Mara,
I have really appreciated your Fiji coup website. What an excellent job
you are doing with it. I check it every day. I'm stunned that Speight is
getting his way. I didn't think the people would allow another coup. It
all is becoming much more interesting than I wish it would be.
...Keep up the pulitzer work on the website!
Marsha
It is frustrating for all of us to watch from the outside. But if I learned
anything from living in Fiji, it is that we, as Americans in the Western
world, cannot apply our own standards of freedom of speech and representation
to
the indigenous cultures. They will swiftly turn around and point out the deep
and dire mistakes that our own government made with the Native American and
Hawaiian people. No, this is a country where the indigenous people have
struggled to maintain control and not be a "conquered" people.
Unfortunately, it is not as simple as that. There is an excellent analysis
by Brij Lat (or
was it Victor, I've included them both on my website) where he goes through
the
history of Fiji and where the various factions come from. The demonstration
we're watching today is deeply rooted in tribal rivalries that go back for
over a century. The Indo-Fijians are just in the way. Ironically, they had been
brought to Fiji by the British to prevent the Fijian culture from being
"conquered" and diluted. Now, in order for them to "preserve"
their culture,
they must adopt many of the industrialized notions of economy, education,
and government in order to survive. It is a very complex problem, indeed.
You cannot help but sympathize with all sides in this issue. I do not
condone Speights action one iota. However, he could have chosen more democratic
and
legal means to reach a compromise. He has turned out to be a rather
charismatic madman, as many are, who has been able to increase his support among
the
more disenfranchised Fijians. That includes chiefs who have been jealous of
the
Lauan hold over leadership, and the poorer Fijians from other parts of the
Fiji group who rarely, if ever, benefit from the many "deals" that
are setup to
give Fijians an edge, including scholarships, loans, etc. They don't own anything
individually, except the chiefs.
So it is the strongest leaders such as Ratu Mara who has become the target
of such underlying animosity. I saw it many
times among my Fijian friends.
I even challenged Rabuka's government myself
when a staffmember of mine who was from the Yasawas, a rather neglected
group in the Fiji islands, was turned down for a Fijian Affairs scholarship
even
though he'd been accepted into a prestigious overseas program. My actions
shamed the upper admin of USP into offering him a scholarship instead,
something they'd never done for an undergraduate degree. Unfortunately the
semester was already six weeks started and the poor man returned home in
complete and utter failure. I begged him not to quit and gave him one of the
most public and prestigious design projects one could have, the final design
of Fiji's 25th anniversary logo. He attended many gov't meetings, his work was
seen and used everywhere including as a postal stamp, and he was awarded a
national honor from the gov't. The USP couldn't deny giving him the
scholarship to proceed the following year. It would have meant a great embarassment.
Three years later he graduated with honors and when I saw him last year he was
talking about going back for a masters degree.
But the episode demonstrates the in-fighting, the so-called "honor"
of
leaders, the bias against the "tall poppy" with any talent. Instead
it comes down to
manipulation and public humiliation. I guess it isn't so different from our
own political system....
In anycase, I appreciate your sharing your thoughts with me. It is a
catharsis to have an outlet for our frustrations.
Yours,
Mara
PS: The folks we know in Savusavu run Sea Fiji Ltd. and Eco Divers Ltd.
Curly
Carswell and his wife. They can be reached at 679-850-122. Email:
ecodivers@is.com.fj ; mailing address: P O Box 264 , Savusavu , Fiji
Islands.
They also have a North American agent with a website at:
http://www.seafiji.com
If you're contacting him directly in Fiji, please mention my husband, Keith
Fulmer, who worked with Curly for quite some time at Fiji's Recompression
Chamber in Suva. - yours, mara
> I am even further saddened today after reading all the coup updates this
> morning. Without revealing much detail of my work background, I am from
the
> school that once you know you are at the point where you're negotiations
> with a person such as Speight personality has reached a certain level,
to
> continue to give into demands only serves to further build their ego of
> getting everything wanted. Negotiations are a very precarious volley of
> time and verbage. I am sure if you talk with a variety of specialists in
> this area, you would receive an equal number of opinions. Always the
safety
> of the hsotages are paramount. Unfortunately, that is what a kidnapper,
in
> this case Speight, is banking on. At some point in time, the hostages
lives
> become eually or greater in danger as it is hard to take back compromises
> already agreed to be given.
>
> If the news reports are factual, I can't help but feel that if the
President
> stands firm in not resigning as Speight stands firm in demanding his
> resignation, the safety of the hostages is in grave trouble. I know that
> certain decisions, early on, in this as any crisis, are difficult ones
to
> make. There is laways a risk of someone being injured or fatally injured.
> Sometimes there is truth to the remark that an early resolution si the
best.
> Fiji's situation has gone on too long for it to be considered " the
norm".
> A peaceful solution may not be a reality.
>
> Many nations and cities ahve experienced terrorist style approaches to
> change, rioting, looting and the destruction of ones own homes and towns.
I
> came to Kaua'i via Los Angeles where I had been born and raised. Even in
> the most civilized of conditions, the racial tensions mounted and peaked
> twice in 1965 and the early 1990's. Both times, people were hurt, killed,
> the residents looted and burned their own homes and towns. This always
> seemd to amaze me that they were willing to destroy their own
neighborhoods
> that afterwards, took years to recover from. Histororians may note that
> often throughout history, it has taken extreme measures on the part of
> ceratin individual to be listened to and/or to make their point. They
will
> even say that these are steps backwards in order to go forward. And
finally
> they say there has always been much suffering by those less fortunate.
I
> suppose if you traced back you would find some of that to be true in
certain
> instances. We live or should, ina atmosphere where freedom of thought,
> speech and individuality may not always be agreed upon but certainly
> respected.
>
> In my determination not be become cynical about life and human being as
a
> whole, I refuse to accept that someone like Speight would actually believe
> that a racially motivated, selected and dominated government is the fair
> way. Again, if the news reporst are factual, he is no different than what
> he is accusing the current government of doing. Speight will not go down
as
> a hero who spoke for the people, but rather jus a plain old terrorist.
If
> the majority of the Fijian population wants a selected government and
> constitution such as Speight has described, then Fijians have a much
longer
> way to go than I thought and they will continue to be a divided nation
> amongst themselves. If the current government did not listen to the
> heartbeat of its' nations people, they certainly must accept their part
of
> the responsibility of how the situation peaked. If there were avenues
> available to the GCC or any other persons or entitites that could have
> raised the plight to a level of criticalness with the right agencies or
> person's in government and they did not, they too must accept their part.
> That includes Mr. Speight. But as we all all aware, to go back and point
> the finger serves little purpose other than a more complete understanding
of
> how things got out of hand from the start.
>
> I offer no strategy for a conclusion. Perhaps my incomplete knowledge of
> the situation prevents me from offering solutions. It is always much
easier
> looking from the outside in than being quagmired in the thick of it. I
am
> sure many scenarios have been reviewed and offered. I continue to pray
for
> the people of Fiji, my furture desired homeland and for Mr. Speight who
> appears to be perpetuating his nation around a corner that will not easily
> be manuevered.
>
> Mara, my e-mail is too long but my only method expressing my frustration.
I
> apologize if I have mistated anything factual and will keep close watch
as
> the situation continues to unfold.
>
> By the way........in answer to one of your questions, the area of Savusavu
> is one of the areas we have been interested in. If you have friends there
> that wouldn't mind being contacted via e-mail or otherwise, I would love
to
> do so to obtain some additional insight. Please let me know !!
>
> Aloha....................Teresa
>
Dear Mara,
I was very touched by your article and wish to let you know that things are
not as good as we were hoping from the onset, that this crisis would be
resolved and that everyone would get on with business as usual. I know that
there are family and friends from around the globe who are tuned in and are
interested in the affairs of late about how Government is being held
hostage. Believe me, as a journalist, I found the situation in the complex
very uncomfortable because when I look into the eyes of the supporters and
those who have congregated there to show support for the rebels, I don't
recognise them as Fijians. I have attached here for you a story that I have
written that my editor thinks could be antagonistic but I feel that you may
wish to know about what the man leading the takeover is like from my
perspective. I hope that you enjoy the read and you can respond with your
comments or be in touch on rosemary@journalist.com. Pray for us and please
keep in touch.
Rosemary.
....the more support, the man gets, the more I'm
concerned. He would have made an excellent preacher because that's the way
that the indigenous people are reacting to him - he is a savior come along
with his incredible charisma and magnetism.
But I've seen what lurks behind that and I see a very ambitious man. Some
have even called him demented and he reminds me of a schizoprehic because he
seems alright but at times what he does is just out of the world such as
rapping to music a couple of days ago. How could he when there are famillies
out there missing their fathers and mothers who are held hostages. Not to
mention the economic, social and political disaster that he seems to ahev
incurred. And he blames everything on the President who is our linkt to law
and order...
Rosemary
I just read your piece on Fiji listed on the PIDP page. It was
well-written and spoke to my heart. My husband and I were Peace Corps
volunteers in SavuSavu in 75-76, teaching at the secondary school there.
Recently, we scraped together enough money to go back, taking our son with
us. He promptly fell in love with our adopted home, too. Ironically, we
were there on the day the new constitution officially went into effect,
giving the students a school holiday, and allowing our son to spend time
with the local kids learning just how good youngsters can be at soccer.
I have spent hours following this recent tragedy over the web; and, like
you, have found the USP and Fijilive sites to be most helpful. Pacific
Islands Development Report, out of Hawaii, has had excellent links to these
and other valuable sites.
For the last couple of months, as I read the Fiji Times each morning over
the web, or other Fiji sources, I've shared with my husband that I thought
something was brewing and was afraid they'd travel the coup route again.
Sadly, it was almost prophetic.
Lorene Dykstra
Lorene W. Dykstra, Principal
Maquoketa Comm. High School
600 Washington St
Maquoketa, IA 52060
Phone: 319-652-2451
Fax: 319 652 5324
Aloha Mara,
I just wanted to send a short note to thank you for your recent commentary I
read on line with the PIDP group. I too have been intently staying abreast
of the most recent information about the FIji unrest. We have lived
permanently on the island of Kaua'i for the past 7 years. As more progress
comes here and the island charm slowly eroding, I began researching the
possibility of a partial move to Fiji. For the past two years I have been
trying to convine my husband to look on the islands of Taveuni and Vanua
Levu. I have praised to him the opportunity of a more peaceful existence
and an atmosphere much like Hawaii was 15 or more years ago. We are retired
and I looked forward to volunterr working for the betterment of the
surrounding community we chose to live within. I hope that this latest
issue will not set us back in our endeavor, although I will probably face
another uphill approach with my husband. I too can understand his
resistance in investing some of our hard earned cash in Fiji property that
he fears could be taken away during or after any other future coup. I feel
bad for FIji, its' people and what they will have to do to rebuild their
relationships. Hopefully, as troublesome as this is, it will be s ripple in
the stepping stone of a more promising future. I wish you and your extended
family the best and more peaceful times.
Mahalo and Vinaka.................T.D.
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