Sunday, August 05, 2007

A Thousand Chiefs With No Followers.

The recent episode involving the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC)members, who had taken legal action challenging the suspension of their membership, took many turns.

According to the Fiji Times Editorial, there is some confusion in the understanding of this agreement; brokered by the lawyers of the GCC members that resulted in the withdrawal of their legal challenge. Inferring that the mistake was on the Government side and not the GCC members. Such are complications when dealing with parallel structures, which many Fijian commoners are now openly questioning.

One such view, was published in the Letters to Fiji Times Editor, the following is an excerpt:

Who is a chief

BRAVO to Kalivati Toso for stating plainly what most Fijians today are thinking.

The chiefs are an endangered species and destined for extinction, whether we like it or not.

A chief in the old days was a servant of his people. He would feed his people first and make sure that everyone was full before he ate. It was much like the talatala of early christianity who walked over hills and valleys for the people.

Today, the roles have reversed and this is the reason of their downfall.

When Fijians struggle to survive today, they will have little care who their chief is, for after all, a chief will not put food on the table.

Isireli Biumaitotoya
Nadi


The reactions to the initial Fiji Times story, that celebrated GCC's return and reactions posted to Fiji Times website acquired many posters having the same thread of disdain with the GCC .

Confusion reigns

Monday, August 06, 2007

Withdrawal of the suspension order on the Great Council of Chiefs membership on Thursday stunned many.

More importantly, it had served as a beacon of hope that no matter the extent of differences the interim Cabinet held, they were not as hardlined as they appeared to be and were courageous enough to admit where they had made a blunder.

But whatever sense of hope or comfort gained from Thursday's development yesterday turned out to be misplaced. The public's disappointment cannot be as great as that of Great Council of Chiefs chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini and his team.

They are understandably confused at interim Fijian Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau's reproof that members have not been reinstated. So how is it possible that such a misunderstanding, if that is what it is, has eventuated on an issue of such national importance.

After all, Ratu Ovini said Ratu Epeli had personally confirmed this to him. He says the former military commander had assured that the membership was intact. But Ratu Epeli says the recent regulation is misunderstood because it was only aimed at reinstating the council as an institution.

To this, the GCC's legal eagles are saying that the earlier regulation had only effected a suspension of the membership. For apparently, the initial regulation did not seek to make the institution defunct because this was not possible.

Such a move would have required a constitutional amendment and without an elected Parliament, this was impossible unless the Constitution was abrogated. Now Ratu Ovini and his team have to consider pursuing legal redress, again.

While the translation of the recent gazette would likely be argued, the validity of Ratu Epeli's directives in general would be the council's best bet. Once again, the State's manpower and already strained resources will be directed at fighting a losing battle in court.

It is a battle already lost because no matter how eloquent and impressive the State presents its arguments, nothing can change the facts of how the interim Cabinet came to be. Ratu Epeli says much will be explained after the interim Cabinet's meeting tomorrow.

Let's hope that his statements tomorrow will make sense of this bewildering situation, rather than add to the confusion.



In a Fiji Live article, Interim Fijian Affairs Minister announced that the GCC is not independent of Government.

This is an excerpt of the article:

Regime to spell out GCC future
Sunday August 05, 2007

Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs may not regain full control of its operations yet although its suspension was lifted by the interim Government this week.

Interim Fijian Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau said there was no condition set when the GCC agreed to withdraw its court case against the interim Government on Friday following its reinstatement by the regime.

"The decision by the court was unconditional. The Government will decide on those conditions, not the GCC. The GCC is not independent and is an arm of Government."

GCC chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini said the GCC understood that the revocation of the suspension will cease any more amendments to the GCC's governing legislation until a new government has been democratically elected in accordance with the provisions of the current Constitution.

However, Ratu Epeli said he will elaborate on the conditions on Monday. He adds the GCC is there to look after the rights of the indigenous people and "not to make decisions for Government".

The chiefs also expect the regime to reinstate the previous administrative arrangements for the support of the GCC. This would require the interim Government to preserve the substantial independence and functioning of the GCC and to finance the operation of the GCC, said Ratu Ovini.





Subsequent to the news of the rescinded GCC suspension order, the deposed GCC members began organizing plans for an impromptu meet in Bau, as an alternative venue; an offer which one GCC member later denied making.

Meanwhile, Interim Prime Minister has made it clear in another Fiji Live article that, the GCC meeting will be arranged, once the Government gives official clearance.

This is the excerpt of the article:

Govt will not acknowledge GCC meet: Voreqe
Sunday August 05, 2007

Fiji’s interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says the Great Council of Chiefs meetings will first have to be sanctioned by the Government.

Bainimarama told Fiji Live the last thing they want is to put economic pressure on the people of Tailevu since the Bose Ko Viti is coming up.

“The meeting has to be sanctioned by Government. They are not above Government,” he said.

Interim Fijian Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau also stressed yesterday that the planned GCC meeting in Bau next week will not be recognised by the interim administration.

Ratu Epeli Ganilau said the Government has not given its approval for the meeting. GCC chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini could not be reached for comment but had said that the invitation from Bau chief Ratu Epenisa Cakobau for the GCC to meet in Bau is an informal one.

He said Ratu Epenisa, in his capacity as a chief, is offering the GCC members to go to Bau next week to discuss issues regarding the chiefly body.

The Tui Tavua added that Burebasaga high chief Ro Teimumu Kepa has also invited the GCC to meet next week in Lomanikoro in Rewa. Ratu Epenisa however said he made no such invitation.

Fijilive





It is now certain that, the Bokini's ambition to discuss the vacant position of Vice-President, is being left to simmer on the back burner; while Bokini's own tenure at the helm of GCC takes precedence.

Fiji Village article reports that, Interim Minister has suggested that there will be a new Chairperson appointed later, after emphatically pointing out that, Ratu Ovini Bokini no longer is considered as the Chair.


GCC VP appointment needs to be resolved urgently

Member of the Great Council of Chiefs, Tui Tavua Ratu Ovini Bokini say the appointment of the Vice President is a major issue which the council needs to urgently resolve.

However Ratu Epeli Ganilau said as far as the interim administration is concerned, Ratu Ovini Bokini is no longer the Chair and the member should wait for the next meeting sanctioned by the ministry to make the new appointments.

Ratu Epeli said the planned GCC meeting in Bau next week will not be recognised by the interim government.

In an exclusive interview with Legend FM news this afternoon, Ratu Bokini said that the issues regarding the appointment of the Vice President was one of the main reasons why GCC members were suspended by the interim administration.

Ratu Ovini said some GCC members will be meeting tomorrow to discuss the matter before consulting Interim Fijian Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau in good faith to sanction an official GCC meeting and allow the council to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, the Tavua High chief still maintains that he is still the Chairman of the GCC.












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