The Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) says it has not received any formal communication or invitation regarding a meeting with His Majesty King Charles III, despite comments made by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka that a GCC delegation would soon travel to England for talks with the British monarch.
GCC chairman Ratu Viliame Seruvakula said the council only became aware of the matter after the Prime Minister’s announcement.
“To date, no formal communication or invitation has been received from His Majesty King Charles III or through any official diplomatic channel,” he said.
“The reference made by the Honourable Prime Minister to this matter is, therefore, new information to the council.”
He said as a matter of principle and protocol, the GCC accords the highest respect to formal diplomatic processes.
“Should a formal invitation be received through the proper channels, the council will deliberate on the matter during its next scheduled meeting on November 25 and 26.”
“This will allow members to collectively consider the nature of the invitation and determine the appropriate course of action.”
Ratu Viliame said the GCC remained committed to conducting its affairs with dignity, transparency and respect for established procedures that guide its engagement on national and international matters.
Prime Minister Rabuka this week told chiefs at the Macuata Provincial Council meeting in Nabouono Village, Udu, that GCC representatives would travel to England for a planned dialogue with King Charles.
He said the meeting would build on President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu’s recent visit to England, where he also met with the King, adding that the engagement reflected the strong relationship between Fiji’s chiefly institutions and the British Crown.
Mr Rabuka urged provincial leaders to prepare discussion points ahead of the proposed trip.
