USP Journalism online (new UTS host): http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/
USP Journalism ("mirror" of gagged site): http://www.sidsnet.org/pacific/usp/journ/
Wansolwara Online: http://www.lookinglassdesign.com/wansolwara/wansol.html
Have your say: http://www.TheGuestBook.com/vgbook/109497.gbook
SUVA: There will soon be an appointed new interim government to replace
the elected one of Mahendra Chaudhry. Terrorist leader George Speight
has suggested names for the new administration. The army has put out
another list. Undoubtedly there will be a compromise.
A well-known name on George Speight's list is Professor Asesela Ravuvu,
director of Pacific studies at the University of the South Pacific in Suva
Professor Ravuvu, is the author of "The Facade of Democracy - Fijian
struggles for political control 1830-1987" with chapters on the
influence of Europeans and Indians; the 1987 army coup; issues of
equality and democracy and comments on overseas viewpoints.
The following quotes from the book give a flavour of its content:
* " Fijians are peace loving and this quality has made it possible for
other races to live with them....'
* "The lack of true commitment of the Indian community to Fiji is
evident and well known to Fijians."
* " The Fijians also felt culturally threatened when the authority and
role of the chiefs was challenged. The chiefs and the people were one."
Talking about the lead up to the 1987 coup by Sitiveni Rabuka, the
author writes:
* "These calls for multiracialism fell largely on deaf ears. Greed and
hunger for power blinded the vision of Indian political leaders and the
direction was set to topple the predominantly Fijian backed Alliance
government of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. "
Prof Ravuvu's vision of the 1997 elections could be seen as a Cassandra
prophecy for what has happened in the last few weeks. He writes:
* "To the Fijians, the Coalition victory in the 1987 elections seemed
like a clever stunt performed with strings, mirrors and "democracy".
Professor Ravuvu has obviously been thinking about the future of his
country and he too has doubts on the part played by the chiefs.
In an interview with USP journalism student Susana Bulewa (May 28) on
Pacific Journalism Online, the professor said the majority of the Fijian
chiefs no longer had the power to influence their people:
"It is high time that the people are given back the flexibility and
power to select and install their leaders who will be accountable to them...."
If Prof Ravuvu is correct, a question that must arise for the future of
Fiji is why anyone should even bother writing another constitution. That
last one was overthrown through terrorist action, the previous one was
overthrown by the army.
Who in this country will respect yet another constitution when they seem
to be built to be destroyed?
It took the whole Fiji army to do what it did in 1987. Thirteen years
later it only took a mere civilian and six other men.
Prof Ravuvu sees the chiefly system in trouble, so who will be in
control when the army goes back to barracks.
When and if the former Prime Minister and the other 30 hostages emerge
pale-faced but safe from the cells of Parliament, it will only be a
short time before they talk loud and often to a waiting world media.
I am not sure that guns and threats can silence these and other voices.
It looks like being a long, dark and also a noisy night for Fiji.
* Patrick Craddock is senior audio producer of the Media Centre and
associate lecturer in journalism. The views in this commentary are those
of the author, not the institution.
+++niuswire
Subject: [pasifik_nius] 2810 FIJI: Commentary: 'The facade of democracy'
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2000 14:41:42 +1300
From: Journ12 <robie_d@usp.ac.fj>
Organization: Journalism, University of the South Pacific
To: Pasifik Nius <pasifik_nius@lists.c2o.org>
Title -- 2810 FIJI: Commentary: 'The facade of democracy'
Date -- 20 June 2000
Byline -- Patrick Craddock
Origin -- Pasifik Nius
Source -- USP Journalism, 20/6/00
Copyright -- USP Journalism
Status -- Unabridged
-------------------
This document is for educational and research use only. Recipients
should seek permission from the copyright source before reprinting.
PASIFIK NIUS service is provided by the niusedita via the Journalism
Program, University of the South Pacific.
Please acknowledge Pasifik Nius: niusedita@pactok.net.au
http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/nius/index.html
This site is best viewed using Netscape 4.0 or higher.
Any problems or kind suggestions, please email: webmaster@lookinglassdesign.com
last revision June 19, 2000