19 Mar 2004

Fiji Labour Party opposes government nominee for ambassador to US

11:05 am on 19 March 2004

The Fiji Labour Party has strongly opposed the nomination of Ratu Epeli Kanaimawi as ambassador to the United States because of his alleged links to the coup.

The Labour leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, says it is not right for the government to choose a person who was allegedly involved in the coup.

Mr Chaudhry says the government has already appointed the likes of the former police commissioner, Isikia Savua, the former SVT leader, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and the five minute prime minister, Ratu Tevita Momoedonu, to head missions overseas.

He says all of them were implicated in the upheavals of 2000.

The foreign affairs minister, Kaliopate Tavola, says Ratu Epeli's name has been forwarded to the United States government which will make the final decision on his acceptance.