Laisenia Qarase (pronounced [lai̯seni̯a ŋɡaˈrase]; 4 February 1941 – 21 April 2020)[1] was a Fijian politician. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006. After the military quashed the coup that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudhry, Qarase joined the Interim Military Government as a financial adviser on 9 June 2000, until his appointment as Prime Minister on 4 July. He won two parliamentary elections, but a military coup removed him from power on 5 December 2006. He was later imprisoned on corruption charges brought by the military-backed regime.
Qarase was born in 1941 into the Tota clan in Mavana on Vanua Balavu, the son of Josateki Mate of Mavana village. After attending local schools, he enrolled at Suva Boys Grammar School. Following his education at Suva Boys Grammar School, Qarase left Fiji in 1959 and went on to graduate from New Zealand's University of Auckland with a degree in Commerce. He got his first job at the Fijian Affairs Board and served as a career civil servant at the ministries of Finance, Commerce and Industry and Public Service. He entered the banking profession and became the first ethnic Fijian managing director of the publicly owned Fiji Development Bank (FDB) in 1983, a position he held for fifteen years. After the 1987 coup, he was called in by the new government to help to rebuild the damaged economy. He introduced the nine-point plan which oversaw extended government assistance to Fijians and the creation of Fijian Holdings. However, the plan mostly resulted in bankruptcies and he was embroiled in a scandal in Fijian Holdings over the acquisition of shares by his family. In 1994, he became the chairman of Fiji Television and clashed with the government for not consulting him over its plans to introduce US investment into the company.[2]
Qarase had Indigenous Fijian, Tongan, and Jewish ancestry.[3] Qarase's mother is the daughter of John Herman Ma’afu Bowman, who had Jewish parents, Alexander Bowman and Sara Annette.[4][5] He was married to Leba Qarase, with whom he had five children. Qarase was a chief in his native village of Mavana, on the island of Vanua Balavu, where he held the traditional chiefly title of Tui Kobuco.[6]
On the occasion of his 65th birthday on 4 February 2006, Qarase stated that if re-elected in the election that was duly held on 6–13 May, it would very likely be his last term in office. He won re-election, but continuing disagreements between his government and the powerful Republic of Fiji Military Forces culminated in a military coup on 5 December. Fiji Village reported the next day that he had been flown to his home island of Vanuabalavu by the military, while Radio New Zealand claimed that he had fled there. He told Radio New Zealand that he was "down but not out"; he intended to fight on, and called for a peaceful popular uprising. On the same day it was reported that he had asked for military assistance from Australia. The BBC reported that after being warned by Commodore Bainimarama not to "incite violence", Prime Minister Qarase planned to return to Suva, from which he was banished, but was warned that he faced arrest if he returned.[7]
From Vanuabalavu, he remained outspoken in condemning the military takeover, comparing the new regime to those of Saddam Hussein, Adolf Hitler, and Idi Amin,[8] in an interview quoted in the Fiji Times and Fiji Village on 13 and 14 December 2006.
On 2 February, Fiji Village quoted Qarase as having told Radio Australia that he was considering contesting the election to restore democracy, expected to be held within the next five years. Qarase called for the date to be brought forward.[9]
On 6 September 2007, Bainimarama imposed a renewed state of emergency for one month, alleging that Qarase and his spokesman, Peceli Kinivuwai, were spreading lies and attempting to cause destabilization, following Qarase's return to Suva after having been confined to Vanuabalavu since his ousting.[10] Bainimarama said that Qarase and his spokesman should return to Vanuabalavu and that they could "talk from there."[11]
Qarase initiated a court challenge to the coup on 4 October 2007.[12] Martial law was lifted on 6 October[13] on the grounds that there was no threat.[14]
Elections were tentatively set in February 2009 but did not occur until September 2014. Qarase was one of several politicians banned from running for office and his political party was forced to disband. It reorganised, but was forced to take a name in English, not Fijian (Social Democratic Liberal Party). It was later forced to change its initials to not match Qarase's former party, although its policy positions remained similar.
Financing allegations
In January 2010, it was reported that Qarase would stand trial on charges, brought by the Military-backed interim government, of abusing his office. Qarase was found guilty of abusing his office and failing to perform his duty, and sentenced on 3 August 2012 to one year in prison. His supporters say the charges were politically motivated.[15]
"Ousted Fiji leader talks about life after the coup", AAP, 5 August 2008
References
Wikiquote has quotations related to Laisenia Qarase.
^"Laisenia Qarase, former Fiji PM bookended by coups, dies at 79". RNZ. 21 April 2020. from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
^Profiles of People in Power: The World's Government Leaders. Routledge. 3 June 2014. p. 172. ISBN9781317639404. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
^Vuataki, K. (22 April 2013). Chapter 32. Softly Fiji. p. 272. ISBN9781449789961. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2015. He was from Vanua Balavu in northern Lau and had native Fijian, Tongan, and Jewish ancestry.
^"John Abrahams". fijilandofourfathers.com. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
^"Former PM Qarase's final wish". FijiTimes. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
^"Qarase is Tui Kobuco in Mavana Village". Fijian Culture and Custom. fijidailypost.com. 3 January 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
^. Fijilive. 12 December 2006. Archived from the original on 3 January 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
^. Fiji Times Online. 14 December 2006. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012.
^. fijivillage.com. 2 February 2007. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007.
^"Emergency rule declared in Fiji". BBC News. 7 September 2007. from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
^"Martial law declared in Fiji – again". The New Zealand Herald. NZPA / AAP. 6 September 2007. from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
^"Ousted Fiji prime minister begins court challenge to legality of 2006 military coup", Associated Press (International Herald Tribune), 4 October 2007.
^"Martial law lifted in Fiji". Television New Zealand. 6 October 2007. from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
^"Fiji's military government to lift state of emergency after no 'threat to nation' found", Associated Press (International Herald Tribune), 5 October 2007.
^"Fiji's former prime minister Laisenia Qarase jailed over corruption". The Guardian. London: GMG. 3 August 2012. ISSN 0261-3077. OCLC 60623878. from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
laisenia, qarase, pronounced, seni, ŋɡaˈrase, february, 1941, april, 2020, fijian, politician, served, sixth, prime, minister, fiji, from, 2000, 2006, after, military, quashed, coup, that, removal, mahendra, chaudhry, qarase, joined, interim, military, governm. Laisenia Qarase pronounced lai seni a ŋɡaˈrase 4 February 1941 21 April 2020 1 was a Fijian politician He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006 After the military quashed the coup that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudhry Qarase joined the Interim Military Government as a financial adviser on 9 June 2000 until his appointment as Prime Minister on 4 July He won two parliamentary elections but a military coup removed him from power on 5 December 2006 He was later imprisoned on corruption charges brought by the military backed regime The Right HonourableLaisenia QaraseQarase in 2004Prime Minister of FijiIn office 16 March 2001 5 December 2006PresidentJosefa IloiloPreceded byTevita MomoedonuSucceeded byJona SenilagakaliIn office 4 July 2000 14 March 2001PresidentRatu Josefa Iloilovatu UluivudaPreceded byVacantSucceeded byTevita MomoedonuMember for LauIn office 2001 2006Preceded byKoila NailatikauSucceeded byOffice abolishedPersonal detailsBorn 1941 02 04 4 February 1941Vanua Balavu Colony of FijiDied21 April 2020 2020 04 21 aged 79 Suva FijiPolitical partySoqosoqo Duavata ni LewenivanuaSpouseLeba Qarase 2020 his death Children5A native of Vanua Balavu Island in the Lau archipelago he was one of many Lauans to have held top leadership positions in Fiji Contents 1 Early and personal life 2 2006 coup and aftermath 2 1 Financing allegations 3 Cabinet 4 Sources 5 External links 6 ReferencesEarly and personal life EditQarase was born in 1941 into the Tota clan in Mavana on Vanua Balavu the son of Josateki Mate of Mavana village After attending local schools he enrolled at Suva Boys Grammar School Following his education at Suva Boys Grammar School Qarase left Fiji in 1959 and went on to graduate from New Zealand s University of Auckland with a degree in Commerce He got his first job at the Fijian Affairs Board and served as a career civil servant at the ministries of Finance Commerce and Industry and Public Service He entered the banking profession and became the first ethnic Fijian managing director of the publicly owned Fiji Development Bank FDB in 1983 a position he held for fifteen years After the 1987 coup he was called in by the new government to help to rebuild the damaged economy He introduced the nine point plan which oversaw extended government assistance to Fijians and the creation of Fijian Holdings However the plan mostly resulted in bankruptcies and he was embroiled in a scandal in Fijian Holdings over the acquisition of shares by his family In 1994 he became the chairman of Fiji Television and clashed with the government for not consulting him over its plans to introduce US investment into the company 2 Qarase had Indigenous Fijian Tongan and Jewish ancestry 3 Qarase s mother is the daughter of John Herman Ma afu Bowman who had Jewish parents Alexander Bowman and Sara Annette 4 5 He was married to Leba Qarase with whom he had five children Qarase was a chief in his native village of Mavana on the island of Vanua Balavu where he held the traditional chiefly title of Tui Kobuco 6 2006 coup and aftermath EditMain article 2006 Fijian coup d etat On the occasion of his 65th birthday on 4 February 2006 Qarase stated that if re elected in the election that was duly held on 6 13 May it would very likely be his last term in office He won re election but continuing disagreements between his government and the powerful Republic of Fiji Military Forces culminated in a military coup on 5 December Fiji Village reported the next day that he had been flown to his home island of Vanuabalavu by the military while Radio New Zealand claimed that he had fled there He told Radio New Zealand that he was down but not out he intended to fight on and called for a peaceful popular uprising On the same day it was reported that he had asked for military assistance from Australia The BBC reported that after being warned by Commodore Bainimarama not to incite violence Prime Minister Qarase planned to return to Suva from which he was banished but was warned that he faced arrest if he returned 7 From Vanuabalavu he remained outspoken in condemning the military takeover comparing the new regime to those of Saddam Hussein Adolf Hitler and Idi Amin 8 in an interview quoted in the Fiji Times and Fiji Village on 13 and 14 December 2006 On 2 February Fiji Village quoted Qarase as having told Radio Australia that he was considering contesting the election to restore democracy expected to be held within the next five years Qarase called for the date to be brought forward 9 On 6 September 2007 Bainimarama imposed a renewed state of emergency for one month alleging that Qarase and his spokesman Peceli Kinivuwai were spreading lies and attempting to cause destabilization following Qarase s return to Suva after having been confined to Vanuabalavu since his ousting 10 Bainimarama said that Qarase and his spokesman should return to Vanuabalavu and that they could talk from there 11 Qarase initiated a court challenge to the coup on 4 October 2007 12 Martial law was lifted on 6 October 13 on the grounds that there was no threat 14 Elections were tentatively set in February 2009 but did not occur until September 2014 Qarase was one of several politicians banned from running for office and his political party was forced to disband It reorganised but was forced to take a name in English not Fijian Social Democratic Liberal Party It was later forced to change its initials to not match Qarase s former party although its policy positions remained similar Financing allegations Edit In January 2010 it was reported that Qarase would stand trial on charges brought by the Military backed interim government of abusing his office Qarase was found guilty of abusing his office and failing to perform his duty and sentenced on 3 August 2012 to one year in prison His supporters say the charges were politically motivated 15 Cabinet EditMinistersPortfolio Portrait Minister ConstituencyPrime Minister National Reconciliation Laisenia Qarase LauDeputy Prime Minister Fijian Affairs Epeli Nailatikau None Great Council of Chiefs Minister for Justice Alipate Qetaki NoneFinance National Planning Jone Kubuabola South West UrbanForeign Affairs External Trade Sugar Kaliopate Tavola LamiCommerce Business Development and Investment Tomasi Vuetilovoni RaTourism Information Jone Koroitamana NoneMinister for Public Enterprises and Public Sector Reform Hector Hatch NoneInformation Communication Inoke Kubuabola None Senate Labour Industrial Relations Tevita Momoedonu VudaHome Affairs Immigration Talemo Ratakele None Senate Women Culture Social Welfare Teimumu Kepa RewaEducation Nelson Delailomaloma NoneWorks and Energy Joketani Cokanasiga SeruaYouth Employment Opportunities Sports Keni Dakuidreketi NoneHealth Pita Nacuva Nadroga NavosaLocal Government Housing Environment Tu uakitau Cokanauto TailevuAgriculture Fisheries Forests ALTA Apisai Tora NoneRegional Development Multi Ethnic Affairs Inoke Takiveikata None Senate Lands and Mineral Resources Mitieli Bulanauca BuaAssistant MinistersPortfolio Portrait Minister ConstituencyFijian Affairs Suliano Matanitobua NamosiFijian and Rotuman Affairs Finau Tabakaucoro NoneWomen Culture Social Welfare Senimili Dyer Tailevu South LomaivitiWomen Culture Social Welfare Bernadette Ganilau NoneAgriculture Fisheries Rotuma Marieta Rigamoto RotumaEducation Semi Seruvakula NonePolice Kolinio Rokotuinaceva None Great Council of Chiefs Regional Development George Shiu Raj NoneSources EditAbout the 2000 interim cabinet French Fijian parliamentary websiteExternal links Edit Ousted Fiji leader talks about life after the coup AAP 5 August 2008References Edit Wikiquote has quotations related to Laisenia Qarase Laisenia Qarase former Fiji PM bookended by coups dies at 79 RNZ 21 April 2020 Archived from the original on 22 April 2020 Retrieved 21 April 2020 Profiles of People in Power The World s Government Leaders Routledge 3 June 2014 p 172 ISBN 9781317639404 Archived from the original on 21 February 2021 Retrieved 9 March 2020 Vuataki K 22 April 2013 Chapter 32 Softly Fiji p 272 ISBN 9781449789961 Archived from the original on 21 February 2021 Retrieved 4 August 2015 He was from Vanua Balavu in northern Lau and had native Fijian Tongan and Jewish ancestry John Abrahams fijilandofourfathers com Retrieved 9 July 2022 Former PM Qarase s final wish FijiTimes Retrieved 9 July 2022 Qarase is Tui Kobuco in Mavana Village Fijian Culture and Custom fijidailypost com 3 January 2009 Retrieved 22 August 2015 Clark concerned about Qarase s plans Fijilive 12 December 2006 Archived from the original on 3 January 2007 Retrieved 13 November 2008 Fiji is slipping into dictatorship Qarase Fiji Times Online 14 December 2006 Archived from the original on 23 February 2012 Qarase May Consider Return to Power if Elections Held Early fijivillage com 2 February 2007 Archived from the original on 2 February 2007 Emergency rule declared in Fiji BBC News 7 September 2007 Archived from the original on 8 October 2019 Retrieved 12 May 2019 Martial law declared in Fiji again The New Zealand Herald NZPA AAP 6 September 2007 Archived from the original on 29 September 2007 Retrieved 13 October 2011 Ousted Fiji prime minister begins court challenge to legality of 2006 military coup Associated Press International Herald Tribune 4 October 2007 Martial law lifted in Fiji Television New Zealand 6 October 2007 Archived from the original on 16 May 2011 Retrieved 13 October 2011 Fiji s military government to lift state of emergency after no threat to nation found Associated Press International Herald Tribune 5 October 2007 Fiji s former prime minister Laisenia Qarase jailed over corruption The Guardian London GMG 3 August 2012 ISSN 0261 3077 OCLC 60623878 Archived from the original on 6 January 2016 Retrieved 7 November 2012 Political officesVacant Prime Minister of Fiji2000 2001 Succeeded byRatu Tevita MomoedonuPreceded byRatu Tevita Momoedonu Prime Minister of Fiji2001 2006 Succeeded byJona Senilagakali Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Laisenia Qarase amp oldid 1141383017, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
