He says the accusation that they have remained silent, in the face of the abandonment by the interim government of the People's Charter principles, is untrue.

The writer says they did speak out in a 17 November 2011 letter to interim Fiji Prime Minster Bainimarama which has not previously been made public.

He says he believes the letter goes a long way towards redeeming the reputations of these two individuals who clearly held strongly enough to the principles of their Charter to protest in no uncertain terms, when the interim government refused to abide by the principles of the People's Charter they had themselves helped formulate and approve.

He says the recommendations made by Samy and Archbishop Mataca are still of relevance to the problems that Fiji faces today, and have greater weight coming from previous Regime supporters.

Source

• Fiji Today Open Blog
• Image: Fiji Times

The Pope received Mara in an official audience for the presentation of his Letters of Credence on Friday 5 May at the Clementine Hall in Vatican City. He was received with four other new non resident ambassadors fro Ethiopia, Ireland, Armenia, and Malaysia.

As has become tradition the Holy Father, speaking in French, delivered one general address to the group which focused on how openness to God in society can help overcome the 'spiritual and material' poverty that the current economic crisis has produced.

The Fiji Sun reports that "in receiving Mara, Pope Benedict wished Fiji well for its development agenda in the social, economical and political arenas."

The Sun also reported that before meeting the Pope Mara briefed senior Vatican officials and had separate meetings with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.

Mara briefed the Vatican officials on the implementation of the Bainimarama government's roadmap to democracy and sustainable socio-economic development, the recently announced constitutional consultation proces.

Mara said the objective of the process is to formulate an all-inclusive and truly representative constitution by 2013 and democratic election by 2014.

He said Cardinal Bertone welcomed his written and oral presentation and conveyed the Vatican's support towards the realisation of the objectives of the People's Charter.

Cardinal Bertone and Archbishop Mamberti in wishing Fiji well both assured Mr Mara that the country will be remembered in their prayers as it progresses towards its political objective in the months ahead.

Cinq nouveaux ambassadeurs non-résidents reçus par le pape

Source

• The Fiji Sun
• TheCatholicSpirit.com
• Image: www.daylife.com