PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJ

ADDRESS TO THE NATION FOLLOWING HIS SWEARING-IN-CEREMONY, BORRON HOUSE, SUVA.

March 15, 2001

HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

I HAVE JUST TAKEN THE OATH OF OFFICE AS THE PRESIDENT OF FIJI. I CAN SAY TO YOU IN ALL SINCERITY, THAT I AM HUMBLED BY THE HONOUR ACCORDED TO ME ON YOUR BEHALF BY THE GREAT COUNCIL OF CHIEFS. I THANK THEM FOR THE CONFIDENCE SHOWN BY THEIR UNANIMOUS SUPPORT OF MY PRESIDENCY. WE HEARD THE ECHO OF HISTORY AS THE CHIEFS PERFORMED THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE, 127 YEARS AFTER THE CEDING OF THESE ISLANDS TO GREAT BRITAIN. ON THAT MOMENTOUS OCCASION, RATU SERU CAKOBAU AND OTHER HIGH CHIEFS GAVE SOVEREIGNTY TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA. IN RETURN, THE CHIEFS RECEIVED RECOGNITION OF THEIR RIGHTS AND INTERESTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SPEAK FOR, AND TO ACT ON BEHALF OF, THEIR PEOPLE. THAT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ENSHRINES IN OUR HERITAGE THE DISTINCTIVE STATUS OF THE FIJIAN PEOPLE AND THEIR TRADITIONAL LEADERS. IN MODERN FIJI, IT STANDS FOR REASSURING CONTINUITY, WITH THE APPLICATION OF CHIEFLY AUTHORITY EXTENDING FAR BEYOND THE TRIBAL VANUA. THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CHIEFS, THEIR DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS IN THE GCC, ARE NOT JUST FOR THE FIJIANS. THEY ARE FOR THE COUNTRY. WHEN THE CHIEFS APPOINT A PRESIDENT THEY DO SO FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS ETHNICALLY MIXED NATION.

AND NOW, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTION, I BECOME NOT ONLY THE HEAD OF PARLIAMENT AND OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT. AS HEAD OF STATE, THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT ALSO SYMBOLISES THE UNITY OF OUR COUNTRY. THAT UNITY MUST REFLECT THE MAKE-UP OF A MULTI-CULTURAL AND MULTI-RACIAL SOCIETY.

I WILL, THEREFORE, FROM THIS DAY STRIVE TO FORGE TOGETHERNESS OUT OF OUR DIFFERENCES. WE MUST ALL COMMIT OURSELVES TO A FIJI WHOSE CITIZENS REALISE THAT WHAT IS GOOD FOR THEIR NEIGHBOURS MUST ULTIMATELY BE GOOD FOR THEM. WE NEED TO REACH THAT HAPPY STAGE OF OUR DEVELOPMENT WHEN DIFFERENCES AND DIVERSITY ARE NOT SEEN AS SOURCES OF DIVISION AND DISTRUST, BUT OF STRENGTH AND INSPIRATION.

WHEN I SPOKE TO YOU TWO WEEKS AGO FOLLOWING THE COURT OF APPEAL DECISION ON THE 1997 CONSTITUTION, I DESCRIBED THE COURSE I INTENDED TO TAKE IN THE SEARCH FOR THE BEST WAY OF BRINGING FIJI BACK TO CONSTITUTIONAL RULE. I HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF ADVICE AND LISTENED VERY CAREFULLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN ME THE BENEFIT OF THEIR IDEAS, THEIR OPINIONS AND THEIR CONCERNS. I AM GRATEFUL TO ALL OF THEM. I WAS PRIVILEGED TO ATTEND THE GCC MEETING AND TO HEAR IN THAT FORUM A FORTHRIGHT EXCHANGE OF VIEWS.

IN CONSIDERING THE GREAT ISSUES BEFORE US, I HAVE BEEN GUIDED BY A NUMBER OF CONSIDERATIONS. IN EXERCISING EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY, I AM INFLUENCED BY THE SPIRIT AND THE INTENT OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE IS SUPREME. I ATTACH THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE TO THEIR SAFETY AND SECURITY AND TO THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STABILITY THAT PROVIDES THIS. IF FIJI DOES NOT HAVE THESE THINGS, THEN THE PEOPLE LOSE THEIR RIGHTFUL EXPECTATIONS OF PEACE AND HAPPINESS AND AN IMPROVED LIFE. WE MUST DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO AVOID A REPETITION OF THE BLOODSHED AND SUFFERING OF LAST YEAR. WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THAT FEELINGS ARE STILL RUNNING HIGH AND THAT THE DIVISIONS AMONG US HAVE NOT GONE AWAY. I WOULD SAY THAT SINCE THE APPEAL COURT DECLARATION THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN APPREHENSION AND UNCERTAINTY AND A WIDENING OF THE RACIAL GULF.

IT IS MY HOPE THAT WHAT I HAVE TO SAY THIS AFTERNOON WILL HELP TO EASE THE TENSION AND SET THE COUNTRY ON A CLEAR COURSE.

I AM VERY CONSCIOUS THAT THE APPEALS COURT RESTRICTED ITSELF TO LEGAL QUESTIONS. IT FOUND THAT THE 1997 CONSTITUTION REMAINS THE SUPREME LAW OF THE REPUBLIC AND PARLIAMENT HAS NOT BEEN DISSOLVED. BUT IT DID NOT GIVE US A SOLUTION TO OUR POLITICAL DILEMMA. THAT IS FOR US TO DEAL WITH. I HAVE, THEREFORE, BEEN WEIGHING NUMEROUS POLITICAL QUESTIONS IN EXTREMELY COMPLICATED CIRCUMSTANCES. THESE WERE PERHAPS NOT ANTICIPATED BY THE 1997 CONSTITUTION. IT DOES NOT, IN MY VIEW, PROVIDE COMPLETE AND REALISTIC ANSWERS TO THE MISFORTUNES CAUSED BY AN ARMED INSURRECTION AND REVOLUTION IN A RACIALLY SPLIT DEVELOPING NATION.

I CONSIDERED CAREFULLY THE TWO OBVIOUS OPTIONS. THESE WERE TO RECALL AND TO RE-INSTATE THE PEOPLE'S COALITION GOVERNMENT, OR TO REQUEST THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BROADER MULTI-PARTY GOVERNMENT, INCLUSIVE OF ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES REPRESENTED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE COMPACT CHAPTER OF THE CONSTITUTION SETS OUT VERY CLEARLY THAT THE FORMATION OF A COALITION GOVERNMENT FROM AMONG COMPETING PARTIES DEPENDS ON THEIR WILLINGNESS TO COME TOGETHER. I CAN SEE NO SUCH WILLINGNESS. THERE IS NO COHESION AMONG THE PARTIES AND NO CONSENSUS. THEY ARE WEAKENED AND TORN BY BIDS FOR POWER, LEADERSHIP STRUGGLES, INFIGHTING AND OPPOSING POSITIONS. IT IS A CHAOTIC PICTURE, WHICH DOES NOT INSPIRE CONFIDENCE. IT TELLS US HOW BADLY FRACTURED FIJI'S POLITICAL ORDER IS, AND CREATES GRAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT ITS CAPACITY TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH OUR PROBLEMS.

IN VIEW OF THE POLITICAL DISARRAY AND CONFUSION, I HAVE DECIDED THAT NEITHER A RESUMPTION OF THE PEOPLE'S COALITION GOVERNMENT, NOR A BROADER COALITION GOVERNMENT, WOULD BE VIABLE.

ACCORDINGLY, I DECIDED NOT TO ACCEPT THE WRITTEN ADVICE FROM MR MAHENDRA CHAUDHRY FOR PARLIAMENT TO BE DISSOLVED. IT WAS CLEAR TO ME THAT HE NO LONGER ENJOYED MAJORITY SUPPORT WITHIN HIS PEOPLE’S COALITION GROUP. THIS WAS FURTHER EVIDENCED BY COUNTER ADVICE FROM THE VARIOUS FACTIONS WITHIN THE PEOPLE’S COALITION, FROM THOSE WHO DO NOT FAVOUR AN IMMEDIATE DISSOLUTION BUT SUPPORT A GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY WITHIN PARLIAMENT UNDER A FIJIAN PRIME MINISTER. THE MOST JUDICIOUS COURSE WAS, THEREFORE, TO EXERCISE MY POWERS UNDER SECTION 109 OF THE CONSTITUTION TO DISMISS MR CHAUDHRY AND TO APPOINT A CARETAKER PRIME MINISTER.

THIS I HAVE DONE, AND OUT OF PRACTICAL NECESSITY, I APPOINTED RATU TEVITA MOMOEDONU FROM THE MAJORITY FIJI LABOUR PARTY TO BE CARETAKER PRIME MINISTER. WE HAVE DULY DISCUSSED THE SITUATION CONFRONTING OUR COUNTRY, AND IN PARTICULAR, THE ABSOLUTE IMPERATIVE OF RETURNING IT TO FULL CONSTITUTIONAL RULE AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY.

THE CARETAKER PRIME MINISTER HAS FULLY CONCURRED WITH MY OWN JUDGEMENT THAT THIS OBJECTIVE CAN BEST BE ATTAINED BY GOING BACK TO THE PEOPLE THROUGH GENERAL ELECTIONS. I HAVE ACCEPTED HIS ADVICE FOR PARLIAMENT TO BE DISSOLVED AND I HAVE ALSO ACCEPTED HIS RESIGNATION TO OPEN THE WAY FOR ELECTION PREPARATIONS TO BEGIN.

I AM GRATEFUL TO HIM FOR THAT, JUST AS I AM GRATEFUL TO THE PRIME MINISTER IN THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT, MR LAISENIA QARASE, FOR TENDERING HIS RESIGNATION AND THAT OF HIS MINISTERS YESTERDAY, TO FACILITATE THE DECISIONS I HAVE TAKEN.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I BELIEVE THAT GOING BACK TO THE PEOPLE THROUGH FRESH ELECTIONS IS THE MOST SENSIBLE AND DEMOCRATIC WAY TO RESOLVE THE EXISTING DISUNITY AND CONFUSION WITHIN AND AMONG ALL POLITICAL PARTIES IN PARLIAMENT. I REMIND OURSELVES, TOO, THAT WE CANNOT PRETEND THAT THE ATTEMPTED COUPS OF MAY 19 LAST YEAR, NEVER HAPPENED. IT HAPPENED BECAUSE FIJIANS CAME OUT IN MASS PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST A LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNMENT, WHICH THEY FELT WERE INSENSITIVE TO THEIR INTERESTS, INTERESTS WHICH THE 1997 CONSTITUTION PROCLAIMS TO BE PARAMOUNT AND WHICH SHOULD NOT BE SUBORDINATED TO THOSE OF OTHER COMMUNITIES.

AN EARLY ELECTION WILL GIVE US A NEW START. IT WILL ALLOW THOSE WHO ASPIRE TO BE IN PARLIAMENT TO GO BACK TO THE PEOPLE TO SEEK THEIR MANDATE. THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES WILL BE ABLE TO SPEAK ON ISSUES SUCH AS LAND LAWS, RECONCILIATION, INDIGENOUS RIGHTS, NATIONAL UNITY, LEADERSHIP AND THE CONSTITUTION.

THE ILLEGAL AND VIOLENT OVERTHROW OF A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT CAUSES ONLY PAIN AND TRAGEDY. IT HURTS OUR COUNTRY. WE HAVE SEEN THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS.

THE FIJIANS SHOULD ALSO BE CONCENTRATING NOW AS NEVER BEFORE ON ATTAINING POLITICAL UNITY. THEY ARE THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION. IF THEY ARE UNITED, DEMOCRACY WILL WORK IN THEIR FAVOUR. OUR MODERN HISTORY CLEARLY SHOWS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE FIJIANS ARE POLITICALLY FRAGMENTED. THEY MUST SEEK PROTECTION IN THEIR OWN UNITY. NO CONSTITUTION, NO MATTER HOW IT IS WORDED, CAN PROVIDE THAT. LET ME REPEAT: THE ULTIMATE GUARANTEE OF THE PROTECTION OF THE PARAMOUNTCY OF FIJIAN INTERESTS LIES NOT IN THE CONSTITUTION, BUT IN THE POLITICAL UNITY OF THE FIJIANS THEMSELVES.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE ACCEPTED THE COURT OF APPEAL DECLARATION THAT THE 1997 CONSTITUTION REMAINS OUR SUPREME LAW. BUT LET US ALSO RECOGNISE THAT IT HAS BECOME AN OBJECT OF DISSENT RATHER THAN UNITY. THE SUBMISSIONS TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW COMMISSION APPOINTED BY THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT, GIVE CONVINCING EVIDENCE OF THE DISSATISFACTION OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WITH THE 1997 DOCUMENT.

BEFORE ITS WORK WAS SUSPENDED, THE COMMISSION RECEIVED FIVE HUNDRED AND TWELVE REPRESENTATIONS FROM INDIGENOUS FIJIANS AND FIJIAN GROUPS. THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THESE WERE OPPOSED TO THE CONSTITUTION. COMPARE THIS WITH THE NUMBER OF FIJIAN PRESENTATIONS MADE TO THE REEVES COMMISSION WHOSE REPORT LED TO THE 1997 CONSTITUTION. THE TOTAL WAS JUST TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY. THERE IS A MESSAGE IN THIS THAT CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. NEITHER SHOULD WE DISREGARD THE VERY STRONG FEELINGS, WHICH HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED IN THE GREAT COUNCIL OF CHIEFS. THE GCC IS THE HIGHEST COUNCIL OF THE FIJIAN AND ROTUMAN PEOPLE. IT IS AN AUTHORITATIVE VOICE OF FIJIAN VIEWS AND OPINION. THE CHIEFS MADE IT PLAIN IN THEIR MEETING THIS WEEK THAT THEY, TOO, WANTED THE CONSTITUTION TO BE REVIEWED.

I WILL, THEREFORE, BE GIVING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE REVIEW TO RESUME. THE FOCUS WILL BE ON DESIRED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE 1997 CONSTITUTION. IT WILL BE FOR THE NEWLY-ELECTED PARLIAMENT TO DEAL WITH THE REVIEW COMMISSION REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS. CONSTITUTIONS ARE NOT SET IN STONE. WE SHOULD LOOK UPON OUR CONSTITUTION AS A LIVING DOCUMENT THAT SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND MODIFIED, IF NEED BE, TO REFLECT THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE. WE NEED A CONSTITUTION THAT SERVES TO HOLD OUR NATION TOGETHER. IT IS TO PROMOTE RACIAL HARMONY AND THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF ALL COMMUNITIES. THE LEAST WE CAN ALL DO IN THE INTEREST OF BUILDING A UNITED FIJI, IS TO ALLOW THE INDIGENOUS FIJIANS TO EXPRESS THEIR GRIEVANCES AND CONCERNS ABOUT THE 1997 CONSTITUTION. HOW CAN WE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER IF WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHER?

ANOTHER PARTICULAR ISSUE, WHICH SADLY HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE IS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. THE CONSTITUTION ALLOWS FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SPECIFICALLY FOR THE FIJIANS AND ROTUMANS AND A FAIR SHARING OF ECONOMIC POWER. I HAVE NOTICED THE INCONSISTENCY DEMONSTRATED BY SOME PEOPLE WHO APPEAR TO BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION IN ITS ENTIRETY IS RIGHT FOR US. YET AT THE SAME TIME, THEY STRONGLY PROTEST THE PART, WHICH PERMITS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR INDIGENOUS FIJIANS AND ROTUMANS. HOW THEN ARE THESE POSITIONS RECONCILED? IF WE REALLY BELIEVE IN THE 1997 CONSTITUTION, LET US BE CONSISTENT IN SUPPORTING THE APPLICATION OF ALL ITS PROVISIONS.

THE VOTING SYSTEM, WHICH HAS BEEN CRITICISED BY SO MANY WILL BE EMPLOYED ONCE AGAIN FOR THE ELECTIONS. AFTER THE EXPERIENCE OF THE 1999 POLL, THERE SHOULD HOPEFULLY BE A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW IT FUNCTIONS. CHANGES TO IT, IF DESIRED, SHOULD BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE NEW PARLIAMENT.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I COME NOW TO THE QUESTION OF WHICH GROUP IS TO LEAD THE COUNTRY IN A CARETAKER ROLE AS WE PREPARE FOR THE POLLS. IN MY VIEW, THERE IS PLENTY OF EVIDENCE THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF FIJIANS HAD CONFIDENCE IN THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT AND ITS LEADER, MR LAISENIA QARASE. THIS CONFIDENCE IS FREQUENTLY EXPRESSED. SUPPORT FOR, AND ACCEPTANCE OF, THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT EXTENDED INTO OTHER SECTORS OF SOCIETY. THIS IS WELL KNOWN AND EASILY OBSERVED. THERE WAS UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR THE INTERIM ADMINISTRATION AND THE INTERIM PRIME MINISTER AT THE GCC MEETING. TAKING ALL THIS, AND OTHER FACTORS INTO ACCOUNT, I HAVE DECIDED, IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST, TO INVITE MR QARASE TO HEAD A CARETAKER ADMINISTRATION. THE NECESSARY STEPS FOR HIS APPOINTMENT HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND I EXPECT TO FORMALISE IT LATER TODAY. I WILL THEN AWAIT ADVICE FROM MR QARASE ON HIS PROPOSED CARETAKER CABINET.

THE MANDATE OF THE CARETAKER ADMINISTRATION FOR ITS SHORT TERM IN OFFICE CENTRES ON A NUMBER OF CRITICAL ISSUES. IT WILL CONSIDER AND ADVISE ME ON THE TIMING OF THE GENERAL ELECTIONS. IT WILL GIVE PRIORITY TO LAW AND ORDER AND NATIONAL SECURITY BECAUSE THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF OUR CITIZENS IS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE WITH THE REHABILITATION AND RECOVERY OF THE ECONOMY. IT WILL WORK WITH ALL SECTORS IN CREATING THE POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT SO VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE INCREASED INVESTMENT WE NEED TO RESTORE AND EXPAND EMPLOYMENT. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR FIJIANS AND ROTUMANS AND ALL OTHER DISADVANTAGED GROUPS, AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE 2001 BUDGET, WILL BE MAINTAINED. NATIONAL RECONCILIATION, SO ESSENTIAL FOR HEALING THE COUNTRY, MUST BE ACTIVELY PROMOTED.

PARLIAMENT WILL HAVE MUCH TO DO AFTER THE ELECTIONS. A MAJOR AREA OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS THE DIFFICULTY CONNECTED WITH THE AGRICULTURAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT, ALTA. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT SUCCESSIVE PARLIAMENTS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO AGREE ON A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM, WHICH SO SERIOUSLY AFFECTS THE SUGAR INDUSTRY. SUGAR HAS A BENEFICIAL IMPACT ON OUR ECONOMY CREATING INCOME IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER FOR UP TO TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE. IT IS A PITY THAT THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT WAS PREVENTED FROM COMPLETING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEASURES IT PROPOSED FOR A SETTLEMENT THAT WAS FAIR TO LANDOWNERS AND TENANTS. WHILE WE AWAIT A PARLIAMENTARY DECISION, POLICIES FOR ASSISTING WITH RESETTLEMENT AND INCOMING TENANTS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE.

I WOULD LIKE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE INTERIM ADMINISTRATION FOR COURAGE, DEDICATION AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO FIJI IN ITS HOUR OF GREATEST NEED. THE INTERIM MINISTERS AND THEIR ASSISTANTS FULLY REPAID THE TRUST I PLACED IN THEM. FOLLOWING THE COURT OF APPEAL JUDGEMENT, THEY HAD OFFERED THEIR RESIGNATION BUT I REQUESTED THEM TO CARRY ON UNTIL I HAD COMPLETED MY CONSULTATIONS. THE COURT OF APPEAL SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO PROVE THEY HAVE THE POPULAR SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE. BUT THE OVERWHELMING SHOW OF SUPPORT AND CONFIDENCE IN THEM BY THE GREAT COUNCIL OF CHIEFS, ON BEHALF OF THE FIJIAN AND ROTUMAN PEOPLE, THE MAJORITY COMMUNITY IN FIJI, PAINTS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PICTURE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IN CONCLUDING, I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING FOR THE DECISIONS I HAVE TAKEN. I ALSO REQUEST CO-OPERATION FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. AS PRESIDENT, I AM COMMITTED TO THE VERDICT OF THE APPEALS COURT. THE APPROACH I HAVE ADOPTED IS ABOUT DEALING IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE MANNER WITH THE UNCERTAINTIES AND REALITIES OF FIJI'S POSITION. IT IS ABOUT CHOOSING A MIDDLE WAY OF MODERATION, REASONABLENESS AND COMMMON SENSE. THESE ELEMENTS ARE VITAL IF WE ARE TO FIND A WAY THROUGH OUR CRISIS. WHAT I OFFER IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE TO FULL CONSTITUTIONAL RULE IN THE SHORTEST TIME. WE CANNOT GO BACK; WE MUST LOOK TO THE FUTURE; WE MUST MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER, AS A MULTI-CULTURAL AND MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETY.

GIVE ME YOUR TRUST AND CONFIDENCE, KNOWING THAT WHAT I SEEK IS FOR THE GOOD OF FIJI, FOR THE GOOD OF US ALL. THERE WILL BE TRYING MOMENTS IN THE MONTHS AHEAD WITH ALL THE NOISE AND DRAMA OF AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN. BUT LET US MAKE A PLEDGE NOW TO HELP FIJI THROUGH THIS VERY IMPORTANT NEXT STAGE OF ITS JOURNEY. WE CAN DO THIS BY PROMISING TO BE PATIENT, CALM AND TOLERANT AND BY RESPECTING THE VIEWS OF OTHERS, EVEN IF WE DISAGREE WITH THEM.

THE BIBLE TELLS US: BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS. I INVITE YOU ALL TO BE PEACEMAKERS FOR FIJI, THROUGHOUT THE ELECTIONS AND BEYOND.

THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BE WITH US.

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands
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