Issue No: 774; 18 May 2001

In his address to the nation, Chaudhry stated:

"A year ago today a nation full of promise, poised for unprecedented economic boom, was overnight plunged into anarchy.. The armed invasion of Parliament and the hostage taking of the Prime Minister and members of his Government were followed by months of violence and senseless destruction by a group of people bent on pushing their own selfish agenda at the expense of the people of Fiji. The insurrection was justified under the guise of protecting the rights of the indigenous people."

"Sixteen (16) people were killed, many more were injured and beaten, many homes and businesses were torched, destroyed and ransacked. Innocent people were terrorised and made homeless. Fiji's security forces seemed struck by some strange paralysis as lawlessness and anarchy reigned supreme."

Terrorists armed with weapons supplied by the Fiji military and backed by defeated politicians and some ethnic Indian and ethnic Chinese businessmen, had taken over the Parliament Complex on 19 May and held the elected government hostage for 56 days.

Some of the terrorists are in captivity, but many have been freed with small fines and bound overs. The main conspirators, however, are still free.

It is believed by most in Fiji that the authorities will let the terrorists go free as elections draw nearer.