Uni’s view

THERE is some thing different about Walter Lini as he emerges from his house to greet his visitor. You suddenly realise he no longer sports his almost trademark goatee. But the visitor soon discovers that despite the external change, he is the same old Lini the wily, seasoned politician.

Pacific Islands Monthly’s Martin Tif fany spoke with the former prime minister and now leader of an “indepen dent opposition” at his home in Port Vila and asked him his view of Vanuatu’s current political situation.

If I was an outsider who knew nothing about Vanuatu politics could you briefly explain the politi cal situation in Vanuatu at the moment?

I will talk about the last 18 months, since the general election. After the general election it was clear there was a need for a coalition government. The

UMP (Union of Moderate Parties) had the bigger majority so formed as the ruling party a coalition government

with Carlot as prime minister.

But the whole political situation is so divided and will continue to be divided into smaller groups. It is unsure if we will see this government end its term (late 1995) or if we will see another

majority government.

Is this government stable?

The coalition is not as stable as it was when it started and may be unable to continue. This is because the memor andum of understanding signed with the coalition has not been respected by

Ump.

That is why we (National United Party) did not want to be stuck with UMP as we were getting blamed for their decisions and could not stand up on political stands as a political party.

What about the talk of financial

mismanagement?

The government is not spending finances wisely. In 1991 when I was voted out there was a lot of reserves in government about VT7OO million and about VT4OO million in the Copra Marketing Board reserve. It is all used, there are no reserves left. The economic effect is very bad for the government,

there is no

(continued on page 36)

Martin Tiffany

Uni: could be PM again

(continued from page 27)COntrol. At the rate of current spending by the government, it is uncertain if there will be enough money to continue into the next two years. It will be shown more clearly next month (November) when the budget for next year is discussed it is going to break down.

Do you want to see fresh elections?

A lot want general elections but I would like to see the government see the term out. A new general election will not solve the problem. If held now it will still produce a result with no clear majority party. NUP would rather see a change of PM and in the government rather than a fresh election. Besides we have no funds for a fresh election.

What should the prime minister do now?

If the PM is concerned he should resign and we meet and select a new PM.

The instability is caused not by the coalition itself but the fact that the government is not able to manage its affairs and misuses it powers. Ministers travel everywhere and do not care about things such as schools, health and local government there is no money for them.

A number of government departments

are having difficulty paying their staff

each month. Some departments will stop and the whole government system will

stop it is very serious.

Who do you see becoming the next PM?

My view is the present speaker, Alfred Masseng, should become PM of a coalition government between NUP and UMP. I don’t know if he wants to be (PM), he has not been asked.

Could you realistically see a new prime minister being elected?

I have given the government three steps to follow that will save and redeem them.

I will not pursue this, I just put it to them. If they don’t think it necessary, so be it. I will just watch it till the end.

There has been talk of you becoming the next president, is this true and would you accept the post if offered?

I would not make a very good president (Lini laughs loudly). If I do (become president) it would be after I complete my term as a member of parliament and am elected as an ordinary person. And then only if there is no other person and

parliament agrees.

Do you agree with the government banning of Opposition, and I believe now your statements on Radio Vanu atu?

They are wrong. I am banned and the opposition is banned. In the 11 years I was prime minister there was more freedom of the press although there was criticism towards the end of my term.

Now there is no freedom of the media which means no freedom of expression.

There is direct control which in effect means the prime minister dictates, this goes against the democratically estab lished system.

What is your group’s position now?

I made my position clear. We are going to work with parliament. My group of six independent opposition members did not sign a memorandum of understanding with the other opposition or the govern ment. We go into the next parliament as

independent opposition.

We will push for a constitutional review committee as there are some points in the constitution that are not clear.

Is there any possibility of you returning as prime minister?

There is a possibility. NUP is developing in numbers and continues to win support in many islands. There are really only two parties in contention UMP and NUP. The Vanuaku Pati and the

Melanesian Progressive Party are going

down and the others are hardly in existence.

The NUP group will become a strong group and unless I am replaced as president of the party, I will be PM once we get the majority in government. □