Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. (René Descartes, mathematician and philosopher,1599-1650)

Monday 12 March 2012

From Around the World: Reactions to Constitution Processes Announcement

 
Fiji's plan for new constitution raising hopes
San Jose Mercury News
15, 2006 file photo, casually dressed Frank Bainimarama leaves after a press conference at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in the capital Suva, Fiji. On Friday, March. 9, 2012, Fiji leader Commodore Bainimarama announced a yearlong process for Fijians to ...
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Fiji's plan for a new constitution is raising hopes among those wanting ...
Washington Post
On Friday, Fiji leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama announced a yearlong process for Fijians to discuss, debate and approve a new constitution. Fiji has enlisted Yash Ghai, a Kenyan-born expert on constitutional law, to chair a commission overseeing the ...
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Bainimarama announces Constitutional Consultations Process
The Jet Newspaper
Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama announced Fiji's plan to formulate a new constitution, laying out the basic principles and timetable for the Constitutional Consultation process. The twelve-month process includes a civic education programme for ...
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Fiji strongman sets out timeline for constitution
AFP
SUVA — Fiji's military strongman Voreqe Bainimarama said a new constitution for the coup-plagued Pacific nation would be ready by February next year, ahead of elections in 2014. Bainimarama, who seized power in a 2006 coup, said his military-led ...
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AFP
Fijians to get a say in new constitution
ABC Online
Commodore Frank Bainimarama has outlined plans for a new constitution that he says will remove systemic corruption. Public consultations on the constitution will begin in July, with a draft to be drawn up by January next year.
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Fijians to have input into developing new constitution
Radio Australia News
Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, says all Fijians will have a voice in the new constitution. Fiji's interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, says for the first time Fijians will have input into the development of a new constitution for the nation.
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Carr rejects talk of softening Fiji stance
ABC Online
Mr Carr said he had noted Friday's announcement by Fiji's military leader Frank Bainimarama about planned public consultation over a new constitution. Both Mr Carr and Mr McCully greeted the announcement with caution and said time would tell if the ...
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Fiji Constitution Talks Not Enough To Lift Sanctions, Says New Zealand FM
Bernama
Fiji Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama announced Thursday the consultations between the Constitutional Commission and the people of Fiji would take place between July and September. McCully said New Zealand would need to respond quickly to ...
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Fijian PM Announces Plan To Formulate New Constitution For 2014 Elections
Bernama
SUVA, March 9 (Bernama) -- Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on Friday laid out the basic principles and timetable for formulating a new constitution to pave the way for the 2014 general elections. The 12-month process includes a civic education ...
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Clear timelines for formulation of new constitution announced
Fijivillage
Clear timelines for the formulation of Fiji's new constitution have been announced by Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama in the last hour. Commodore Bainimarama has announced that the process will start from May this year when a civic ...
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Fijivillage

8 comments:

Snouts in the trough said...

The two principled gentlemen, Felix Anthony and Mahend Chaudhry, are criticizing the regime at every turn. They think we have forgotten that they jumped to support the coup and grabbed well-paid positions in the regime.
They were part of the gravy train and only started crying foul when they were kicked out. These two fat cat Labour 'stalwarts' continue to treat us with contempt; as if we are fools. I

They have 3 major reasons for criticising the regime:

1. Retribution for their sacking
2. Regain their positions, power and authority - this can only happen once regime is removed
3. By criticising regime they hope to mitigate or divert attention from their own illegal activities in supporting the regime.

Fiji is sick of opportunists like these two.

Mahen 'Honest Man' Chaudhry is trying to divert attention away from his court case for tax evasion.
There is reliable evidence that Mahen knew of the coup in advance. He needs to be investigated for treason. In any event, Chaudhry and Felix were part of an illegal regime. Like Senololi and others who aided and abetted Speight, these two have to be charged when the day comes - we can't have double standards, can we?

Romeo said...

Looks lIke the AG & Frank's worst fears will come back to haunt them eg the same old politicians recycling themselves and presenting as candidates for the 2014 elections eg Mahen Chaudhry, Lai Qarase, Mick Beddoes, Felix Anthony, Tom Ricketts, Ro Teimumu, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, Niko Nawaikula etc.

These are the very people the AG accuses of being unable to escape the shackles of their ethnicity and ethnic politics. All of them with old scores to settle with Frank. Whats to say they all gang together on the floor of parliament and move to have the AG, Frank etc all arrested and charged for treason? Methinks that will kick off the next coup cycle as the military moves to safeguard their corporate interests as well as their own necks and that of their previous patrons in government.

Lesley said...

Good that NZ Herald and 3 News did a news item on the new Fiji Constitution Consultations. Wonder why One News didn't bother to cover this story as the public consultations are an important milestone in the Road map to democracy. Maybe the Pacific journalist for One News is away on holiday. The last one on the Constitution by One News was screened on July 9th 2009 - http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/fiji-constitution-still-years-away-2821391 Interesting looking back - seems that the Fijian Govt is on track with the Road map to democracy. "Fiji will have a new constitution by 2013 that will open the way for free and fair democratic elections the following year, the country's controversial leader says."

There's a special Providence in the fall of a sparrow...... said...

How many of us shall survive this year long process? Those with the necessary access to the chronology to make the contributions that must be made. Gibberish is resorted to now. Riddles and the soon-to-be dying embers of those who know it as it was.

The Christenings that were denied, the Family Manifestations that could not be held without fear of infiltration for five long years are to be set at nought? Our lives are limited and they are fragile. The lives of those we love are also fragile and shortened by betrayals and despair.

Who dares to ask "For whom the bell tolls? It tolls for thee".

The foolishness of the ignorant optimist cannot be overrated.

"There's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come; the readiness is all"

(Hamlet V.ii - W. Shakespeare)

Anonymous said...

I find it a little odd that the PM and military where perfectly happy with the 1997 constitution. They actually promised to uphold it. They only changed their minds when under the same constitution they where going to lose their power. None of the the media above seem to have picked this up.

So when all the cliams about needing a new constitution are sprouted lets remember these are the same government that swore to keep and uphold the old constitution !

Yes a new constitution is progress but only because in the government roadmap they have said they want a new one before they allow elections.

Any praise on this governments progress is a a bit like surgeon smashing someone int he face with a broken bottle then performing reconstructive work one operation at a time over a five year period to repair the damage. Maybe the poor fellow will end up better looking but i doubt it....and was the pain worth it.

Lets not forget who was behind the fourt coup, the damage they did and their flip flop on what was good and what was not when and where suits them.

Yea yea said...

Fijitoday said it well when referring to the good Rev.

The elephant in the room remains the role of the military.

Nothing in the process will be credible until that is put on the table for discussion and one option has to be their removal from public office and the scaling back of personel numbers and costs.

And I also think when the PM clears the air on how he pays himself and other offices in the public service we might start beleiving is talk.

Romeo said...

@ Yea Yea

re Role of the Military

Lets hear you ideas on what the role of the military should be. You have already indicated that you are for a reduction in numbers to scale back of numbers and costs etc.

What do you think the optimum number and costs should be?

And what is the basis of your rationale for this position?

What about the threat of ethno-nationalists coming down from the hills and taking over the city ala the George Spoeight coup and the trashing of Fiji TV?

Should we leave it to the Police to look after national security? If so, whats to say that an ambitious third ranking police officer will do a Rabuka and return us to the rule of the feudal chiefs?

Should there be a countervailing force or organisation to balance all these competing interests and forces in society?

What if we disband the military, will we then see the rise of provincial militias under the command of their respective provincial paramount chiefs pushing an exclusive ethno-nationalist agenda/

Where will that take Fiji?

Your thoughts on these important questions please.

Otherwise as Frank said to smart arse Chaudhry, 'SHUT UP"

Anonymous said...

@ yea yea

You certainly have a point. We are all too prepared to fall into a slumber of forgetting how terrifying Mob Rule was in 2000. The very suggestion of 'provincial militias' should waken us all out of this. Because it is not beyond the realm of possibility.