23 Apr 2008

Ousted Fiji PM open to change of constitution if approved by parliament

3:34 pm on 23 April 2008

Fiji's deposed Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, says his SDL party is considering supporting changes to the Constitution wanted by the interim regime.

The interim Government wants to change Fiji's voting system ahead of next year's election among other things.

The Fijilive website reports Mr Qarase saying changes are possible if approved by Parliament.

Mr Qarase has suggested in a letter to interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama that parliament be convened to steer Fiji out of its current legal mess.

He says he is open minded and may even back legislation of military established institutions if Commodore Bainimarama agrees to recall the Members of Parliament he ousted in the 2006 coup for a brief period before the poll scheduled for March.

Mr Qarase says the problem in Fiji is serious and it requires a political forum.

The website reports that the heads of the Methodist and Catholic Churches are trying to arrange talks between Mr Qarase and Commodore Bainimarama.