CALLS from numerous indigenous Fijians were received by the
Daily Post yesterday, questioning George Speight's right to
question Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara's presence in the Great
Council of Chiefs meeting today at the army camp in Nabua. A
caller who wanted to remain anonymous said Ratu Sir Kamisese
is a paramount chief of Fiji and he's a GCC member.
"Who is this Speight? I must remind him that Ratu Sir
Kamisese has done a lot for Fiji and Speight should be ashamed
of himself as he's very disrespectful to the Fijian chiefly
system," he said. He said Speight's recent attacks on the Lau
high chief should stop. Mick Beddoes in a letter to the Daily
Post said ,"Chiefs are the pinnacle of Fijian society and their
customs and traditions based on mutual respect and trust, what
possible explanation can Speight give for the derogatory and
disrespectful manner in which he has treated Ratu Sir Kamisese."
He said Ratu Sir Kamisese not only dedicated his life to the
service of his people, but to the country and region. "The respect
that he commands locally and internationally is unparalleled, yet
the treatment he is receiving at the hands of some sectors of the
Fijian people is a matter of great shame and sadness."
He added that whoever they select as President, Prime Minister
or Cabinet Minister will mean little or nothing to the majority of
the population, because the selection is based not on merit, but
on intimidation, threats and manipulation of some unsuspecting
chiefs. None of the new appointments he said will have the
respect or support of the majority of the people, because respect
is something that can only be earned not enforced.
He said that at this time of the crisis, the country needs Ratu Sir
Kamisese, but after all that has been said about the Lau high chief, a section
of the Fijian community is
against him. "I know the country needs him, but I don't think the Fijian
people deserve him."
Fiji's Daily Post
This site is best viewed using Netscape 4.0 or higher.
Any problems or kind suggestions, please email: webmaster@lookinglassdesign.com
last revision July 13, 2000