SUVA, Fiji (25 May 2000) -- Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs again asked rebel leader George Speight to release hostages but called for a return to Fiji's former constitution which stipulated that only indigenous Fijians could hold the office of president and prime minister. The decision has been widely criticised by goverments throughout the world. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan criticised Fiji's chiefs for suggesting that a democratically elected Prime Minister should be replaced by an intermin administration. "It is only by upholding the democratic process that the long-term stability and prosperity of the population of Fiji, as well as the international standing of Fiji, can be secured," the UN chief said. The rebels rejected the chiefs recommendation and reiterated that President Mara must be removed from office. | | Jaganath Sami, General Secretary of the Fiji Cane Growers Association, stated that the decision by the chiefs will result in a mass exodus of Indian Fijians from their homeland. "They want Indians to be economic slaves," he said. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
