May I firstly take this opportunity to express my heartfelt
gratitude on behalf of my colleagues and their families to all of
our friends and supporters both here at home an the world who
have given us strength, support and courage during the two
months of our captivity.
Your prayers and solidarity have not only sustained us during
these trying times. They have strengthened our commitment to
peace, democracy and justice in our beloved country. On behalf
of my wife, Virmati, and family, I want to especially thank you
for your prayers, visits, letters and other expressions of support.
As you are aware, we were denied access to information on
happenings in the country while held hostage in Parliament. It is
only since our release that we have got the full picture. While it
is a source of great joy and happiness to be freed from captivity,
our relief has been tinged with great sadness at the suffering and
pain that has clearly been inflicted upon our people, our children
and families.
I am only just beginning to come to terms with the extent and
depth of the trauma unleashed upon our society - the violence,
the burnings, the wanton destruction and looting, in Suva,
Tailevu, Naitasiri, Labasa, Rakiraki and elsewhere around the
country. The scale of violence and suffering has shaken the very
fabric of our peaceloving multiracial country. Indeed it is far
greater and more damaging in its impact than the personal
experience I have just gone through, unpleasant though that was.
My heart and prayers at this time are with the all the victims of the nightmare
unleashed upon our country
since 19th May.
The institutions of the state have also suffered great damage. Police stations
and military bases across the
country been taken over by armed civilian groups. A spate of hostage taking
incidents has erupted in
Korovou, Labasa, Savusavu, Naboro Prison and other places.
Internally, these institutions, particularly the security forces, are being
fractured by political, provincial and
racial divisions. The integrity and professionalism of our judiciary and others
state services have been
seriously compromised.
The lawlessness has extended to the sabotage of public utilities like electricity,
water supply, public roads
and airports. It includes the unlawful and violent takeover of tourist resorts
and other private businesses like
the Natural Waters of Fiji Ltd.
All these actions have hurt investors - both foreign and local - who have demonstrated
their confidence in
our economy. They have done irreparable damage to our economy and they demonstrate
the loss of respect
for the rule of law, constitutional government, and the dignity and rights of
human beings.
Despite the havoc, destruction and anarchy sweeping through our country at
this time, I believe that the vast
majority of our people are peace-loving and law-abiding. A vocal and violent
minority holds the whole
country ransom. In this moment of national crisis, the challenge before us is
to vigilantly defend our nation,
its noble heritage of multiracialism, religious tolerance, human rights and
constitutional government.
It is a time for courage, fortitude and unwavering commitment to the universal
principles of democracy,
constitutional authority, and the rule of law which are enshrined in Fiji's
Constitution. Our commitment to
these principles requires the reinstatement of the legitimate, democratically-elected
People's Coalition
Government.
As the elected leader of this country, I call upon each and every one of our
citizens to join us in the struggle
to defend and uphold the sanctity of our Constitution.
The integrity of the state, its institutions, and ultimate very fabric of our
multiracial society depend on this .
Only in this way do I believe that we have any real prospect of rebuilding
a country of which we can all be
proud. Only in this way, will our beloved country regain its rightful place
of recognition and respect in the
international community
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