FIJI: Ousted PM accepts invitation to meet interim PM
Updated
In a surprise move, Fiji's interim prime minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has invited ousted prime minster Laisenia Qarase to meet him. The two leaders have not taken part in any meaningful dialogue since the coup last year.
Presenter: Geraldine Coutts
Speakers: Laisenia Qarase, ousted Fijian Prime Minister
QARASE: There is a proposal that I meet with interim prime minister soon, in fact I've taken the initiative to follow up on his offer for a meeting. And maybe that's one of the issues that we can discuss.
COUTTS: That meeting you say the interim prime minister has approached you for a meeting. Is there any kind of agenda for it and when is it set to take place?
QARASE: Nothing is firm at the moment, but certainly I would like to take advantage of his offer. And I am making the first move.
COUTTS: Why after all this time do you think Commodore Bainimarama is requesting a meeting?
QARASE: Well I think he realises now that our party is a fairly large party. We represent the majority of the people of Fiji, and we need to be consulted on matters of national importance. It has taken a fairly long time to come to this point, but I welcome this overture if simply for a meeting and I look forward to it.
COUTTS: Do you know when it might take place?
QARASE: No it will depend on his availability, I hope it will be soon.
COUTTS: Do you think that with the introduction or the work that's being done at the moment on the People's Charter that the interim government is trying to put together and I suspect that it's to be before the next election, that in a way it's to sideline the SDL because it's been quite widely reported again that the People's Charter will probably be a substitute for many aspects of the constitution, and it's also being reported that the People's Charter won't allow the elections to be run along racial lines like they have in the past?
QARASE: Well I'm looking forward to the meeting with the interim prime minister because I think there is a lot of confusion on the People's Charter in Fiji now because the original document that came out has got I think six specific topics to be covered under the Charter. That seems to be changing and some of recent statements by the interim prime minister would suggest that he has included other items. So if we do meet I certainly would like to discuss the charter with him so that we get a clear picture of what it is all about. I also would like to take advantage of the opportunity to explain to him why we oppose the charter and how we might go about it to produce something that will be acceptable to the great majority of the people of Fiji.
COUTTS: Your case and the SDL's case against the interim government because of the actions taken during the coup is before the courts at the moment. Do you think this is another reason why Commodore Bainimarama was hoping to meet with you, that in some way you could meet at some kind of agreement to drop that case?
QARASE: I really don't know, I really don't know but if the issue comes up certainly I will be ready to discuss with him.
COUTTS: Is there any half-way measure that can be reached on that issue?
QARASE: Well we are dealing with a crisis situation in Fiji. There are differences of views within the country on some announcements by the interim government, and I believe there is always room for dialogue and discussion and perhaps compromise on some of these national issues. It's really the way to get consensus and then move ahead with what we want to do.
COUTTS: What issues if this meeting does take place with Commodore Bainimarama would you like to raise with him?
QARASE: I'm not disclosing that, I think to be fair to Mr Bainimarama. to be fair to the people of Fiji I need to keep that close to me at the present time. There will always be a time when the interim prime minister might wish to issue a press release or something like that and at that time I would be commenting on the discussions if the discussions take place.
