Qarase Includes Two 'Ultras', Excludes Labour

Qarase Includes Two 'Ultras', Excludes Labour In Cabinet

By DEBORAH MAUINATU: September 12, 2001 Wansolwara Online (USP)

SUVA (Pasifik Nius): Fiji's new Prime MInister Laisenia Qarase today included two ultra-nationalist Conservative Alliance members and two independent members in his 26-member cabinet.

They were sworn in by the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, at Government House in a ceremony shown live to the nation by Fiji Television.

Eight assistant ministers were also included in Qarase's new cabinet.

But Qarase did not include any Fiji Labour Party members.

Qarase said FLP would not contribute to settling things in Fiji.

He also said that because FLP and SDL had different ideologies it was highly unlikely that the two parties could work together.

"All parties have to accept SDL's manifesto," said Qarase.

FLP leader Mahendra Chaudry was reportedly preparing a statement in reply to Qarase's decision to exclude FLP members from his new cabinet.

Media reports said the Fiji Labour Party was not aware of the planned ceremony to swear in the new cabinet and last night Chaudry said he had not heard from Qarase.

+++niuswire

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