Issue No: 978; 27 July 2001

Ratu Epeli Kanaimawi, who is also the Acting Chairman of the Assembly of Christian Churches in Fiji and Rotuma, told the largely ethnic Indian residents of Muaniweni in Tailevu: "We are here today to ask, you, our Indian brothers and sisters, to please forgive our Fijian community members who were involved in terrorising your families last year. Please accept our sincere apologies on behalf of our Fijian brothers and sisters"

Ethnic Indian residents of Muaniweni were terrorised in a well-planned operation conducted by the terrorists and the Fiji Police chief Isikia Savua from the weekend of 19 May 2000.

Kanaimawi was nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs to be a member of the committee which was tasked to negotiate with the terrorists last year on the release of the elected government which was held hostage by them.

Kanaimawi instead began supporting the terrorists in return for the terrorists' endorsement for him to become the Prime Minister. He was later investigated by the police for his involvement with the terrorists. It is not clear whether the investigations have been completed.

Another reverend accompanying Kanaimawi to the Muaniweni area, Rev. Vuniani Nakauyaca, stated: "It is our duty as Christian leaders to come and ask for forgiveness. We accept the wrong that was done last year and take it upon us as our responsibility to take on the wrong. We ask you to forgive us in order for us to be able to ask God to forgive us".