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Frank Bainimarama - Source: ONE News -
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Fiji's military leader and self-appointed prime minister Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama says he is not going to be forced into holding elections and reform is essential before the country can return to democracy.
Commodore Bainimarama cited a survey which he said had shown 64% of Fijians wanted a new electoral system, and he was not going to return to the old, race-based formula.
He suggested the Appeal Court judges who ruled against the legality of his interim government had made up their minds before hearing the case, and did not take the need for reform into account.
"All they wanted was to force us into elections," he said on Radio New Zealand.
"It was interesting to all of us that they came up with a 52-page judgment in 24 hours...most people thought they made the decision before they came to Fiji."
Bainimarama said he had imposed emergency restrictions so the reforms could be implemented.
"We want to do these changes, these reforms, the last thing we want is opposition to these reforms throughout," he said.
"We will now decide what is going to be done, we will put these reforms in place so we have a better Fiji."
Bainimarama, again citing the survey of opinion, said the future would be decided by Fijians and had nothing to do with New Zealand or Australia.
He appeared unconcerned about the prospect of Fiji being suspended from the Commonwealth and the Pacific Island Forum.
"We want to be part of them, but if they decide to remove us, what can we do?"
Asked whether he would agree to a Radio New Zealand reporter going to Fiji, Bainimarama said he would answer any questions that needed answers.
The country has had an extraordinary few days sparked by a court ruling last Thursday that prime minister Frank Bainimarama's regime, in power since a 2006 coup, was illegal under its 1997 constitution.
The following day, the country's ailing, elderly president and Bainimarama ally, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, sacked the judges, dissolved the constitution and ruled out any election for five years.
Bainimarama briefly returned to the barracks before being reappointed prime minister on Saturday in a turn of events slammed by critics as a cruel, carefully orchestrated hoax.
The military government has used events to press its agenda for a "clean up operation", putting police on the streets and severely restricting and vetting local media coverage.
The few international reporters on the ground, the last bastion of press freedom in the country, were deported on Tuesday.
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Post new commentvaingloriouscoconut said on 2009-04-28 @ 23:37 NZDT: Report abusive post
Like a jedi knight said at the beginning of a certain movie, the whole crisis doesn't make sense. A phantom menace at work? Whoever stands to gain most from this charade are 'the Sith'. Alot of noble talk generating alot of thuggery. Judge by effects, and actions beloved Fijians - not by intentions and words. Time will reveal all.
UP2DATE said on 2009-04-28 @ 19:24 NZDT: Report abusive post
The UN is a joke. Sorry Fiji. The Commodore is a total dictator. Only the Fijian people can change this. It is time to stand up to this madness. Good luck.
Mark Manning said on 2009-04-23 @ 13:01 NZDT: Report abusive post
The Commander is hiding from allegations of and an investigation into , his and others , alleged involvement into the murders of 5 Counter Revolutionary Warfare Soldiers in 2000 . At that time of the civil unrest , some soldiers justified murder of these men by declaring them an act of war and thought that assertion would protect them from prosecution . However , one of those murdered , wasn't even in the vicinity of the camp at the time of the killings of the soldiers in the camp .
Udreudre said on 2009-04-18 @ 18:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
Bula Vinaka, just my comment on media. Actually the news now is much better. Before so much headache. Eg the move to get retirement age to 55. Oilei! If were in Fiji 2 months ago, you will know what I mean. As soon as the news was aired, 5 more related news: the unions, the politicians, close up show. Really very stressful. Our own version of Shortland Street was Fiji one news. Very entertaining but stressful. Even at night, we think, this and that, but now, no more. Only news not noise.
Udreudre said on 2009-04-18 @ 11:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
Actually, our beloved country can survive without aid money. we have land, sea, only thing is we get very relaxed. If we work hard and become independant, we will benefit. I am a landowner and personally if we dont get tourists, it will be good. They bring in their evilways. we have a population of 800,000, yet the tourist number is 600,000 per year!. They may be working as cleaners or maids but they come here and are treated like royalty. My children dont have to be slaves to the tourists.