The unstable thoughts of a delusional man

Abrogate Constitution if rights not honoured Mr Rabuka said only than will it be right to impose an abbreviated Constitution to run the Interim administration, something like what was carried out in Thailand last year. FBCL/ Pacnews Wed, 19 Sep 2007 SUVA, FIJI ---- Fiji’s former Prime Minister Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka says if rights in the Constitution are not being honoured in the Pacific nation than it is only fair that the Constitution be abrogated, reports Radio Fiji Gold News Mr Rabuka said only than will it be right to impose an abbreviated Constitution to run the Interim administration, something like what was carried out in Thailand last year. He said the interim government could implement the People’s Charter to bring about a new Constitution if the regime goes down this path. Mr Rabuka added that if the Constitution is not abrogated then it simply means that the deposed government has every power to take those who took part in the coup to court. Meanwhile, Fiji’s interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama said there was no need to abrogate the Constitution Fiji Times reports when the question of the abrogation of the 1997 Constitution was put to Commodore Bainimarama, he said “Why should we abrogate the Constitution?” Citizens Constitutional Forum executive director Reverend Akuila Yabaki said Mr Rabuka's comments were both irresponsible and should be deemed illegal and unconstitutional. “This Constitution was passed almost unanimously by both Houses of Parliament when Rabuka was PM. In an ideal world, this statement would be investigated by the police,” he said. “If the judiciary can be investigated for giving wrongful advice on the Constitution, then the same should apply for individuals like Rabuka.” The Constitution for a party AMELIA VUNILEBA in Port Vila, Vanuatu Saturday, May 31, 2008 ABROGATING the Constitution is one of many options the military could take to ensure the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua party does not contest the election, says interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama. Responding to questions of how the military intended to prohibit the SDL party from contesting the election, Commodore Bainimarama said abrogation could be an option if it meant taking the country forward. "Yes, that's one way to abrogate the Constitution is no big deal if we have to find a way forward for Fiji," said Commodore Bainimarama. "As I've said, we did the events of the 5th of December because of the vision we put in place. "We have now put a vision, we have an agenda the agenda is for the good of everyone." Tears for Fiji asks: Where does the President's mandate, not to abrogate the constitution fits into all these machismo-talk?

Lessons to be learnt from other countries

As the different countries who share our planet Earth evolve in their own unique ways, there are lessons that we as a country can learn from them and be successful. The following are just some examples:

Costa Rica and Nepal: How GOOD changes can happen.
Costa Rica abolished their military.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2019.htm
Nepal just abolished their money-wasting monarchy.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-nepal29-2008may29,0,3442530.story

Burma and Zimbabwe: How NOT to rule a country.
Military dictatorship IS the WORST form of ruling over people.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7428916.stm
Holding onto power way past your use-by-date is a recipe for leadership disaster.
http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/2095.cfm

South Africa: How to be CAREFUL and PRUDENT when dealing with racial affairs and policies.
Xenophobic riots in South Africa is blamed on the feelings amongst South Africans that they don't have jobs because foreigners in their country take them.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121183773805920935.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Entrenched systems can be abolished as proven by Nepal

Any institutions or systems in our country fits this bill? hmmm one in particular comes to mind.

Nepal's monarchy abolished, republic declared: official

May 29, 2008 - 3:48AM-The Age, Melbourne

A constitutional assembly in Nepal on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly in favour of abolishing the Himalayan nation's 240-year-old monarchy and declaring a republic, an official announced.

"The proposal for the implementation of a republic has been passed by a majority," a senior member of the 601-member body, Kul Bahadur Gurung, told the gathering.

He said 560 members of the Constituent Assembly voted in favour, with just four opposed.

Nepal's fiercely-republican Maoists, who fought for 10 years to oust unpopular King Gyanendra and create a republic, won the largest single bloc of seats in the assembly in April elections.

The meeting is the culmination of a 2006 peace deal between the country's mainstream political parties and the rebels that brought to an end a civil war, which killed at least 13,000 people.

Rajendra Chaudhry vs Voreqe Bainimarama

I’m an Adult: Rajendra Chaudhry Publish date/time: 27/05/2008 [12:19] Fijivillage

Suva Lawyer, Rajendra Chaudhry said he does not need to speak to his family before making public statements as he is an adult and he has his rights under the Constitution to express his opinions. Can Mr. Chaudhry, please, remind his father, who is part of this illegal regime that the same Constitutional rights he is now embracing to express his opinions, is the same rights we, who have been trampled on since December 5, 2006, have been "fighting peacefully" to retain back from them?

Chaudhry while commenting on Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama's call this morning for Chaudhry to discuss the issues first with his family Chaudhry said that he is a taxpayer and quite capable of making statements before discussing it with his family. Hmmm...cracks appearing in the "cement-filled interim regime family?"

Chaudhry is now saying it is inappropriate for Commodore Bainimarama to comment on FICAC and protect the Interim Attorney General. And to think that his father roots for this Commodore and the Illegal IAG.

After calls by Chaudhry to scrap FICAC, Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama said earlier today he was concerned at Chaudhry's criticism of FICAC. Is Illegal IPM's concerned because of the son or the father? Cracks are appearing indeed...

While, speaking in Fijian, Bainimarama said it is better for Rajendra Chaudhry to discuss the issues first with his family. Why, Mr. Bainimarama? What has Mr. Chaudhry's family got to do with FICAC? Maybe because Chaudhry senior is in your camp and your camp established this FICAC, which now has been rubbished by your right-hand man's son. Isn't it heart-breaking when the "one you feed bites your hand?"

Can we also create history in our lifetime?

On Wednesday May 28, 2008, the small Himalayan kingdom of Nepal will change their history when the assembly elected last month will under their constitution implement a REPUBLIC; spelling the END OF THE CENTURIES OLD (238 years old to be exact) NEPALESE MONARCHY (an extraordinarily rich monarch in an exceptionally poor country, that is) .

This historic change by Nepal is a clear example that in our lifetime, historic changes for the betterment of our country is possible. What comes to mind is a suggestion to abolish our military that has been debated in the freedom for Fiji blog-Soli Vakasama (May 15)

Can we create this same kind of history during our lifetime?

Tears for Fiji says, YES! If we put our hearts and minds to it, it can happen. If Costa Rica can abolish their military so they don't interfere with politics, and Nepal abolish their monarch (King Gyanendra) so he is taxed (like ordinary citizens) and his spending controlled, while his acts will be open to scrutiny in court or in parliament, THEN WE CAN DO IT TOO!

God bless Fiji!

Erasing the 'royal' in Nepal: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4998666.stm

Bainimarama as President again?

Bainimarama may be President, again
26 MAY 2008

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Fiji’s interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama may assume the presidency if the Great Council of Chiefs fails to appoint a Vice President.

This is a likely scenario if the aging President Ratu Josefa Iloilo no longer remains in office either through resignation, illness or death, say experts on Fiji’s Constitution.

Under Fiji’s Constitution, the Vice President acts as President until the GCC meets again to appoint a President.

However, lack of support from Fiji’s 14 provinces for the new-look GCC proposed by the interim Government has put the much-anticipated meeting of chiefs in limbo.

Last week, Bainimarama said the GCC will not meet if there is no quorum.

Constitutional lawyer Jon Apted said given the current situation if something happens to Iloilo “than nobody can be President”.

“There is a vacuum in the presidential office. That is why he can’t go overseas,” he said.

“In a normal situation, the GCC could meet tomorrow to appoint a President.

“So this current state of affairs is not supposed to be happening.”

Professor Brij Lal, one of the architects of the 1997 Constitution, believes that Bainimarama “could simply declare a state of emergency, assume the President’s powers and carry on”.

“Bainimarama is intent on having his way,” he said.

“He has done it before. Soon after the December 2006 coup, he simply asked the President aside and he assumed his powers.

“Given the power he has –he is the most powerful man in modern Fijian history: commander of the military forces, head of government, minister for Fijian Affairs and a host of other ministries including the Public Service—he can do anything he wants.”

Fijilive
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Tears for Fiji says, we wonder if Mr. Bainimarama will even consider the option stated by Jon Apted.

But in usual flip-flop Voreqe Bainimarama fashion, we think we are safe in saying that he would say that what Mr. Apted believes to be a solution to this problem is not his prerogative as it is only him and him alone who has all the "real concerns" and "best ideas" that will solve all our country's problems.

It's not good enough to say "forget about what had happened and move on" because really, we are in this mess because of one man and his fellow merry-men's audacity to take-over a democratically elected government.

Humble call to our law-abiding chiefs

The writing has been cemented on the wall just as the law-abiding citizens of Fiji and the international community have known all along; no charter, no elections, according to Mr. Bainimarama, as relayed to the Nadoi villagers of Rewa.

So, where do we stand now? Where does our right to choose what we want for ourselves come into the equation?

This is our humble call to our chiefs. You have taken the first step to not accept the charter and the new GCC outlook. How long are you going to wait around for until Mr. Bainimarama uses his "so-called" powers, which sadly was bestowed on him by the President to keep on trampling on our rights and freedoms?

And what are the courts doing to the case against him brought by Mr. Qarase?

These continuous bullying tactics is becoming unbearable anymore.

Who is going to stand-up for our present, our children and their future? We look to you our chiefs to make a stand once and for all.

The Burmese-style junta is inching its way into our country and you, our anointed chiefs should not let this happen.

Welcome!

Ni sa bula! Welcome! to one and all who find their way to this blogsite either by default or through a friend. Read, ponder, comment and let's hold hands and rock-on for democracy and prosperity for our future. God bless one and all.