Suva, July 21: Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase today invited key political rivals for talks this week about forming a new multi-ethnic cabinet in response to a Supreme Court ruling. On Friday Qarase lost his last legal bid to keep deposed prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry and his Fiji Labour Party (FLP) out of the cabinet when the court ruled that power sharing was required by the constitution. Although the court ordered the creation of a multi-party cabinet without delay, Qarase has not spoken yet with Chaudhry. But speaking on Fiji television he issued an invitation to Chaudhry and the FLP -- which draws much of its support from the Indian community -- to talks on Wednesday morning.
He said he would invite Chaudhry to submit a cabinet list, but Qarase made it clear he still believed the differences between the two sides would be too great.

"There are big differences," he said.
Chaudhry was the country's first Indian prime minister, elected in 1999, but was overthrown in a coup led by now convicted traitor George Speight in May 2000.

Chaudhry said he had received the invitation but sensed the government was trying to hold the issue up.
"It is not right for the prime minister to drag his feet on the issue," Chaudhry said, noting the court ordered for action without delay.


Bureau Report