Fiji Prime Minister is reacting from the weight of the Fiji Human Rights Commission's report on the flawed Affirmative Action programs using the public purse. Qarase and company have grudgingly accepted the premise to ammend the prgrams.
This follows his harrangue on the matter, equivocally stating that. "As long as he remains the Prime Minister of Fiji, the Blue Print programs will remain. Another measure of cooperation that the present P.M of Fiji has fallen short of.
Fiji Prime Minister touring one of Fiji Sugar Corporation's mills recently.
Critics of the program question the timing of the release of the F.H.R.C report.
S.i.F.m ponders whether the timing has anything to do with the contents of the report. Regardless when the report was conceived, if it does not measure up to the precepts of the 1997 constitution; then something is amiss in Government machinery.
Letter to Fiji Times Editor.
Affirmative action
THE finding of discrimination in the affirmative action program compels our commentary.
The timing of its release could not have come at a worse time, when the people of Fiji have democratically demanded a unified approach to moving the country forward.
With all the media attention surrounding the report, it is unfortunate that it racially polarises yet again stirrings of "us" and "them" — a challenge that most of the newly elected leaders have strongly and vocally committed themselves to eradicating.
However, while there may be some semblance of truth to the findings, the report lacks tangible solutions which the Govern-ment can take onboard to progress or amend the program.
The first recommendation proposing discussions with the Government about the inconsistency would have been more efficient and cost-effective if it was done first without the effort associated with generating the report.
Also disappointing is that the report recommends the threat of court action as a "stick", whereas one would have expected an "olive branch" — non-adversarial and concilia-tory approach. The question of timing is again queried.
The motion was taken up when the blueprint was in its fourth year of implementation and taxpayers' money was used for various phases of the program.
Perhaps the country needs to pause and take stock of the international conventions and treaties it has an obligation to.
Perhaps we need to ask ourselves whether our sovereignty is being put at risk for the mirage of the carrot of recognition as a global player?
Perhaps the recognition of indigenous rights needs attention on the international arena and Pacific Island leaders would do well to collectively push it through come October.
The success of the Pacific Plan hinges on this core recognition. The Government and the Fiji Human Rights Commission should get their act together and let common sense prevail.
Be reminded also that all cost for court action and the rulings will be borne by us and if the whole country knew what constituted human rights violation, court action can be reduced or better still, avoided. Prevention is better than cure.
Last but not least, show us the results very quickly because laws can be changed and we have the right to demand it.
Ulamila Wragg
Cook Islands
Silivia Lewaravu
Lautoka
Vasiti Ritova
Nnew Zealand
Vani Twigg
Turkey
Ianna lomaloma
Papua New Guinea
Maryann Tagi
Suva
Tago Fine'aloto
Suvavou
Mereoni Bola
United States
According to the the Fiji P.M, the Affirmative Action program closes the gap between the commericial progress of one race over another, using those controversial racial criterias. Where the rubber meets the road, the criteria used by P.M's office, impinges on the supreme law of the land: Fiji's 1997 constitution. The same document that some nationalists want to amend, using outdated justitifications that does not benefit the nation of Fiji as a whole.
The progress report for the A.A program 2002-2003.
Critics raising the question of timing have not even justified how timing is relevant to the whole debate.
Immaturely, these defenders of all things evil will even label a loaf of bread as a radical enemy of the state and a political element attempting to destabilize the Multi-party coalition in Fiji, to deflect the irony of Laisenia Qarase's flawed logic. Engineered by the chief manipulator of Fiij laws, the teflon coated and present Attorney General, Qoroniasi Bale.
Club Em Designs
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