Chaudhry 'sacked'; Momoedonu sworn in

By Amit Baruah

SUVA (FIJI), MARCH 14. Mr. Ratu Tevita Momoedonu, Labour Minister in the interim civilian administration, was sworn in today as the new Prime Minister of Fiji shortly after Mr. Mahendra Chaudhry was ``sacked'' from office by the President, Mr. Josefa Iloilo.

``The Permanent Secretary of the President's Office, Jeremaia Waqanisau, confirmed that the President had earlier accepted the resignation of the Interim Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, before swearing in Ratu Momoedenu,'' an official statement said. ``A statement with regards to a caretaker Government will be issued once appropriate decisions are made,'' the announcement added.

The President's moves come after the Great Council of Chiefs confirmed his continuance in office and apparently upheld the 1997 Constitution as well following the March 1 Court of Appeal verdict restoring constitutional rule in the country. They also resolved that early elections be held in the country.

In the meantime, the ``sacked'' Prime Minister, Mr. Mahendra Chaudhry, today described his formal ouster from office as unconstitutional and illegal.

``The purported appointment of Ratu Tevita Momedonu as Prime Minister is unconstitutional and unlawful because, firstly, I have not vacated the office of the Prime Minister. Secondly, Ratu Tevita has not been nominated by the People's Coalition nor has his entitlement to the position been tested on the floor of the House of Representatives,'' Mr. Chaudhry said.

However, the President told Mr. Chaudhry in a letter that he was being dismissed since, by advising him to dissolve Parliament, Mr. Chaudhry had accepted that he no longer had the mandate of Parliament. According to Mr. Chaudhry, the President's letter said: ``Therefore, acting in my own judgment under Section 109 (1) of the 1997 Constitution....I hereby notify you that I have decided to dismiss you from your appointment as Prime Minister with effect from March 14, 2001.''

The ``sacked'' Prime Minister conceded that he had advised the President to dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections. ``It is correct that I had conveyed to His Excellency that I was prepared to advise a dissolution of Parliament. I had done this in order to assist him find a way out of the constitutional difficulties confronting him. My offer of assistance was made in good faith and with a view to helping him find a solution to the nation's problems which was within the law,'' Mr. Chaudhry added.

Despite the announcement that a ``new'' Prime Minister was sworn in, not all the confusion has cleared in the country. It remains to be seen what further steps the President takes, presumably on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs and his Prime Minister.

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Section  : International
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