31 Mar 2004

Fiji's Prime Minister says his Government's affirmative action is about basic economic rights

3:26 pm on 31 March 2004

Fiji's prime minister has again defended his governemnt's policies in favouring indigenous Fijians.

Laisenia Qarase made the declaration in a speech in Wellington when he outlined Fiji's recent development.

"'the affirmative action initiatives we have introduced for Fijians are about basic economic rights and fairer division of wealth and opportunity - their purpose is not to discriminate but to correct iniquities and inequalities"

Laisenia Qarase