government for the past 29 years have a lot to answer for,'' Mr. Chaudhry added.

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Section  : International
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