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Issue No: 776; 18 May 2001
Indigenous rights was used as an excuse by defeated politicians, disgruntled chiefs and officers of the security forces, and corrupt businessmen to depose the elected government on 19 May last year. The Fiji Labour Party states that the businessmen financing the terrorists feared exposure of their corrupt dealings. The FLP statement states: "We know today that the protection of indigenous rights had nothing to do with the overthrow of the People's Coalition Government. The insurrection did not have popular support and even those soldiers who participated were promised huge sums of money for their role. Scores of Fijian youths were lured into Parliament with the promise of money, jobs and excitement." "We know that the coup was planned by a number of disgruntled and defeated politicians, some chiefs and officers of the security forces, with the financial backing of several unscrupulous businessmen who feared exposure for their corrupt dealings." "As Lt. Col Viliame Seruvakula says: these men are still walking the streets free. They have to be brought to justice and made to pay for the suffering they have inflicted on our people and our nation. Unless the plotters are punished, Fiji will not be safe from seditious elements who overthrow democracy and elected governments and impose their will on us." "Remember, our people have been victims of these criminal elements three times since 1987. This cancer must be eradicated from our midst if we are to save our nation from total ruin." The full text of the statement is at: http://www.pcgov.org.fj/docs_c/terrorist_anniversary.htm |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
