PEOPLES COALITION GOVERNMENT, FIJI

Issue No: 72; 30 September 2000

SVT wants Chaudhry charged with treason

The SVT wants the Peoples Coalition Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry and his colleagues to be charged for treason for making "damaging reports about Fiji overseas".

The SVT call came the same week the Qarase cabinet considered the reports by Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, Kaliopate Tavola on his meeting with the Australian Foreign Minister. Qarase also returned from his US tour where he was clearly told that Fiji must reinstate the 1997 constitution and a government composed under the provisions of the 1997 Constitution.

The SVT call came from its Secretary, Jone Banuve. Its Leader, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola is a minister in the Qarase regime.

In another twist, a letter appeared in today's Daily Post by Sir Len Usher calling for treason charges against "prominent Fiji citizens" campaigning for sanctions against the regime.

END

30 September 2000.