Despite the upheaval, one could argue this is democracy in action, albeit, conducted in a manner that cannot be condoned within the framework of a Constitution. The deed has been done. Time will not reverse the order. Only skilful effort on the part of every Fijian citizen will move the country forward. This is not the time to argue and find faults with the Commander. This is really the time to let him run his course...I say allow him to bring to fruition his dream of a Fiji where justice, freedom and equality will enjoy a real stronghold. For 20 years, we seen a country run amuck with petty politics, racial polarisation, insufficient long term and sustainable economic planning, and rising social apathy, and it is lamentable that not one soul stands out today within the landscape who has the vision, charisma or the skill to galvanise a nation. Indeed there is more to good governance and nation building than just swearing allegiance to the constitution and having free elections. One cannot overlook the corruption, the inequality, incompetence, the overindulgence of politics and bickering, and the racial undercurrent that has gripped the nation for the last several years. Let's give the Commander and the men in uniform a chance. After all they have been trained to protect the country from enemies, and who said the enemies of the State are not lurking in our midst?
- Vinod Chetty
I am in Suva Fiji and the way the coup has been conducted the commander has been very professional , maintaining overall stability and security of the nation. The deposed Fiji government was one of the most corrupt in the country' s history. Qarase tried to gather hooligan support in the Natasiri and he was stopped by the military. His support was purely to destabilise Suva just like it was done in the 2000 but this time around the military has circumvented this from happening. We are indeed have a bright future ahead of us under military regime, since democracy in Fiji breeds, nepotism, corruption and using public office for private gain. I amongst many other Fijians supports this military initiative. cheers
- Rinesh
Well, parliamentarians were convicted and sent to jail was released by using laws which only protect some people. People and families of those ( Soldiers) who were instigated to carry out the coup and mutiny some still in jail and some families left without a father and they are suffering because of those instigator.
These convicted (2000 coup Instigator/mutiny) people while in jail still enjoying their parliamentarian privileges such as salary etc and after a few months in jail they brought back given back their ministerial seat. Where is justice here?
They promise a lot to indigenous people to buy their vote and forget about continue water problem, squatters and other basic necessity which will benefit all the people of Fiji. It seems unconstitutional what is happening now but you look into the crunch of it you will see a lot of corruption act protected by law they initiate to protect a few and not all.
- J Kani
Someone has written "but these are professional soldiers" and that is nonsense. A professional soldier takes action according to the demands of the elected government. Right now they are failing in their duty and have fallen into line with their leader. He should not be called the leader of the military he is the leader of a band of thugs and when the rightful government returns the lot of them who have taken part in this shambles should be dealt with severely. The Fijian people deserve much better than what these thugs are doing.
- Ian Hutchins
When any democratically-elected government considers itself to be above the Law and acts to legislate so as to overturn justice and equity as Qarase and his government clearly intended to do, which would in effect have decriminalised George Speight and his co-conspirators - then such a government and its prime minister are NOT acting in the spirit of true Democracy, and they are obviously corrupt, they have forfeited the right to rule and should be removed from office.
In this respect, I commend the actions of Commodore Bainimarama. The NZ Clark government and current Prime Minister are also corrupt because they have recently enacted legislation to retrospectively white-wash election over-expenditure, which means that Clark, Cullen and their Labor cronies are as guilty of corruption and corrupt practice as is Fiji's ex PM Qarase. Thus, Clark's support for Qarase is obvious hypocrisy. Fiji is fortunate to have Bainimarama to remove a corrupt government and its self-serving Prime Minister, whereas we in New Zealand are compelled to wait for more than a year before we can rid ourselves of Helen Clark, her corrupt government, and her persistent lies.
- M Townsend
Are you not aware that Bainimarama is protecting the fundamental freedoms of Fiji. Qarese took over after a previously democratically elected government was overturned by force and Qarase placed in control. Now in control, he (Qarase), attempts to exempt Fijian traitors from their anti-democratic actions, as well as establishing a form of land ownership based on racial lines. Why is Helen Clark not opposed to racial injustice and inequality in Fiji, when it seems to drive her policies in NZ. Bainimarama is the saviour of Fijian democracy. Bainimarama is aware that without racial equality, there can be no Fiji.
- Tony & Mallory Evans
I thank Bainimarama, for his action. This coup is for justice, this is for the people of Fiji and for the economy of Fiji. I was born in Fiji, I have seen my relatives were kicked out of their land; young innocent children got raped, temples were burned down, now I want to ask the Australian and New Zealand government, where were they at that time, and now when it is time for justice why do they need to interfere, I would suggest if they were not there when people of Fiji really needed them, than they should not interfere now, as most of actions are under control by Bainimarama. People in Fiji stayed as a family, there was no discrimination between Indians and Fijians , we stayed as a family, we worked together, we went to school together, we watched rugby together, but these politician's for their own benefit turned people of Fiji against each other. I just want to request Bainimarama, to take actions that would benefit the whole Fiji economy now, and not for the politician's pocket only. Please bring that smile back and unite the people of Fiji.
- Rose, Auckland
This coup is wrong. Various media have reported that the Indo-fijians seem to support the coup. This is also wrong. Not all Indo-fijians support this. Just because Chaudary was deposed as PM in a coup, does not mean that Qarase being deposed is good. Two wrongs never make one right.
Why has Chaudary not yet issued a statement?...Does he support this?...The Indo-Fijian community has brought a huge problem onto itself by declaring that the coup is good...may good bless fiji
- Pranil Chand
The NZ Prime Minister has condemned the overthrow of the government. Well she may be right because the Qarase government was democratically elected government. Before any overseas diplomat comments on Fiji issues he/she should know the real situations in Fiji. Qarase government won the elections because the elections are generally racially based in Fiji. The grassroot Fijians are manipulated by way of cash handouts to vote of them. Is this democracy? The commander has done the right thing. Qarase leaving aside the basic problems such as health, water, squatter, poverty was concentrating in pushing the controversial bills which had a bad impact on Fiji's economy . Most affected would have been the foreign investors from Australia and New Zealand. The qoliqoli bills allow the indigenous Fijians to own the coastal areas and claim royalty from resort owners. Is this fair? The commander was voicing this from long time but to no avail.Qarase wanted to pass amnesty bills which would pardon the coup makers of 2000. Is this right? No way. Qarase is now talking about democracy. Where was he in year 2000? If he believed in democracy he shouldn't have accepted the post of the PM. As they say what goes around comes around. This time a Fijian (commander) is teaching a lesson to another Fijian.
- Shaneel
In my opinion the Commander (Frank Bainimarama) thinks that whatever his doing is in the best interest of the people but little does he realize whatever he is doing is in actual fact in his best interest and the people who are encouraging his actions.
I find it ironic that the legal society finally got the guts to say something about illegal takeover today rather than voicing their opinions last week (when it could probably have made a difference). Where was the legal society when the democratically elected government was being overthrown? They should be ashamed to call themselves lawyers who protect peoples rights because the people of Fiji's rights just got thrown away when Frank Bainimarama took over yesterday.
- Finau Rabuka-Conklin
I agree with the military in their view against some of the racist legislations that Qarase was putting through. Somebody needs to stand up now against these people who think because they have been "elected" can roughsod racist legislations that impacts the whole of fiji. It is not as if Frank just stood up yesterday and topple the government, no, he and the military have been voicing their views in the last 5 or 6 years! Nobody in the govt want to listen to them. And the government instead tried to remove him 11 times! The military were even excluded from the Security Council discussions. Does that though give them the right to perform a coup - strictly speaking maybe not.
I am an indigenous Fijian myself, and I am really sad to see another coup, but if Fiji has to go through this to "clean up" the govt and therefore entrenched in the minds of people that Fiji is for everybody not just for one sector of society - then so be it.
Let's be practical - What has started yesterday is now irreversible. I believe though that Fiji is not dealing with a bunch of hooligans as in 2000, but these are professional soldiers who have their country at heart, and they will make sure that what had transpired yesterday will be followed through till a new election is ready. Please everybody just pray for the safety of all, and for quick election in the coming months. I pray it comes sooner than later.
- Naca
I reiterate that the balance of the country is not covered by the media, foreign or local. I live in Suva, in fact a stones throw away from the SDL party HQ. People are calm and going about their daily lives - these are the real people of this nation. The media has failed in reporting the human stories of the citizens of this country. We are affected, we have sadness, we are worried, but continue in hope. We have done exactly that before, and we will probably do that again. I would ask the foreign journalists to travel out of the capital, and get stories from everywhere around the country, and see the true Fiji. Let the human story be told to the world, or will it not be news-worthy?
- Allen Sebastian
It's easy for foreigners to condemn the coup but has anyone ever gone and looked at how the people live? I was born and lived there for many years and take my hat off for Frank. It's about time someone took action against the racist government. It's easy for Helen Clark and the rest of the world to jump up and down to say its wrong but I want to ask these leaders if they have ever gone to the rural areas of the country where poor farmers have had their land taken of them and given back to the native Fijians by the government. The so called landowners demand thousands of dollars before they give it back to them on lease which the farmers can't pay. Their houses get taken off them and their children get raped. They live in constant fear of the people around them. The police don't do anything because they are corrupt. They hassle the shopkeepers until they get bribed. Screw what the rest of the world thinks, being a person who has lived there, I think its best for the people of Fiji and the future generations.
- Don, Auckland
I agree with the cause undertaken by the Military, however the way could have been a bit more practical one. Nonetheless what is done is done. I have been born and bred in Fiji and have been in NZ for the last two years now, however I still have some family and a strong friend circle back there. What Qarase has done to/for the country is completely wrong. One conclusion I draw from all the upheaval in the last 20 years is that Fiji is not ready for a democratic government. Reason being the political leaders in Fiji intend to sit on their political high chairs until death. This is completely wrong. Look at the western countries where political leaders quit the scene as they see that they are either going to be kicked out or have run their course. Don Brash is a prime example, I salute the guy for his foresight and today he has gone with honour.
As for Australia harping on its foreign policy, and all the crap, please we do not need the watered down version of the USA policies in our backyard John Howard...!
But it indeed is sad to see Fiji go down this road. Or alternatively look at the brighter side of all this, maybe this is that dark phase before Fiji and its people see the good times ahead. Malaysia went through something similar in the late 60's and see where they are today. Maybe Fiji's political leaders and chiefs need to improvise and come up with a new political / democratic reform and install a government that does not have to go through a coup or election process. Present something new to our Western counterparts.
- Jilesh Kumar
What has happened is good. The Qarase led government was made up of criminals who were involved in the 2000 coup. This group was responsible for introducing three contentious Bills that would not only forgive those involved in the 2000 coup but also deprive people of their rights and freedom in Fiji.
- Victor Singh
For too long these politicians of all stripes were incompetent, useless,and only looking after themselves and their pockets. The country was going to the dogs. If Fiji pulls itself out of this mess created by Qarase & co under Cdr Bainimarama then one day in the future school children will learn that the most defining moment of their country's history was on 05/12/06 and they will also learn that it took the courage of one man to achieve this.
- Shalen Prasad
The Fijian Prime Minister said he did not ask for Australian military intervention but on the contrary Mr Howard says that Australia's intervention was asked for.
We are in doubt who is telling the truth.
- Harry Kumar
I can only wish that Helen Clark, Winston Peters, the Australian Government and the UN read this part of the NZ Herald. It is here that you will all realise how much is going on behind this coup. The People of the land are speaking and it looks like the majority of them are supporting Bainimarama ... Surprising?? Not really!
- Damian
What ever has happened, it's good. The Qarase Goverment was given enough time but they just thought of themselves. The Indian community fully supports the military. People outside Fiji don't know how the Indians are suffering. All their rights are taken away, being looted, raped etc. The police is of no use. There was a lot of corruption in the government. That serves them right…
- Madhvan Nair
Hats off to Frank Bainimarama for removing Qarase and his team who were wolves under sheeps' clothing. Justice will prevail and Fiji will bounce back thanks to the resilience of its people. One need not be a rocket scientist to know what Qarase and his team who had rigged the last election were doing.
- Anand Babu
Constitutional democracy will always remain a distant dream for Fiji as along as we have gutless international law enforcers like Don Mckinnon and neighbours like Australia who put their self interest at the centre of all their foreign policy strategies. John Howard's position " it will not be Australia's interest to intervene" is hardly surprising. This culture of coup and the resulting instability has not just developed overnight. Its genesis goes back to 1987 and, to a large degree, it has been "sponsored" by a highly indifferent international community that has failed to discharge its responsibility . Indeed, they are no less culpable then Rabuka, Speight and Bainimarama. It has suited them to stereotype the problems of Fiji in the superficial facade of ethnicity and scapegoat the Indians for all the woes. It appears that most of the diplomatic intelligence gathering is restricted to the social cocktail cicuits of Suva.
How is that the deep undercurrent of division, discord and tension amongst the Fijians themselves has not been picked by the diplomatic radar? One is quite entitled to ask as to why the Qarase/ Bainimarama impasse was allowed to develop to this explosive point before there was any mediation? What proactive initiatives were undertaken by Wellington and Canberra?…
- Nitya Reddy
Churches, some civilians, SDL Party, some NGOs, NZ, Aussie, UN, etc, are talking military to respect and follow the rule of law and democracy. Who is following the rule of law and democracy and who's not all these years in Fiji? Strictly speaking, Qarase and his SDL Party, their Bills and policies reflect anti-democratic, racist, and unconstitutional contents, issues they have been zigzag over for political gains but without tangible output for especially the indigenous people receive. Urban centers are rotting with bad roads, poor water supplies, poor drainage system, increase in VAT, lack of employment sources, low wages, high cost of living, increase in housing problem and squatter settlement, prostitution, etc. Rural places, the people are helpless from the government. Natives turn to Marijuana, prostitution etc for income generation to support childrens' education, clothing, money for traditional commitments, etc. At the same time the Opposition party of the Fiji Parliament is so fat but too soft to speak against the Qarase-led government. The civil society tends to be so quiet also. The Labor Party tends to be paralysed by the newly formed so-called Multi-party government, and so who else to stand up and speak against the Qarase regime and its controversial Bills and policies which are not only marginalizing other races in Fiji but somewhat a total killer to the national economy and a threat to indigenous cohesiveness? Thumbs up to the Military and its Commander for its vision and clean-up campaign! Yes its tough but it is inevitable to eradicate discrimination, undemocratic legislation and policies, and racist leadership.
- Te Moa
Every time I read comments by Pacific leaders accusing Australia of arrogance for demanding that its aid be linked to good governance, I can hardly stop laughing. If there is any better example of the duplicity of these "small" pacific states, just look at Fiji. Its army has carried out four coups in 19 years either because it resents 50 per cent of the population being treated equally or as seems the case this time, its commander is unbalanced. NZ may have the patience to pander to these petty tyrants but Australia should stop ALL aid to The Solomon Islands, PNG, Vanuatu and Fiji. If these people want our money, our police and the ADF then they can become Australia Protectorates and let us govern them.
- William Burt
I think this is an arrogant attitude by this sick man. His destroying his own country most of all the its lovely people. I am a Pacific Islander. Our country has respect on whoever is governing the Country. I think he breach the constitution of his own country.
- Elizabeth
Why is the foreign media only focusing on 2 per cent of what is happening in our country, why not shift the cameras on 80 per cent of the country where the people are living peacefully and letting the politicians deal with crisis ? We believe that common sense will prevail and that the rule of law will return to our beautiful country. We agree that it is illegal what has happened. Do the media need us to create disturbance to be noticed? Is it not unique that if you look around the world today 98 per cent of our population can continue to carry on with their normal and daily lives undisturbed by the events that has taken place. Is this not the biggest news that such peace exists. Why does the media only focus on the small percentage of unrest and ignore the biggest and best part of the news? Is this the sign that the larger population are peaceful and law abiding? The perpetrators of this injustice and illegal actions are really only 1 per cent of the population. Give credit where credit is due. The perpetrators are less than 1 per cent of the population and are headline news. What about the rest of us who believe that the goodwill that exists in Fiji will overcome the evil and that goodness will prevail. Take your cameras to the rest of Fiji and portray the bigger picture of God fearing people.
-Harold Swann, Angeline Petersen, Christine Taylor
Qarase was made interim PM in 2000. to later win the DEMOCRATIC elections, he used millions worth of government money to give boats, engines, fishing equipment, agricultural implements to rural Fijians to buy votes. then he introduced racist policies. then he brought out convicted coup plotters and placed them in his government, then he and these few convicts sit around and push for legislation that may potentially divide the nation further. His government tore the people apart. Ironic coming from a PM whose byword was "reconciliation". did you know that nobody apologised to Chaudhry? that in 6 years(as Bainimarama said) the government never once said the 2000 takeover was wrong!! I am Fijian(not Indo-Fijian) and I think people should take an objective view over things. weigh the odds. who is more evil? Qarase or a commander who removes a racist government and still says the constitution is intact and there will be elections?
- Mere Vasili
Its about time that Fiji got a proper clean-up. Do we really want to see our paradise turning into a dark place which is rampant of drugs, poverty and corruption. Well, the Qarase-led government was leading us down this path to destruction by offering cabinet portfolios to those involved in 2000 coup. None of us like to see political upheaval in our countries but we have to be realistic and open our eyes to deceit and corruption in Fiji. If all goes well, Fiji will come out better than ever before under a leadership which can grow the country rather than destroying it. Fiji will survive this and there couldn't have been any better person than Commodore Bainimarama to guide us now.
- Ash Gosai
I totally support the actions of the military as the commander is trying to save the nation from corrupted people. we only request the overseas countries to please try to know what Mr Qarase was doing to our nation and then act.
- Ranil
I believe it was the right thing for Indians in Fiji who were sidelined by Indigenous people. Viva military!!
- Sangita Patel
It is a sad day for our country, Fiji. But in a challenging time like this, we will all see the true colours of the real leaders. Regardless of ethnicity, political party affiliation or religion, a true leader will rise in such an occasion and declare that the breaching of the rule of law under the constitution is totally wrong and must not be condoned. I therefore, with other leaders, people groups, NGO's, political parties, Church groups etc., I strongly disapprove of what the military conducted outside of the rule of law of the sovereignty of the Fiji islands. May God restore peace and order and bring healing and comfort to the many families who will be victims of this unwarranted event.
I PRAY THAT FAMILIES IN FIJI WILL STILL ENJOY THE TRUE MEANIING OF CHRISTMAS IN THEIR HOMES. MY HEART FELT PPRAYERS GOES OUT TO EVERYONE IN FIJI.
- Sully Taulealea , Melbourne
