25 Jul 2003

Fiji Citizens Forum calls for new session of parliament to be delayed

10:15 am on 25 July 2003

The Citizens Constitutional Forum has called for Monday's opening of a new session of the Fiji parliament to be delayed until a multi-party government has been formed.

The CCF's executive director, the Rev Akuila Yabaki, says the current Qarase government is unconstitutional and illegal.

He says during Monday's formal opening of parliament, President Iloilo will outline the government's policies for the coming year.

The Rev Yabaki says it would be ridiculous for President Iloilo to deliver an address prepared by the current unconstitutional government.

He says parliament should be prorogued until there is a multi-party government in place.

The opposition leader, Mick Beddoes, says he agrees that parliament should not be convened until a multi-party government is formed.

But the information minister, Simione Kaitani has told the Daily Post newspaper that the opening will go ahead as the prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, has followed the Supreme Court ruling and held talks on a multi-party cabinet with the Labour leader, Mahendra Chaudhry.