The report has been circulated for a meeting to get feed-back from local experts and public servants.

It says that as a result of this colonial policy Fiji is now "a nation in crisis with its two major ethnic groups in conflict, creating deep uncertainty amid a declining economy".

It says both Fijians and Indians were victims of forces beyond them; deprived of free choice and will; both communities suffered greatly in the colonial system.

Instead of dealing with the forces that subordinated and in many respects exploited them, they regarded the other community as the obstacle to the advancement of its members - and made little effort to understand the suffering of the other.

The Chairman of Fiji's Constitution Commission, Professor Yash Ghai, says people shouldn't regard preliminary proposals for the constitution as final.

He said it is inaccurate to claim that a document with the preliminary proposals is a "leak", as has been reported in Australian and New Zealand media.

Ghai clarified that the document was circulated for a meeting with leading local experts and public servants on some preliminary proposals for the constitution.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• FBC
• FijiLive
• Image: Zeetraveller.blogspot.nz

Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu is the newly appointed president of the Fiji Methodist Church. At the University of the South Pacific seminar run by the Constitution Commission on Thursday night, Mr Waqairatu said that the government of Fiji is at a critical point.

He pointed out that Fiji is a pluralistic society and went on to say "Their positive inter-church relation in the ecumenical circle and mission should enrich their corporate ministry in the country".

He also said that Islam, Hinduism and other faiths make a contribution to the nation, and this reality must be acknowledged.

Close understanding between religious groups and the government, allied with ongoing communication, would ensure a positive future for the country.

"Fiji has been ravaged by the coup-culture with its negative repercussions psychologically embedded in the minds of the people, especially the young generation, whose behaviour has been heavily affected by the noted phenomenon," he said.

Sources

• The Fiji Times Online
• Image: Peceli Fijian Methodist Church of America

"This doesn't mean that the State is anti-religion but just a feeling that the function and responsibility of religion of beliefs within societies should be separated from the functions and policies of the institution of the State," he explained.

"We will have to look at the views we have received on this, some have been in support of separation but most have been made by Christians who want a Christian State."

"I didn't get the impression that people who asked for a Christian State fully understood what is generally meant by a secular State or separation of religion and State."

A separation of church and State is one of the guiding principles set by Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Image: Coup four and a Half