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Issue No: 995; 2 August 2001
The Daily Post has called on Tupeni Baba to reveal any plot to depose an elected government if the Fiji Labour Party won the election. Baba had stated earlier that a victory for the FLP will result in another coup. The state owned paper condemned Baba for the utterances. It stated: "Campaigning for the August general election, unfortunately, has taken a turn for the worse. After going through the degradation of May 19 last year and with parliamentary democracy well and truly in the horizon, one would have thought that we, the people of Fiji would be left alone in peace to make up our minds as to which political party will take us out of the quagmire we are in now, and into calmer waters within the next five years. But alas, that was not to be the case." "Recent utterances and remarks by Dr Tupeni Baba that if his political foe Mahendra Chaudhry is voted back in as Prime Minister there will be another coup is totally irrelevant, uncalled for, shallow and perhaps unfortunate. For someone who is campaigning to be the next prime minister making such a prediction has not given voters the confidence they are looking for. Instead, such statements has created doubt, fear and apprehension in the minds of the voters and perhaps in his ability as a leader." "No doubt, when Dr Baba made the statement he was targeting a certain group of voters. He may have the best of intentions in saying what he said. But was it necessary to keep reminding the people of Fiji that we could go down the same road again if Mahendra Chaudhry is voted back into powder? What happened on May 19 last year had happened. It's done with. We cannot turn the clock back. Politicians should be concentrating now on discussing issues rather than mud slinging. They should be explaining to the people how they and their parties will help voters out of the hell hole they are in now. They should be showing people the way forward - certainly not backward." "While Dr Baba may be genuine in his fears and belief, he is also guilty of pushing the race cards by warning voters not to vote for Chaudhry or there would be another coup." "Is Dr Baba saying that he knew or is aware of a plot or plans to oust Chaudhry in a coup once again if he is returned as Prime Minister?" "Perhaps it is time for the good doctor and would be
prime minister for that matter. to reveal the plot to Police Commissioner Isikia
Savua as is required of a good citizen like him so the perpetrators could be
apprehended before they could act. After all, prevention is better than cure.
This campaign can be clean and will only remain clean if politicians play it
right. Let's talk issues for a change." |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
