Coup instigators motivated by greed

Issue No: 998; 3 August 2001

 
The instigators of the 2000 coup were instigated by personal greed, says Jokapeci Koroi, the President of the Fiji Labour Party.

Speaking at the Party's annual meeting, Mrs Koroi stated:

It needs to be remembered that every possible dirty trick and threat was used to destabilise the Labour led Peoples Coalition Government from the very moment it came to power, culminating in its violent overthrow.

The race card has become the trump used as a wedge and shield to defend the indefensible. But the real instigators and beneficiaries of the coups were not propelled by any consideration other then personal, economic gain and control by a few. The hyped up race issue is just a façade and many gullible commoners and chiefs have bought the by-lines.

One needs to look a little deeper to see that many of the key instigators are not of the indigenous fold, who keep themselves hidden from public view.

Now that the 1997 Constitution and the parliament elected under it is ruled to remain extant by the Court of Appeal, a hysterical campaign on two specific fronts has become launched by those who caused the coups and usurped power. Firstly, they did not stand aside and are defying the rule of law with threats of unprecedented violence.

Secondly the Fiji Labour Party Indo-Fijian leader, Mahendra Pal Chaudhary, is perceived not to be acceptable by some brainwashed biased indigenous Fijian political parties like the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua and Conservative Democratic Alliance. This campaign is either openly or tacitly supported by these political parties that lost the elections, the interim, now the Caretaker regime and those who oppose Labour's policies and priorities.

Their claim to represent the indigenous as a whole is without foundation. The truth is that at least 50% of the ordinary Fijian men and women who generally keep silent do tend to accept any leader, Indo Fijian or other, if he is sincerely committed to improving their lot and can deliver the goods".

Meanwhile, the breakaway New Labour Unity Party has also stated that a coup will follow if the Fiji Labour Party wins the election.

But in an interesting turn of events, the Citizens Constitutional Forum has condemned Tupeni Baba for making this statement.

The CCF, which had earlier promoted Baba as the Prime Minister of Fiji, is known to be embarrassed by Baba's utterances.

 

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands
Disclaimer
Webmaster
Last update: August 27, 2001