Qarase seeks help in Australia
17-Feb-2009 09:07 AM

DEPOSED Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has began directly lobbying for support in Australia, seeking funds for his Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party and speaking about the Fiji situation to supporters there.

The ABC reported that Qarase wants other countries to adopt the travel bans Australia and New Zealand have on people associated with the interim government.

“The other Pacific Island members of the Forum [will] be asked to impose a similar travel ban on personnel within the regime in Fiji,” he said.

“The interim regime doesn’t like it because it is very effective.”

Qarase is visiting Australia to raise funds from supporters of his political party which was removed from power in the December 2006 coup and at the same time visit his children and grandchildren.

The ABC quotes Qarase saying the party has “mounted some very expensive legal cases in Fiji and we need that financial support”.

The Brisbane meeting began with a prayer by Methodist Pastor Peceli Viriki citing passages from the Bible.

Qarase said he remained hopeful political talks brokered by the United Nations and the Commonwealth would eventuate, but he said interim regime leader, Frank Bainimarama’s behaviour was not encouraging for his Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party.

“The regime speaks of an inclusive dialogue and then it threatens to exclude from the talks those like the SDL who have different views,” he said.

“Their message is, ‘Agree with the regime, do what we say or else.’” Qarase says the event is part of a fund raising trip.

“We have mounted some very expensive legal cases in Fiji and we need that financial support,” he said. Qarase will go to Sydney on the next leg of his Australian tour.

Meanwhile, the ABC reported that at the Brisbane meeting Qarase said the military-led interim government was ruling through fear.

“I was warned by anonymous callers that I would be killed or thrown into jail,” the ABC quoted saying.

“There is an ever-present threat of the use of force against those opposed to what is happening,” Qarase said.