24 Aug 2007

Former Fiji PMs province endorses Peoples Charter for Progress and Change

9:54 am on 24 August 2007

The deposed Fiji prime minister Laisenia Qarase's home province, Lau, has come out in support of the interim administration's Peoples Charter for Progress and Change.

The chairman of the Lau Provincial Council, Ratu Josefa Basulu, says the interim government, whether legal or not, seems determined to lead the country and there is nothing they can do because it has the backing of the military.

The Daily Post quotes Ratu Josefa as saying the country needs to move forward and if people resist the administration's plan, it will only delay Fiji's return to democracy.

The interim prime minister, Commodore Bainimarama, says 12 of the 14 indigenous Fijian provinces have backed the People's Charter for Change and Progress.

He says only Rewa and Naitasiri provinces have opposed its plan because of their traditional chiefly leadership.

Mr Qarase and his SDL party have opposed the People's Charter because they say an elected government should carry out the process.

The administration has been inviting submissions on the People's Charter ahead of the first meeting of the National Council for Building a Better Fiji which will draw up a roadmap for Fiji's future.