Issue No: 690; 20 April 2001

The Fiji Sun gave a strong editorial today asking for urgent action on this front. It stated:
"It is time people who are genuinely concerned about the state of the nation set aside their differences and look for a solution to our problems."

"And since May 19, 2000, we've been tolerating the wrong kinds of political alliances formed to try and dominate or influence the running of this country."

"All of them say that they have a way to enrich the nation. All of them saying they have the answer to the peoples problems."

"George Speight and the rebel government, which was sworn-in at the parliamentary complex on May 21, last year, said they had an answer to Fiji's problems."

"Ratu Epeli Kanaimawi's group who smoothly tried to broker a deal with Speight and his rebels also said they had a solution. The Fijian Political Parties Forum formed by ultra nationalists and extremists say they've got the answer."

"Even the interim administration-turned caretaker government say they have a solution."

"The fact is, the answers, most of which were vociferously and violently offered, are not a lasting panacea. They're either lopsided or plain racist."

"This paper thinks we must start by making an appeal to everyone to respect the rule of law, remove everything that is illegal or unconstitutional, compensate the people who have suffered and prosecute all who initiated and acted out the coup on May 19."

"If this does not happen, there will always be an excuse for someone to think that he or she has been hard done by society and that in some future date that someone has or thinks he or she has a genuine reason to disrupt society. And so the cycle of violence continues. Like any preparation to an election, anyone who wants to lead must tell the people what he's going to do when he's up there. We want to see their manifesto."

"For example, they could say they would focus on the wholesome development of our children rather than just educating them like the present system does?"

"Those who are interested to lead this country must tell us what they're going to do to take us out of this mess and how they're going to do it."

"So far all the loud solutions offered have sounded the clarion of ultra nationalists or extremists. And their message has always been racist and instilling instability and fear."