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Thread ID: 74653 2006-11-30 07:40:00 Fiji military demand - Isn't it a good thing? Strommer (42) PC World Chat
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503262 2006-11-30 07:40:00 What is so wrong with the demands by Fiji's military chief, Mr Bainimarama, who wants his prime minister / the Fiji government to quit these three pieces of legislation:

1. offering an amnesty to those involved in a coup six years ago

2. granting coastal land ownership to indigenous Fijians

3. offering compensation to land owners.

Now I am not sure about point 3 but the first two seem racially inspired or at least unfair in the light of the last coup. By the way, military chief Bainimarana opposed that racially-motivated coup in 2000, and was at one point forced to flee the country.

What gets me is that while there has been adequate media coverage of the problems in Fiji, along with highlighting yesterday's attempt at negotiation in Wellington, I am not aware of our media highlighting what seems clearly wrong - that the Fiji PM wants to give an amnesty and Fijian land ownership (ignoring the huge Indian population).

Whats going on???

Refer to news.bbc.co.uk
Strommer (42)
503263 2006-11-30 09:19:00 Tavuki. R2x1 (4628)
503264 2006-11-30 09:29:00 I would agree that the demands look pretty sensible, at least from this distance. The problem is that the demands are backed up by a threat of military force. Fiji sees itself as a democracy, and that means that the "demands" on the government should come from the electorate, with the possibility of voting out the government if they are not met. It does not mean that a particular group that happens to have access to guns and ammunition can force its will on the government.

A country's military forces exist to protect the country against external threat, and they must be subject to the will of the elected government. However strongly Commodore Bainimarama feels that he is right, he has violated one of the most basic foundations of a civilised society. What his position comes down to is that if he does not get his way, the troops will start shooting people.
Jayess64 (8703)
503265 2006-11-30 09:39:00 I would agree that the demands look pretty sensible, at least from this distance. The problem is that the demands are backed up by a threat of military force. Fiji sees itself as a democracy, and that means that the "demands" on the government should come from the electorate, with the possibility of voting out the government if they are not met. It does not mean that a particular group that happens to have access to guns and ammunition can force its will on the government.

A country's military forces exist to protect the country against external threat, and they must be subject to the will of the elected government. However strongly Commodore Bainimarama feels that he is right, he has violated one of the most basic foundations of a civilised society. What his position comes down to is that if he does not get his way, the troops will start shooting people.

Yes you hit the nail on the head Jayess64. I think Commodore Bainimarama should be arrested and court marshalled.

Trevor :)
Trev (427)
503266 2006-11-30 10:15:00 He should be arrested and shot.

Fiji will never settle down untill the Government shows the Military they cant just take over an elected office whenever they feel like it.

This will probally mean bloodshed.:dogeye: :dogeye:
Metla (12)
503267 2006-11-30 10:18:00 If they locked evryone up there wouldn't be any more trouble. mark c (247)
503268 2006-11-30 10:45:00 On the bright side - there could be some cheap package holidays available after the fuss dies down... :D johcar (6283)
503269 2006-11-30 10:54:00 Yes johcar ny bro and sister in law did a really budget holiday down to belize shortly after 9/11. (They live in Omaha Nebraska) And they are not cynical people, just realistic. mark c (247)
503270 2006-11-30 12:07:00 On the bright side - there could be some cheap package holidays available after the fuss dies down... :D
I see your glass is half full.
mikebartnz (21)
503271 2006-11-30 13:11:00 Give it another hundred years and the place will have to be re-colonized. zqwerty (97)
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