By East Asia reporter Clare Arthurs
Mahendra Chaudhry reunited with his granddaughter Sonia
The release of the hostages in Fiji has been greeted
with jubilation, but as deposed Prime Minister Mahendra
Chaudhry said on his release, there is much to be done
to get Fiji back on its feet.
It is a sentiment echoed by Fiji's larger neighbours, New
Zealand and Australia, which have been at the forefront
of external pressure on Fiji to return to democracy.
There are practical measures which will now have to be
addressed to resolve the political crisis of the past two
months.
The release of the hostages was a precondition for the
selection of the new president and the new government
by the Great Council of Chiefs.
The military is still in control and martial law has not yet
been lifted - and will not be until power is handed to the
new administration.
The deposed ethnic-Indian Prime Minister, Mahendra
Chaudhry, is out of government and it is not
clear what his new role will be.
Out, too, is Fiji's multi-racial constitution - much to the
dismay of many in and outside Fiji.
These are the key demands of the rebels led by George Speight, who have
also achieved their goal of amnesty from prosecution
for their armed rebellion.
Mr Chaudhry says he has already forgiven Mr Speight.
But other ethnic Indians will be less relaxed, fearing
continued violence and intimidation. Many are
considering leaving the country.
There is further trouble on the islands, too. Indigenous
demand for greater land rights is fuelling unrest, and in
recent days Fijians have seized a number of tourist
resorts.
Tourism and other sectors of Fiji's economy have been
hit hard by the crisis and will take time to recover, even
if other nations agree to resume trade and other
contacts.
The coup has outraged members of the international
community, including Australia and India, who are
concerned at the trampling of democracy and human
rights.
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last revision July 13, 2000