18 Jul 2002

Fiji Labour Party leader tell ACP leaders the Qarase government is uncostitutional

10:27 am on 18 July 2002

The Fiji Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, has urged the ACP summit in Nadi to note that they are dealing with an unconstitutional government.

Radio Fiji quotes Mr Chaudhry as saying there are many unresolved constitutional issues since the coup, one of them being the violation of the power-sharing provisions of the constitution.

The others are allegations of vote buying during last year's general election, the lack of respect for the rule of law, racial discrimination and bad governance.

Mr Chaudhry says the sugar industry is threatened by the eviction of many cane farmers whose land leases have not been renewed.

The Labour leader has also called on the ACP delegates to inter-act with NGOs to ensure aid money reaches the target groups.

Mr Chaudhry says it is well-known that government assistance tends to be based on political considerations and does not reach the groups it is intended for.