Qarase was plotting to remove Ratu Josefa Iloilo and investigate me – Bainimarama

FijiFirst leader Voreqe Bainimarama said he took over the Laisenia Qarase led government in 2006 because of the racial differences being promoted by the government.

Speaking to about 800 people at the Ra Provincial ground yesterday, Bainimarama recalled the day he appointed the caretaker government in 2000 which later won the election in 2001 led by Qarase.

Bainimarama said he thought that the former SDL led government would move away from creating racial differences which led to the events of 2000 but that did not happen.

He added that he did advise the former SDL government to take away the racial differences and he told them that his soldiers sacrificed their lives during the events of 2000 in trying to take away racial divide.

Bainimarama said after his advice to the government, Qarase decided to conduct an investigation on Bainimarama for speaking against the government.

They were then called in by the late former President Tui Vuda, Ratu Josefa Iloilo for a meeting.

Bainimarama said in that meeting he then revealed to the late former President that Qarase was plotting to remove Ratu Josefa Iloilo just after two weeks of becoming the President of Fiji.                 

Bainimarama then stressed that for the country to move forward Fiji must move away from racial discrimination that has prevented the growth of our country.

When contacted by Fijivillage on this issue, Qarase refused to comment.