M A I N   N E W S

Fiji interim govt illegal: court

Suva (Fiji), March 1
The military-backed government installed after a nationalist coup was today declared illegal and ordered to give up power to clear the way for a swift return to democracy after a ruling by the court of appeal. The government said it would accept the court’s decision.

Declaring that the interim government had not proved its right to rule, the court said President Ratu Josefa Iloilo must summon disbanded Parliament and step down by March 15. It said Parliament was never dissolved by the coup and Fiji’s 1997 democratic constitution remained the country’s supreme authority and basis of government.

“We concluded that the interim civilian government has not proven it has the acquiescence generally of the people of Fiji. Accordingly, it cannot be recognised as the legal government”, the presiding judge, Mr Justice Maurice Casey, said. AP

NEW DELHI: As India welcomed the Judgement of the Court of Appeal in Fiji ruling the revocation of the 1997 Constitution as unconstitutional, deposed Fiji Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhary prepared to go back to Suva

Talking to TNS, Mr Chaudhary said that even though he was expecting this, he was “delighted” over the development.

Mr Chaudhary, who was deposed in a military coup on May 19, 2000, said he was going back to Fiji and hopes that the people of Fiji would welcome the judgement.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said: The Government of India welcomes the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Fiji upholding the decision of the Lautoka High Court which had ruled that the revocation of the 1997 Constitution was unconstitutional.

India has also urged all parties to respect the judgement of the court and restore the country to the path of constitutionality and legality.

After the verdict, Mr Chaudhary is now awaiting the backing of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group which meets in London on March 19. TNS