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\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 CRIMINAL APPEAL CASE NO.: HAA 058 OF 2004
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 BETWEEN:
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 RAJESH PRASAD }{\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 s/o Jaishin Prasad
\par Appellant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 AND:
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\par }{\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 Respondent
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\par Counsel: Appellant \endash  in Person
\par Mr. N. Lajendra \endash  for Respondent
\par 
\par Date of Hearing: 23rd July, 2004
\par Date of Judgment: 4th August, 2004
\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 JUDGMENT
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\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 Background
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\par The appellant pleaded guilty to one charge of acting with intent to cause grievous harm.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
He was sentenced on the 20th of February, 2004 to 3 \'bd years in jail.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 He appeals against that sentence.
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\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 Particulars of the Offence
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 On the 4th of February, 2004 the appellant and his wife had an argument.
}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 He was angry about an alleged extra marital affair she was having.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 He turned that anger into physical violence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
He repeatedly punched and kicked her with his bare feet and then beat her about the body with a broom handle.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
His rage did not end there.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 He then went and got kerosene and poured it over her.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 He said he was going to burn her.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 He went to get matches and was about to strike the match when his wife managed to escape from the house.
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\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167067 {\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 The Appeal
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\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 The appellant was unrepresented.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 He was advised of rights to representation and legal aid but declined these.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 He elected to proceed with the appeal in person.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 He relied on the contents of his appeal notice and supplemented that with a hand written letter.
\par 
\par The couple have been married for ten years.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 The appellant worked as a labourer. 
\par 
\par He continues to express great remorse over what he did to his wife.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
He is concerned that a prolonged detention in jail will completely destroy his marriage and wreck his family relationship with the children.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 He came to the appeal court supported by his wife.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
She and he have reconciled.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
This has been brought about by counseling assistance offered from both Social Welfare and the Salvation Army.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
Mrs. Prasad does not intend to dissolve the marriage.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 She wants the relationship to continue.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 She is having great difficulty surviving without the appellant\rquote s income.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 She tells me that the children constantly ask about their father and they miss him greatly.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 She assures me that if the appellant was to return home she would now feel safe.
\par 
\par The appellant tells me that on the day of sentencing he wanted the Court to know that he had reconciled, but was not given the chance to say so.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 He is mistaken about that because clearly the issue of reconciliation is noted in the Court record. 
\par 
\par The appellant strongly asserts that for these reasons the sentence of 3\'bd years imprisonment was harsh and excessive.
\par 
\par The State filed helpful written submissions.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
Their position essentially is that this sort of offending cannot be tolerated in a civilized society.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 They poin
t to a number of decisions that support in principle lengthy, immediate and fully custodial sentences as the inevitable outcome of this kind of domestic violence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 In support of that proposition they cite:
\par 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\b\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang 
{\pntxta .}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 State v Shiu Sami and}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 Shiu Kumar}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 , Criminal Appeal No. AAU0007 of 1995.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 The appellant tries to run down the victim with a car.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
Victim thrown into a drain, breaks leg.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 Jealousy and love triangle.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 The Court of Appeal upheld a sentence for 5 years imprisonment. 
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\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 Ram Sami v The State}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 , Criminal Appeal No. 5 of 1993.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 While cane harvesting the appellant became suspicious about the possibility of an affair by his wife with another worker.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 He pursued the worker into the sugarcane fields and took to him with a cane knife inflicting permanent injuries to both limbs, the head and face of the victim.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 The High Court sentenced him to 3 years imprisonment.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 The Court of Appeal upheld that sentence.
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\b\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}}\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang 
{\pntxta .}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 Epeli Delai v The State}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 , Criminal Appeal HAA 022 of 1995S.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
Domestic argument dissolving into violence where the appellant took to his partner with a piece of timber and hit her repeatedly all over the body until she was unconscious.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 On appeal the sentence was reduced to 18 months imprisonment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par However, on page 15 his honour Justice Pain said:
\par }\pard\plain \s17\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 \f37\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 

\par }\pard\plain \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid13136331 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\i\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
"Such, a deliberate and prolonged attack with a weapon upon a defenceless woman who suffers these injuries must attract condign punishment. The learned Magistr
ate rightly observed that this was a serious offence and deterrence was a consideration. The Court must play its part in ensuring that women in the community are protected and the sentence must reflect the disapproval of society to such conduct. For these
 reasons an immediate prison sentence is appropriate."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par I fully agree.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167067 {\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 Decision
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 I see nothing wrong in the sentence that was passed.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 The learned Magistrate properly constructed her sentencing decision.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 She considered a proper starting point and then took into account aggravating and mitigating factors to arrive at the total sentence of 3\'bd years imprisonment.
\par 
\par The learned Magistrate was quite correct that the sentence serves as a }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
message to potential offenders that resort to violence in settling domestic disputes is not and will not be tolerated by the Court.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331 "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par 
\par It is always difficult for the Court to balance the personal and private interests of a family against the proper sentencing principle and public interest in domestic violence cases.
\par 
\par Frequently by the time of sentence and often at sentence appeal victims and offenders have made up their differences and simply want to move on in life.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 Perhaps this is created out of a sense of duty born out of years of companionship.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 Often these pleas are made because families struggle financially in the absence of the prime breadwinner.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 Frequently the Court gets to form a view that the reconciliation is more to do with issues of power and dominance from the domestic relationship where the victim has beco
me so dependent on her abuser and so powerless}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
that she has learned only helplessness and cannot make wise life choices because of that debilitation.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par 
\par It is for that reason that while the Court may have sympathy for the late plea of reconciliation nonetheless this must be weighed against the need for vigilance in the eradication of domestic violence.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 The public have a right to expect zero tolerance for any violence especially that occurring within the home.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 The protection of the weak and powerless in society requires a movement from rhetoric to reality.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par 
\par The reality for this appellant is that he deserved an immediate custodial sentence of some length to p
roperly punish his actions, deter him and demonstrate to potential offenders like him that anger converted into violent action particularly against the powerless will not be tolerated.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 The rhetoric of reconciliation has to survive the reality of the rule of law to properly influence sentence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 It has not done so here.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167067 {\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 Conclusion
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
The sentence was well within the range of available penalties for offending of this kind.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 It was not harsh and excessive.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 The appeal is dismissed.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167067 {\b\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid3167067 Gerard Winter
\par JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13136331 {\fs24\insrsid13136331\charrsid13136331 At Suva
\par 4th August, 2004
\par }}