CJ Again Undermines Independence Of Judiciary
Issue No: 830 7 June 2001
The Chief Justice, Sir Timoci Tuivaga has again undermined the independence of the judiciary.
This time Tuivaga has appointed Michael Scott to preside on the case involving the writ of the Citizens Constitutional
Forum against the decision of the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo to reappoint Laisenia Qarase as the Prime Minister, and
for breaching the Constitution.
Earlier he had appointed Daniel Fatiaki to preside over this case. The CCF had asked Fatiaki to disqualify himself for
bias. Fatiaki initially refused, but later submitted the case back to the Court for reassignment to another judge.
The CCF's ground was that Fatiaki, Scott and Tuivaga were biased because they drafted the advice to the now deposed
President Ratu Mara that the elected government be dismissed and constitution abrogated. The appointment of Scott was
first predicted by this site (see: http://www.pcgov.org.fj/hot_press/no790.htm).
By appointing Scott, Tuivaga has shown absolute contempt for the independence of the judiciary. Tuivaga is reported to
be also a supporter of the terrorist George Speight. They met many times in Brisbane when Speight was staying there, and
later after Speight released the hostages, Tuivaga warmly greeted Speight to the Fiji Golf Club.
It is believed that Tuivaga is trying to get the case delayed to after August. Already Scott has refused to disqualify
himself and has stated that the earliest the case can be heard is mid July. The CCF is likely to challenge Scott on his
disqualification. This will drag the case to end of July. The substantiative case, then would not be able to proceed
until after August. New elections have been scheduled for August.
END
SDL makes deal with NFP Issue No: 829 7 June 2001
The regime's Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase has revealed that his political party was making a deal with the National
Federation Party.
Qarase told a press conference yesterday that his party had met the NFP three times over the past few weeks and that the
talks were very fruitful.
This site had earlier stated that the NFP was making a deal with Qarase. The NFP had aggressively rejected this
statement saying that it came from people who were insane (see http://www.pcgov.org.fj/hot_press/no629.htm;
http://www.pcgov.org.fj/hot_press/no654.htm ).
Both, Qarase's party and the NFP are funded by a group of ethnic Indian businessmen. The same group had allegedly
financed the terrorists last year. It is believed that this same group, led by a very prominent ethnic Indian
businessmen involved in the food industry, is brokering the deal for Qarase to get ethnic Indian political support
through the NFP. The same group of businessmen had also funded a few politicians in the People's Coalition Government to
break away from the People's Coalition Government during its term in office. The same group had again funded some
politicians in the Fiji Labour Party to break away and form another political party. The politicians, led by Tupeni
Baba, have now formed the United Labour Party. 7 people turned up at its launching two weeks ago. Qarase has also stated
that his party will also be meeting the breakaway politicians now under United Labour Party.
END
Methodist Church supported terrorists Issue No: 828 7 June 2001
Members of the Methodist Church of Fiji have revealed that the Methodist Church of Fiji had written a letter to the
terrorists last year pledging their support.
The letter, signed by Rev. Tomasi Kanailagi, was addressed to the Domo ni Taukei on 16 June 2000 and was signed by
Kanailagi. The Domo ni Taukei is the name by which the Speight Terrorist Group called itself while it had armed control
of the Parliament Complex.
The letter, written in the vernacular, stated:
"Through this letter of mine, I wish to reiterate my commitment through the presentation of the whale's tooth offered to
you there by us the members of the Fiji Methodist Church Standing Committee representing the Methodist Church Conference
of Fiji."
"I wish that we work together and listen to each other in all aspects in advancing the cause concerning us Indigenous
Fijians".
The letter also stated that the Methodist Church supported the drafting of a new Constitution which guaranteed ethnic
Fijian supremacy in the country.
The publication of the letter has taken many Christians by surprise. Former President of the Methodist Church Red.
Josetaki Koroi has hit out at Kanailagi for the letter and for lying to the congregation. He has also called for
Kanailagi's sacking.
Earlier the ethnic Indian Division of the Methodist Church had also expressed support for the Qarase regime.
Meanwhile, the terrorist George Speight's new lawyer, the Singaporean born, and Indian and English educated, and Seattle
US resident, Navin Naidu has said that he is here to defend "a Christian brother". Naidu, referring to Speight as a
patriot, is quoted by the media as saying: "I want to make sure that God's word is done and completed and justice
served".
END