May 17, 2012

Solomon Star: Military size is no constitutional issue, says Fiji AG


THURSDAY, 17 MAY 2012 04:50  


RNZI: Fiji’s interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says it is not for a constitution to prescribe the size of the military.

With four military-backed coups in nineteen years, questions have been raised as to whether Fiji’s fourth constitution will address issues surrounding the military and its constitutional role.

One NGO described the military as the elephant in the room and Fiji’s Constitution Commission chair Professor Yash Ghai has said its role must be addressed during consultations.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum says he stands to be corrected but no other country has prescribed in its constitution the size of the military and he does not see it as an issue.

Obviously people are free to go and say whatever they like. How that is translated into a national constitution is for us to see and the Constituent Assembly to debate.

Fiji’s interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum

- RNZI



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