TEARS flowed around the country as the remaining 18 hostages
were released from parliament yesterday.
The moment of truth however, probably came when hostage taker
George Speight was hugged by deposed prime minister
Mahendra Chaudhry after he presented a bulubulu (token of
apology) before his release. The once free flowing words of
seasoned radio broadcaster Malakai Veisamasama, reporting live
from parliament to FM96 heaquarters were simply: "I am lost for
words".
According to Veisamasama tears flowed freely within the complex
also. But the tears of the nation will be one with the families of the
hostages as tears of relief. One can only stand in awe and see how
in all of our adversity, fear and tension the people of Fiji have
easily shown the humanitarian side of their nature.
Only in Fiji can a hostage hug his hostage taker. Only in Fiji can
a hostage taker humble himself and present the highest symbol of
honour - a whale's tooth to his hostage. Only in Fiji can people
who were once strong enemies become so close again. The people
of Fiji have gone through a lot and we can say we were held
ransom in one way or another ever since May 19. Jobs have been
lost. Two lives have been taken as a result of the May 19 event.
People are having difficulty making ends meet.
But probably the biggest losers are the leaders of tomorrow - our
children. Some may never be able to realise their dreams because
their parents have lost their source of income. For some lives will
be altered forever because of the trauma of the events. For in their
innocent eyes no one can tell, unless someone advises them
properly, whether what happened on May 19 was right or wrong.
We can only pray and hope when their time comes they do not
believe that taking power by force is the right thing.
We can only hope and pray that they do not believe that soldiers should always
be allowed to roam the
streets with guns in their hands - whether they be rebels or government loyalists.
But as most of the hostages
believe, we must put our past behind and move forward.
It is now a time for the country to rebuild itself. But in the spirit of the
moment we must thank George
Speight for releasing the hostages and honouring the Muanikau Accord and to
Commodore Voreqe
Bainimarama for keeping his promise that they were acting in the interests of
the hostages. And hats off to
the chief of the moment the Qaranivalu, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, who looked for
a common ground and
resolved a situation in only a matter of days.
Fiji's Daily Post
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