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SPEIGHT
OF VIOLENCE – 3 PERSPECTIVES OF THE 2000 COUP |
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By Ruci Farrell |
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Five years ago, Fiji's fortunes took a backward tumble
when George Speight and his cronies dealt democracy and civil liberties
a stinging backslap.
The economy took a nosedive, law and order disappeared momentarily,
there was a major exodus of skilled workforce and ordinary folk in the
streets stopped talking to each other.
On May 19, 2000 marchers walked the length of Suva protesting against
Mahendra Chaudhry and his Labour government. Someone took over
that crusade and called it his own.
Have the coups justified their cause for indigenous rights?
Was the 2000 coup a plot by disgruntled politicians to dethrone
Mahendra Chaudhry or was it the work of an ambitious few eager to lay
their hands on the millions from the harvest of mature Mahogany?
The aggrieved were not only Indo Fijians. Countless others who make up
Fiji's multiracial mix lost their jobs, their dignity, their
aspirations and the country's reputation was tarnished.
Chaudhry's deputy at the time was academic Dr Tupeni Baba. His wife
Unaisi Nabobo Baba was seven months pregnant and Pacific media
specialist Michael Field, as always, was on the spot when the events
unfolded.
All three have compiled their experiences and thoughts into a book
called Speight of Violence: Inside Fiji's 2000 coup which was launched
at Fale Pasifika by NZ's Minister for Foreign Affairs Phil Goff.
I was in government on both coups and can confirm the shock and anguish
we felt for the democratic leadership of Fiji and for those Fijians who
were the innocent victims of the coups, Goff said at the launch.
We accept no justification for the use of armed forces to remove
governments legitimately in power with a mandate won through the
democratic process.
Mr Goff said the book identifies the concepts of taukei (people of the
land) and vulagi (visitors) and likened it to NZ between tangata whenua
and tauiwi, which translates as strangers.
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Fiji parliamentarian Dr Tupeni Baba and wife Unaisi Nabobo Baba
are the other two of the three authors of the book ‘Speight of
Violence’: Inside Fiji’s 2000 coup.
(Photos: Ruci Farrell) |
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Well respected Pacific media specialist Michael Field, one of
the three authors of the book ‘Speight of Violence’ with
insights on the coup from a journalistic point of view.
(Photos: Ruci Farrell) |
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Foreign Minister and Minister of Pacific Islands Affairs, Hon.
Phil Goff with guests and community representatives at the
‘Speight of Violence’ book launch.
(Photo: Ruci Farrell) |
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Goff said how Fiji deals with the problem of divergence
between ethnic groups remains a challenge for the country.
NZ's choice of economic and smart sanctions ahead of military
intervention targeting individuals and the barring of rugby contact hit
Fiji in the guts.
Change and a solution to problems in Fiji can only be achieved by
Fijians themselves. For any solution to work there has to be local
ownership of that solution, Goff said.
Fiji can only gain from utilizing the strength of all its communities
and can only gain socially and economically by entrenching the
democratic process and good governance.
Also at the launch was the former Secretary General of Fiji's Methodist
Church Dr Reverend Ilaitia Tuwere who provided a poignant yet truthful
observation on the contents of Speight of Violence: Inside Fiji's 2000
coup.
Not only were the hostages victims during those very difficult 56 days
in Parliament. Their families as well wives, relatives and children
as Una Nabobo Baba so powerfully relates in her stories and personal
letters.
As I read her letters and stories I could hear not only the voice of a
mother a mother expecting a baby, I also hear the voice of the
feminine, liga ni magiti (the hand that provides): the underside in
Fiji's situation of our common humanity.
The work of the Red Cross during the 56 days is well documented. We
need more of this in Fiji today, the feminine saide, always there ready
to help, Dr Tuwere said.
One can conclude that the coups in Fiji have demonstrated clearly that
men, the masculine, liga ni wau (warrior) have messed up the land of
our birth.
By implication the book is calling for a balanced view of life, a
household of life with a human face.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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