7 Sep 2005

Fiji opposition to raise concern over reconciliation bill with Indian leaders

3:58 pm on 7 September 2005

Fiji's opposition leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, will discuss his opposition to the government's Reconciliation and Unity Bill with top political leaders in India.

These will include the Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, the foreign minister. Natwar Singh as well as the former prime minister Atal Bihari Bajpai and the opposition leader, L K Advani.

Mr Chaudhry will leave for an official visit to India today where he says he will draw the attention of its leaders to the ramifications of the Reconciliation and Unity Bill for the rule of law and national security.

He says he will be representing half of Fiji's population whose mandate he holds.

Mr Chaudhry will also attend a symposium on the Reconciliation and Unity Bill in New Delhi attended where he will articulate the opposition to it by the police, the military, the Fiji Law Society, numerous NGOs and thousands of concerned citizens.

Mr Chaudhry says the symposium will be attended by parliamentarians, NGOs, diplomats, business persons interested in investing in Fiji and academics.

Mr Chaudhry has already asked the Commonwealth to suspend Fiji if the government goes ahead to make the Reconciliation and Unity Bill into law.