27 JUNE 2000 HONOLULU (Pacnews) --- A former United States Ambassador to Fiji,
William Bodde has called for more consultations between Fiji's major trading
partners to assist Fiji find ways to resolve the political impasse, which has
now entered its 40th day.
Bodde said discussions should be encouraged between the United States, Australia,
New Zealand,
Japan, the Commonwealth and the European Union.
He said the option of trade sanctions is a 'big mistake'. "This attempt
would 'punish the victims'. I'm not a great fan of economic sanctions. I don't
think they are effective. I think they tend to punish the weakest elements of
society," Bodde said.
"The economy of Fiji is in the tank. I mean it's in serious, serious trouble.
And it will take years to get out of it. Sanctions would only make it worse.
Bodde said the crisis in Fiji is a 'dilemna' for the United States. "While
you can encourage your values abroad, you have neither the right nor the power
to make your values universal. And so, therefore, you deal with countries --
some are dictatorships, some are democracies, some are whatever -- and you deal
with them."
"We can't make the world over in America's image. We can't make every place
a pluralistic town called democracy. However, I don't think we should just say,
'Well, that's they way it is.' But I think we have to recognize that the path
to multiracial, pluralistic democracy in Fiji is going to take awhile. We have
to accept that as reality," Bodde said.
The former U.S diplomat said he believes many Fijians didn't agree with the
idea of a coup. "I think
George Speight has attracted a lot of resentment in Fiji," Bodde told Pacific
Islands Report.
"What the Fiji crisis is telling us is that Fijians will not accept an
Indian government. It means democracy in Fiji is not yet acceptable."
On May 19, George Speight and a group of six armed soldiers took over Parliament
and have since held hostage Fiji's democratically elected Prime Minister, Mahendra
Chaudhry and his Cabinet ministers.
Bodde, now retired from the U.S. State Department and is currently teaching
at the University of
Hawai'i...PNS (ENDS)
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