Fiji Daily Post: 23 July 1998
POLITICS: FIJI CHIEFS SPLIT OVER QUEEN
Tension has risen in Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs meeting as debate has progressed on the head of state controversy.
Staff Reporters
SUVA: Tension rose in Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs meeting yesterday as debate on the head of state issue continued, a council source revealed.
The centre of debate was a recommendation by government on whether Fiji should maintain the present status quo on the head of state of revert to the Queen.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka had said that the Reeves Commission had not made any reference to the issue when it brought out its report.
Mr Rabuka said he would maintain his previous stance on the issue that the chiefs restore their close links with the crown, forged when the Vunivalu of Bau Ratu Sere Cakobau and the chiefs of Fiji ceded Fiji to Queen Victoria.
However, this tie was severed in 1987 with the military coups carried out by Mr Rabuka, then commander of the Fiji Military Forces.
The source said reference to the Reeves Report sparked a reaction from Commissioner Tomasi Vakatora who said they had not received any submissions to restore links to the crown.
Vunivalu of Natewa Ratu Tevita Vakalalabure said as a council, each member was representing his province and matanitu (confederacy).
He also emphasised the importance that despite coming from different provinces, each member had traditional ties or was related and therefore merit should come before confederacy or province.
He said that should the subject of confederacy come up, then the position of head of state should be from Burebasaga.
President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, who is the high chief of the Tovata Confederacy, made reference to the issue at hand and the fact that his own province had made a submission on the issue.
It is also understood that the council heard that they should choose a qualified person as head of state and remain the main criteria for selection.
Some members said their provinces had made submissions stating their wish to restore the chiefly link with the British monarchy.
The meeting adjourned for the day to allow members to discuss issues submitted to the council.
They are expected to come up with resolutions today.