October 17, 2012

Commission to have seminar without RFMF

Publish date/time: 17/10/2012 [13:20]

The Constitution Commission is having a public seminar tonight based on the theme “The military in transition”, however, the RFMF will not be present in the seminar.

When questioned by Fijivillage, Commission chairman Professor Yash Ghai confirmed that the military was invited, however, some issues came up.

He said he has also given an explanation to the Prime Minister.

Professor Ghai said these talks have to take place and he wants to know the public’s view on the role of the military.

The military has confirmed to Fijivillage that it will not take part in the seminar organized by the Constitution Commission and the Fiji National University in Nasinu.
           
RFMF Land Force Commander Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga said the Military Council will soon be making a formal submission on behalf of the RFMF to the commission.

Colonel Tikoitoga said the submission will address among other things the formation of the government after 2014.

He said the military believes it is inappropriate for the RFMF to take part in a public forum of this nature.

He said the Military Council will make its submission and then wait like the rest of the country for the constitutional process to take its course.

The panel of experts in the seminar are former Chief of Territorial Affairs for the Indonesian National Armed Forces General Agus Widjojo, Associate Professor of the Department of Political Science of University of Chicago Dan Slater and a graduate of USP and University of Christchurch dealing with history, politics, economics and international law Raijeli Nicole.

Story by: Vijay Narayan


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