THE Lau Province has indicated it is going to support the military in taking the country back to democratic rule.
At the second day of the Lau Provincial Council meeting at the Fijian Teachers Association Hall in Suva yesterday, the agenda of the meeting steered clear of any political discussions.
Roko Tui Lau Peni Sokia said there was no discussion of the country's political situation on the agenda of the three-day meeting and he didn't expect it to be brought up by any of the council members.
"We are not touching anything on the political issue," said Mr Sokia.
"Lau is respecting what is going on today. We are standing by what the military says until they take us to the next election or parliament."
The meeting yesterday saw a presentation by Doctor Mosese Salusalu of the HIV/AIDS taskforce.
Mr Sokia said they invited the doctor to speak on the issue for those present to take back what they have learnt during the presentation to their districts (tikina) and villages. After the morning session there was a meeting of chiefs of Lau while the tikina representatives met with government officials to bring up issues their areas are facing.
There was also a display of handicraft by the women of the province as well as a show of garden harvest by the men. Mr Sokia said at the meeting it had been stressed that the people of Lau look up to their paramount chiefs.
The children of the late Tui Nayau Ratu Kamisese Mara were also present at the meeting.
His younger son Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara opened the meeting on Wednesday in place of his brother Ratu Finau Mara who was held up with work commitments.
Mr Sokia said it was their recognition of the Vuanirewa clan and the chiefly family that prompted the invite. He stressed it wasn't a political move.
Ratu Tevita is also the 3FIR commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
