I don’t feel betrayed: Qarase
Friday August 17, 2007

Fiji’s ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase says he does not feel betrayed by the actions of former Home Affairs minister Joketani Cokanasiga when he joined the Voreqe Bainimarama-led interim Government.

Cokanasiga, who once served under Qarase’s Cabinet, has accepted an offer by Bainimarama to become the minister for Fisheries and Forests, saying he was answering the call of the nation.

Speaking from his home island of Mavana, Lau this morning, Qarase said Cokanasiga would “make a good addition to the interim Government”.

“He made a personal decision to join the interim Government, that is his right and I wish him well.

“Cokanasiga is a very experienced administrator and he was a good minister when he was part of my Government,” he said.

Qarase said Cokanasiga did not contest the last general election so they had assumed he left the SDL party.

Qarase said he was also pleased about the fact that the interim Government recognizes the importance of the Fisheries and Forestry sector making it a ministry on its own.