19 Jul 2006

Fiji Labour party leader endorses call for coup inquiry

8:48 am on 19 July 2006

The Fiji Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, says the ghosts of the past will continue to haunt the country unless the whole truth behind the May 2000 coup is unveiled.

The Daily Post reports that Mr Chaudhry made the comment in support of a call by the treason convict, Josefa Nata, for a commission of inquiry into the coup to reveal the whole truth and those involved in it.

Mr Chaudhry was deposed as prime minister in the coup and he and his government were held hostage at gunpoint for 56days.

He says Fiji cannot hope for meaningful reconciliation and nation building unless the truth is told and all those involved are brought to justice.

Mr Chaudhry says the government should stop wasting time and money on the controversial Reconciliation and Unity Bill, should stop releasing people convicted of coup related crimes and set up an inquiry headed by an eminent jurist.

He says the political turmoil and months of violence and mayhem cannot be forgotten.

Mr Chaudhry says the people of Fiji want an inquiry and the government must take heed of the call.