Ratu Aisea Katonivere is a Fijian chief and politician from the northern Province of Macuata, where he is the Paramount Chief and Chairman of the Provincial Council. He holds the title of Caumatalevu na Turaga na Tui Macuata, which is usually abbreviated to Tui Macuata. Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. ... Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. ... Fiji is divided administratively into four divisions, which are further subdivided into fourteen provinces. ... Macuata is one of Fijis fourteen Provinces, and one of three based principally on the northern island of Vanua Levu, occupying the north-eastern 40 percent of the island. ...

Political career

In the parliamentary election of 2001, he contested the Macuata Fijian Communal Constituency for the United Fiji Party (SDL), but was defeated by Isireli Leweniqila of the Conservative Alliance (CAMV). On 23 February 2006, he announced his candidacy for the Presidency or Vice-Presidency. When Great Council of Chiefs met on 8 March, however, it reelected Ratu Josefa Iloilo as President and Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi as Vice-President. See Fiji presidential election, 2006. The Constitution of Fiji was restored by a Supreme Court decision, following the failure of the Fiji coup of 2000. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... Communal constituencies have been the most durable feature of the Fijian electoral system. ... Politics of Fiji Categories: Fiji-related stubs | Fijian political parties ... Hon. ... The Conservative Alliance (Matanitu Vanua in Fijian) is a nationalistic political party in Fiji. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fiji became a republic in 1987, when Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom formally abdicated as Queen of Fiji, following two military coups led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka. ... The Fijian vice-presidency is a mostly ceremonial office. ... The Great Council of Chiefs (Bose Levu Vakaturaga in Fijian) is a constitutional body in the Republic of the Fiji Islands. ... March 8 is the 67th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (68th in Leap years). ... Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. ... Ratu Josefa Iloilo Uluivuda (born December 29, 1920) is the President of Fiji. ... Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. ... Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi (born 1957) is the Vice-President of Fiji. ... Elections to the offices of President and Vice-President of Fiji are scheduled to take place on 8 March 2006, when the Great Council of Chiefs is due to meet as an electoral college at the Tradewinds Convention Centre in Lami on 8 March. ...

Unity Bill

Katonivere has taken some unusual positions for a Vanua Levu chief. He announced on 2 June 2005 that he was withdrawing his previous support for the controversial Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill, after Attorney-General Qoriniasi Bale clarified that the legislation included provisions for amnesty to be granted to persons convicted of involvement in the Fiji coup of 2000. "I do not support its amnesty provisions," Katonivere said. "The majority of our sons who were convicted have accepted, suffered and served sentences for their deeds. People should learn to respect the law and abide by it, and face the consequences. Only then will they learn from their mistakes ... To suspend or hinder the process of law by the judiciary will not be championed by me." Vanua Levu is the second largest island of Fiji, and was formerly known as Sandalwood Island. ... 2 June is the 153rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (154th in leap years), with 212 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Reconciliation and Unity Commission is a proposed government body to be set up if the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill, which was introduced into the Fijian Parliament on May 4, 2005, is passed. ... Qoriniasi Bale, Attorney-General of Fiji Qoriniasi Babitu Bale is a lawyer and political leader, who is currently Fijis Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, offices he has held on two separate occasions. ... Amnesty (from the Greek amnestia, oblivion) is an act of justice by which the supreme power in a state restores those who may have been guilty of any offence against it to the position of innocent persons. ... The Fiji coup of 2000 was a complicated affair involving a civilian putsch by hardline Fijian nationalists against the elected government of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry on 19 May 2000, the attempt by President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to assert executive authority on 27 May, and his own resignation, possibly...

Other controversies

Katonivere has a reputation as a strong conservationist and has taken a stand against the killing of turtles in his tribal area. He has also taken action against illegal fishing. As of 10 March 2006, his handling of one such incident is the subject of a police investigation. A Seaqaqa police officer told the Fiji Sun on 8 March that a complaint had been lodged by a Ratu Orisi Turogo, whose fishing boat and 300-kilogram catch had allegedly been confiscated at knife-point on Katonivere's orders. His F$7000 fishing net had also been destroyed, and the engine of his boat damaged, Turogo claimed. Katonivere allegedly demanded $F2000 for the return of his boat. Elipi Vocea, Police Commander of the Northern Division, supported Turogo's version of events, and said that what the villagers had done at Katonivere's behest was unlawful. Suborders Cryptodira Pleurodira See text for families. ... March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (70th in Leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 8 is the 67th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (68th in Leap years). ... Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. ... The Fijian dollar is the currency of Fiji. ... The Fijian dollar is the currency of Fiji. ...