Issue No: 775; 18 May 2001

In the address to the nation by the Fiji Labour Party marking one year since the terrorists took over the Parliament and held the government hostage, the party states that his paid an suffering was inflicted on the people in the name of indigenous rights. The party stated:

"Much of the pain and suffering inflicted by this disaster has been borne by the poor people of Fiji.

· Thousands of workers have lost secure jobs and are now living on the verge of poverty

· An independent survey shows 50% of our people are now living in poverty and are struggling to provide for their families' basic needs

· Hundreds of hotel workers are still on reduced hours and reduced pays.

· Doctors, nurses, teachers, accountants, computer experts, engineers and other skilled people and tradesmen are emigrating en masse in a brain drain that is leaving our own services depleted.

· Hundreds of farmers evicted from lands they and their forefathers have farmed for generations, became refugees overnight. Two thousand more desperate, homeless farming families will join them by December-end.

· The cost of staple food items and basic consumer goods has escalated. Food prices have soared 20% in 12 months.

· Fiji's economy lies in ruins as important industries struggle to survive

· Businesses are collapsing everyday with bankruptcies and mortgagee sales becoming commonplace

· Air Pacific, the Fiji Sugar Corporation, Fiji Electricity Authority are among once successful public enterprises that are facing huge losses.

· The Fiji dollar has depreciated substantially against major world currencies

· The nation is torn apart by deep divisions in our society"