1 Oct 2003

Fiji Labour Party withdraws from multi-party cabinet talks

10:15 am on 1 October 2003

The Fiji Labour Party will hold no more talks with the Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, on the formation of a multi party cabinet.

The Labour leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, has told Radio Fiji that the Party is now looking to the Supreme Court to resolve the issue.

Mr Chaudhry says he has also written to the Prime Minister expressing his concern that the State law Office is delaying the filing of necessary documents to the Supreme Court registry.

The Labour leader wants the Supreme Court to rule on the number of Cabinet seats which should be allocated to the Party.

Mr Chaudhry says they also want the Supreme Court to decide whether Mr Qarase's offer constitutes real ministerial portfolios, and whether the Prime Minister conducted himself in good faith during the negotiations.