Maika asks, 'Do we need a Vice-President?'

In the Fiji Sun today Maika has his usual commentary about Fiji politics. See this page
It certainly sounds like a comedy of errors and reads like a song from a Gilbert and Sullivan musical, such as 'I am a Major General....etc. etc.'
On the other hand, it can stay as it is - only change titles to their letters - which is usual in Fiji. This is the last paragraph then...

In such case, the P is said to exercise a reserve power. With the absence of parliament and in such an odd situation the nation is now facing, can the P use his reserve power to select a VP. With the suspension of the BLV, the P can use his reserve power. I know if the P uses his reserve power, it can be challenged in court. The only other way out of this crisis is to go without a VP until the government reinstates the BLV. The IPM can surely play the role of VP when the P is away. In the absence of the P, the VP will perform formal functions. He will attend all state functions, receive foreign dignitaries. He or she will sign credentials of the republic's ambassadors and receives those of ambassadors accredited to the FI. Surely we can be without a VP for the time being. The Office of the P has confirmed the P will soon name a VP. If this happens, the legality will be questioned. Already the legality of the P has been queried after the C removed him when he took over the EA on December 5, 2006. To avoid legal challenges against the appointment of the VP by the P at this time, the nation can go without a VP until the BLV is reinstated and recognised by the IG. Well I know the IPM and his regime want a VP and will surely go ahead with the appointment.

Fiji is looking for a saint

from w
An article in a Fiji newspaper spells out the saintly qualities of the Vice President position. I don't think even the likes of Mahatma Gandhi ji, Mandela, a Cardinal, or St Peter the Apostle would even be able to do all of these things!
Who is writing these press releases?

Vice-President must follow mandate: Army
Sunday March 25, 2007

The Fiji military has indicated that the Vice-President must follow guidelines set by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo.

"The President has already set a mandate and that mandate guides the interim government and the RFMF (Republic of Fiji Military Forces)," said deputy military commander Captain Esala Teleni..

"Whoever goes in as a VP makes sure that the President's mandate is the guideline. The military is not setting any guidelines.

"The police, military and the whole people of Fiji should be supporting that mandate."
Certain names have been touted to replace former High Court judge Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi who resigned as the Vice-President after the December 5 coup last year. Amongst them an army officer and a former army commander, sympathizers of the army's clean-up campaign.

However, Teleni said that it is President Ratu Josefa Iloilo and the Great Council of Chiefs who will ultimately decide on April 11.

"The military has no say in the nomination and selection of the Vice-President. We will support any VP."

Speaking at a press conference soon after his swearing in as Interim Prime Minister by Ratu Iloilo on January 5, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the mandate is to:

"- continue to uphold the Constitution;

- where necessary facilitate legal protection and immunity, criminal and civil, to the commander, officers and soldiers;

- Give effect to the actions of the RFMF, including the respective suspensions, dismissals and temporary removal from office of civil servants, CEOs, those appointed by the judicial services and constitutional services commissions, the judiciary and government appointed board members;

- Steady our economy through sustained economic growth and correct the economic mismanagement of the past six years;

- Lift the living standards of the growing poor and underprivileged of our country;

- Restructure the Native Land Trust Board to ensure more benefits flow to the ordinary indigenous Fijians;

- Eradicate systematic corruption by including the setting up of an anti-corruption unit through the Attorney-General's Office and set new corruption standards of governmental and institutional transparency;

- Improve relations with neighbours and the international community;

- Take the country to democratic elections after an advanced electoral office and systems are in place and the political and economic conditions are conducive to the holding of such elections;

- Immediately as practicable introduce a Code of Conduct and Freedom of Information provisions and;

- Give paramountcy to national security and territorial integrity of Fiji."

Fijilive