Author:
Publication: Rediff
on Net
Date: November 15, 2000
The government of deposed
prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry must be reinstated, the high court in
Fiji has ruled.
Justice Anthony Gates,
in a ruling on Wednesday, stated that the interim government, set up by
the military after a coup, was ''unlawful and unconstitutional''.
Chaudhry's government
was overthrown in May by rebels opposed to ethnic Indians holding political
office.
Gates also ordered President
Ratu Kamisese Mara to summon parliament so that Chaudhry could return to
power.
Chaudhry had recently
returned to Fiji after a tour of Australia, India, the United Kingdom and
the United States, which he used to seek international support for his
reinstatement.
He welcomed the Gates
ruling, saying he will "meet the president recognised by the ruling" to
discuss the matter.
Speaking on Fiji TV,
Chaudhry urged the authorities to abide by the ruling and recall Parliament
as soon as possible so that Fiji is back to democratic rule.
The interim government
said it would appeal against the ruling. A spokesman from the office
of the attorney general said the ruling would be set aside while the appeal
is being considered.
Commander Commodore Frank
Bainimarama said the military would respect the court decision.
Police spokesman Jahin
Khan said anything was expected, but "we are on the lookout. We are
doing our normal duty."
