Rebel Lands 'Minister' - I'll Abolish All Tenure

REBEL LANDS 'MINISTER': I'LL ABOLISH ALL TENURE AGREEMENTS

21 May 2000: 1.30am
By Joe Yaya
USP journalism programme

SUVA: Interim Lands and Energy 'minister' Iliesa Duvuloco in the rebel government claims he will abolish all land tenure agreements between Fijian landowners and Indo-Fijian tenants.

Speaking in Fijian on national radio, he said that as soon as he settled in his new office he would:

Totally abolish ALTA (Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Agreement) between Fijian landowners and the Indian tenants.

Return all crown and freehold land (schedule A and B) including all mineral resources contained in the land to the landowners.
He is a member of the Fijian Nationalist Party

Attempted coup leader George Speight's interim cabinet line-up comprises mostly indigenous nationalist Fijians, some noted for extremist views in recent months.

Mr Speight appointed himself as Prime Minister and Ratu Timoci Silatolu as deputy prime minister.

The so-called interim government also delivered a petition to the President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, calling on him to abrogate the 1997 constitution and to dissolve Parliament.

It also called on him to appoint an interim government, and make clauses in the new constitution to ensure that the President and the prime minister be indigenous Fijians.

Meanwhile, the Party of National Unity (PANU) from the Ra and Ba provinces have made a statement on national radio that it did not support the coup government and pledged its allegiance to the President.

The proposed "interim cabinet":

Prime Minister, George Speight

Deputy Prime Minister , Ratu Timoci Silatolu, Rewa FAP MP

Finance Minister, ???

Foreign Affairs, Berenado Vunibobo, former Finance and Foreign Affairs minister, Rewa SVT senator

National Security, Savenaca Drunidalo, former senior army officer, Lauan

Fijian Affairs, Ratu Tu¹uakitau Cokanauto, Bau chief and Mara's brother-in-law, FAP MP

Home Affairs, Colonel Metuisela Mua, former head of the Fiji Secret Service

Telecommunications , Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, SVT Leader of the Opposition

Health and Social Welfare, Leone Tuisowaqa, FAP Nadroga MP

Tourism, Isireli Leweniqila, SVT Central Division MP

Youth and Sports, Peceli Rinakima, Naitasiri FAP MP

Agriculture and Forestry, Konisi Yabaki, Namosi SVT MP

Works and Energy, Villiame Savu, Nationalist

Lands and Mineral Resources, Iliesa Duvuloco, Nationalist Primary Industries and Marine Resources, Simione Kaitani, Lomaiviti SVT MP

Housing, Urban Development, Environment, Viliame Volavola, FAP Suva MP

Employment and Industrial Relations, Ted Young, trade unionist.

Regional Development Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, SVT Cakaudrove MP

Adviser to the Prime Minister is former journalist Jo Nata

The following have been appointed assistant advisers: Ratu Simione Drole - Works and Energy Eroni Lewaqai (PANU - West) - Urban Development Lepani TonitonivanuA (Nationalist Serua MP) - Forestry Atonio Taniburenisau(FAP NAmosi) - Environment Manasa Moce - Education Mitieli Bulanauca(VLV, Bua MP) - Land and Mineral Resources Dr Viliame Sausauwai - Health

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