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Issue No: 828; 7 June 2001
Members of the Methodist Church of Fiji have revealed that the Methodist Church of Fiji had written a letter to the terrorists last year pledging their support. The letter, signed by Rev. Tomasi Kanailagi, was addressed to the Domo ni Taukei on 16 June 2000 and was signed by Kanailagi. The Domo ni Taukei is the name by which the Speight Terrorist Group called itself while it had armed control of the Parliament Complex. The letter, written in the vernacular, stated: "Through this letter of mine, I wish to reiterate my commitment through the presentation of the whale's tooth offered to you there by us the members of the Fiji Methodist Church Standing Committee representing the Methodist Church Conference of Fiji." "I wish that we work together and listen to each other in all aspects in advancing the cause concerning us Indigenous Fijians". The letter also stated that the Methodist Church supported the drafting of a new Constitution which guaranteed ethnic Fijian supremacy in the country. The publication of the letter has taken many Christians by surprise. Former President of the Methodist Church Red. Josetaki Koroi has hit out at Kanailagi for the letter and for lying to the congregation. He has also called for Kanailagi's sacking. Earlier the ethnic Indian Division of the Methodist Church had also expressed support for the Qarase regime. Meanwhile, the terrorist George Speight's new lawyer, the Singaporean born, and Indian and English educated, and Seattle US resident, Navin Naidu has said that he is here to defend "a Christian brother". Naidu, referring to Speight as a patriot, is quoted by the media as saying: "I want to make sure that God's word is done and completed and justice served". |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
