by ; published 15  March 2001

Mahendra P. Chaudhry
Prime Minister, Fiji Islands

Address at the ALP/FLP fundraising dinner
Sydney, March 10, 2001

The Fiji Labour Party has only been in existence for a short 16 years but in its brief, albeit turbulent history, the party has transformed the face of politics in this little South Pacific nation. Its leaders and supporters have valiantly maintained the party's multiracial ideals and democratic principles against three coups, threats of imprisonment, racial violence, AK 47s , and repressive decrees.

Good evening Ladies and gentlemen,

May I extend my very warm greetings to all our friends who have turned up in such large numbers this evening to lend support to our cause in Fiji.

Despite adverse propaganda and the degree of disinformation disseminated by our detractors about the Labour-led People's Coalition Government, a large majority of our people and supporters continue to believe steadfastly in us and have stood by us.

This is heartening.

It gives us the encouragement to continue with our struggle against powerful forces that have traditionally been pitched against Labour Parties and trade unions around the world. Elitist interest groups and big business concerns have always felt threatened by the principles of social justice and individual freedoms espoused by Labour Parties all over.

Our struggle, however, has been complicated by factors that are peculiar to our society. Racism and fundamentalist forces opposed to social and political changes, have all made it very difficult for the Fiji Labour Party to effectively serve the interests of the working people and rural dwellers. Backed by the army and the police, these forces have time and again interfered with the popular will of the people.

There is no doubt that FLP‚s conception in 1985 challenged the very fabric of Fiji‚s established political structure. It cut across the traditional race-oriented and elitist power bases of the two major political parties.

As such, Labour presented a serious challenge to the status quo in Fiji. Our multiracial appeal and policies of wide-reaching socio-economic reforms, were a real threat to entrenched political interests. It is not surprising, therefore, that the success of the Fiji Labour Party instigated the vested interests to plot three coup d'etats to overthrow two Labour governments.

Just to briefly recapture these events: in April 1987, a Labour-headed coalition led by Dr Timoci Bavadra, swept to power unseating Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, and his Alliance Party, from its 17-year perch on power.

But we were not allowed to govern for long. Within a month, the Bavadra government was ousted by the Fiji Military Forces.

Racial politics simmering just beneath the façade of multiracial harmony and tolerance Fiji presented to the outside world, was exploited to win acceptance for this act of treason.

It is noteworthy that the main beneficiaries of this coup were members of the old power bloc. Undaunted, Labour remained a pivotal figure in Fiji politics fighting the repressive, racist and undemocratic elements ushered to the forefront by the coups of 1987.

A significant plus for us during this distressing period was Labour's continued links with its sister parties overseas particularly in Australia and New Zealand and the international trade union movement.

They provided tremendous practical assistance, encouragement and moral support for which we are very grateful. At a time when political activities were banned, trade unions provided the springboard from which pro-democracy forces launched their counter-offensive against the authoritarian regime.

It was a long period of struggle during which the party remained behind the people fighting for their rights and giving vent to their concerns. And we emerged from this crisis much stronger, as evidenced by our performance in the 1999 general elections, the first democratic elections since the 1987 coups.

Labour once again swept the polls in an overwhelming victory that saw it capture 37 of the 71 Parliamentary seats.

This time we remained in power for a year but were cheated from serving a full five year term because once again Labour had upset the established power bloc and entrenched interests groups. Disgruntled politicians and unscrupulous big business interests feeling threatened by our policies of socio-economic reforms, joined hands to destabilise the government, and eventually topple it.

Again the race card was used to arouse indigenous Fijian emotions. The failed coup of May 19 was allegedly staged to protect indigenous interests. But this time it found little credibility and support either from within Fiji or the outside world.

A lot is being said about the struggle for indigenous rights. In truth, what we are seeing in Fiji is racism disguised as indigenous rights. The indigenous people in Fiji are not a marginalised community. If they are exploited, it is by their own leadership and the feudal institutions they insist on perpetuating.

The interests and rights of the indigenous community in Fiji are fully protected and entrenched in the constitution. They own all the resources - land, sea, forests, and minerals. They dominate in the public service. Fiji's military is almost exclusively Fijian.

They are beneficiaries of specific affirmative action policies such as a special education fund and soft loans to encourage their participation in commercial activities. The paramountcy of Fijian interests as against those of other communities is provided for in the 1997 Constitution.

Despite this, the majority of the Fijian people remain poor. We must ask why when, for 30 years since independence, they retained a monopoly on power, governed by indigenous leaders. If they have any grievance, it should be against their own leadership and not other races.

Much of the blame for the perceived grievances of the Fijian people must lie with the failure of their own institutions, initially set up to safeguard indigenous interests. The Great Council of Chiefs, the Native Lands Trust Board, the Fijian Affairs Board, the Provincial Councils are indigenous institutions that were set up by the colonial government to protect Fijian rights and enhance their interests.

These institutions have not fully discharged the trust placed in them by the ordinary Fijians.

They have not questioned the poor utilisation of Fijian resources, the wastage, the lack of initiatives to develop these resources to maximise returns for the indigenous people. They have never bothered to look at the real reasons behind the poverty of their own people.

Always, a scapegoat had to be found to hide the failure of the Fijian leadership to deliver to its people. And this scapegoat is, inevitably, the unfortunate Indian.

Racism in Fiji is rampant. If not checked now, it is going to be the major downfall of Fiji. The coup last year set us back 20 years at least. It shattered our economy which prior to May 19, was poised for a real takeoff.

The coup, our third in 13 years, has badly shaken the confidence of foreign investors as well as the local business community and it will take a long time before this confidence can be restored.

Of serious concern also to Fiji is the role of the army and police in propping up corrupt, discredited people and undemocratic forces. The army's role both in the 1987 and 1999 coups have left it badly discredited. Many are questioning its failure to act swiftly to deal with the situation on May 19.

The reputation of our police force took a severe battering during the political unrest when it failed to provide any protection to the civilian population against racial violence unleashed by the rebels.

A question mark also hangs on the Chief Justice and several other judges of the High Court whose role in facilitating the abrogation of the constitution last year and in helping formulate military decrees, has seriously undermined the independence and credibility of Fiji's judiciary.

These problems are compounded by the marginalisation of the Indian community and the problem of landless tenant farmers. There is an exodus of skilled and professional people emigrating overseas. It will once again deplete our hospitals and schools of trained and experienced doctors, nurses and teachers.

Our problems are enormous but not insurmountable. We will need a lot of assistance from the international community to return to political stability and economic viability.

My message to democratic societies such as Australia and the rest of the international community is that if they do not take a firm stand against treasonous and oppressive regimes, they will be faced with greater instability in the South Pacific.

The coup of 19 May might not have eventuated if the instigators and executors of the 1987 coups had been brought to justice. Western societies and international institutions such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth cannot just pontificate on the virtues of democracy and good governance.

They must act to ensure these principles are protected. Failure to do so will only lend greater encouragement to the forces of destabilisation.

Before I conclude, let me record my appreciation to the officials and members of the Transport Workers Union of New South Wales for organising tonight's function. My thanks also to the ALP, ACTU and trade unions and organisations that have lent their support.

Ladies and gentlemen, I regret not being with you tonight for reasons you well understand.

I thank you on behalf of the Fiji Labour Party and the National Farmers Union and thousands of our supporters in Fiji and abroad.

Have a pleasant evening.

Good night.