POLITICS: Tora warned over destabilisation plan

TORA WARNED

SUVA: The Fiji Islands government has warned former parliamentarian Apisai Tora and other people planning to destabilise the country that they will face the full brunt of the law, the Daily Post reports.

"The government will not tolerate any attempts to incite sedition or anti-government activities designed to bring down a popular elected government," it said in statement yesterday.

The warning comes in response to media reports that Tora is trying to revive the Taukei Movement to destabilise the country and bring down the People's Coa1ition government.

It said Tora should come clean and tell the people why he is suddenly working against the government.

"Is it because government refused him financial assistance when his company, Wire Industries Ltd, was taken into receivership by the Asset Management Bank for debts in excess of $1.2 million?" the government said.

"Approaches were made to government on Mr Tora's behalf to bail out the company which the government refused.

And now he is talking about bringing down the government.

"Mr Tora is once again using the Fijian people to further his own interests, just as he did in 1987 as one of the leading members of the Taukei Movement."

Government said the 1987 coups and chaos caused pain - and suffering to the people of country.

The economy was shattered, thousands of people lost their jobs and were reduced to poverty never before experienced in Fiji.

"Contrary to his claims, the Prime Minister [Mahendra Chaudhry] has never made a statement telling the Great Council of Chiefs, 'You go and get stuffed. I don't care about you.'

"These are Mr Tora's own words and as such an insult hurled at the chiefs by him."

Tora accused the Prime Minister of not consulting the Great Council of Chiefs and the Native Land Trust Board on land issues.

"He is wrong," the government said.

"Government has always been mindful of the role of the Great Council of Chiefs concerning the Fijian people.

The Minister for Home Affairs, Joji Uluinakauvadra, said Police Commissioner Isikia Savua had already started investigations on people trying to destabilise government.

+++niuswire

This document is for educational and research use only. Recipients should seek permission from the copyright source before reprinting. PASIFIK NIUS service is provided by the niusedita via the Journalism Program, University of the South Pacific. Please acknowledge Pasifik Nius: niusedita@pactok.net.au http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/nius/index.html

© Scoop Media