I'm not the only one condemming G.C.C's decision which has no factual basis designed by truth-impaired individuals like Fiji's crooked Attorney General.
So after G.C.C disregarded the public's view and glossed over the contentions raised by Fiji Law Society and Fiji Military. Now the G.C.C wants people to respect their decision and unify. Well let me tell you something about respect G.C.C, it's a two-way street.
That respect must also weigh on the G.C.C decision which is so far divorced from reality, they could be on the planet Mars.
That idea to out-source security to an Israeli private security firm is taking fire already from all quarters in Fiji. Deja Vu of P.N.G and Sandline International- a British security firm contracted to protect the Diamond mines there.
Selected letters to Fiji Times Editor of Sat. July 30th edition.
Our future
WATCHING Hotel Rwanda starring Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo made me realise how fragile our political situation is.
I wonder what the future holds for our young generation who will be fathers and mothers of this land. It scares me reading newspapers and watching TV about the political crisis in Fiji. Are we at war against our neighbour and the vanua?
What happened to the days of chiefly loyalty and respect? Is this going to be the guilty generation in the future? Can the country assure the future generation of this land that our future is stable and blood will not spill on the vanua?
The Bible (Corinthians 13: 4-8) says love is patient, love is kind.
Love does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, trusts, hope and always perseveres. Love never fails but who will be responsible for our future?
Salanieta Delailakeba
Nausori
Blaming Christians
THE testimony of a former Hindu who converted to Christianity that Hindu Rayman and idols are powerless, is indeed offensive.
People who make such comments lack commonsense. As Christians, we are supposed to share the love of Jesus Christ, not condemn but respect people of other faiths.
The speculation that churches are behind the desecration of temples is baseless and offensive. People who break in, steal and desecrate temples are thieves. They target churches too.
Hindus in Fiji have all the freedom to freely practise their faith without fear of persecution or incarceration, unlike Christians in India and in Islamic countries who live in fear all the time. In India, Christians have been forced to convert to Hinduism by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Recently, about 500 Hindu villagers attacked members of a church in Karnataka where they sexually molested female members, burned Bibles and bashed the pastor and his wife, who bled profusely. In January 1998, Dara Singh, a Hindu activist, attacked an Australian missionary who was sleeping with his two sons in their vehicle.
The group beat the three unmercifully with their fists and clubs. Then they set the vehicle on fire and watched the three roast alive.
What I am trying to say is that Christians and the churches are not going around berating Hindus, burning their places of worship or houses.
Even when we had the coups, Fijians, mainly Christians, and Indians lived peacefully. There was no religious rioting. It is wrong to think that churches or Christians are involved in sacrilege.
Emmanuel Prasad
Lautoka
Modern design
IN the centre of Suva a large and expensive building has been built.
It is a jewel of modern architecture yet demonstrates little in regards to the culture and style of Fiji. Suva is the business centre of the South Pacific and as such, could be a monument to exquisite taste in the combining of modern and traditional designs.
An architect of vision is desperately needed for the proposed new downtown market building, before Suva becomes a duplicate of so many faceless cities.
GB Willow Albert,
Waidroka Bay
State lies
THE opinion piece 'State's lies and deception' (FT 26/7) written by the head of the School of Social and Economic Development at the University of the South Pacific, is a dubious testament to scholarship in his field.
Even if the motive was purely political, his pedantic and convoluted diatribe against the Prime Minister deserves no amnesty from criticism.
Bill Miller
Suva
Army's stand
THE stand taken by Voreqe Bainimarama and the army against the Government and the Unity Bill in the name of national security and justice is, in my view, a disguise and an attempt to prevent the truth from being told — that the 2000 coup was a military coup disguised as a civilian coup.
In order to save their souls, the Commander and military will go to any lengths to protect themselves, even appeasing Mahendra Chaudhry and the Labour Party from taking further court action against them and bullying, threatening and belittling the Government and everyone else in their way everytime they feel like it.
How ironic that Commodore Bainimarama should be singing the tune of justice.
Why didn't he apply justice in 2000 when he had the power and authority in the world to have the Labour Government reinstated after they were set free from captivity?
That is the question all right-thinking people should be asking the Commander.
Lydia Underwood
Nausori
Woman PM
IMTIAZ Ali (FT 23/7) said Fiji needs a female PM. The suggestion may not sit well with many but I believe Mr Ali's comment represents a cry from the heart of a young nation.
We cannot deny that we have lost our cohesiveness. It happened when political fathers brought about disruption, disunity and disenchantment among us.
Like insecure, deprived juveniles, we bicker and quarrel among ourselves, floundering between arguments and ideals and ending nowhere in the process. Some took offence at the remark by the Commonwealth secretary-general that Fiji was a nation of children.
He was correct because we have yet to come of age in politics. Before it happened, the rug in the family room was pulled from under us by a group of irresponsible fathers.
The comfort and security the country needs to settle and grow is not there. If we do not make it available, juvenile delinquents will grow into irresponsible adults who will be of little use in society.
I read with dismay that tourists were told to stay away from Fiji because of the political uncertainty.
Do we know what we are doing and where we are going? The warning was over the top but on one hand it is our fault for behaving in a way that created a wrong impression of us to the world. What will it take for Fiji to settle and grow? It takes a responsible parent with a lateral thought process and unwavering commitment to the common good.
When Corazon Aquino became president of the Philippines there was a huge celebration. Her victory signalled the end of Marcos and people danced in the streets.
A TV reporter asked a young man in the crowd what was it about Ms Aquino's victory that made him happy? He replied: "Because our country needs a mother."
DGM Robinson
Labasa
Bill for voters
MUCH has been said about the Unity Bill. It causes goodwill and reconciliation to a certain race while it means fear and uncertainty to another group.
Where one stands in his opinion we must not forget there is a group whose voice is not heard. These are the bystanders or silent minority.
Each voter should be given a slip of paper on election day to tick if they support the Bill. That way, unless one does not want to vote or is not eligible, all citizens of the country are guaranteed their voice is heard.
Seleisitino Caucau
Ba
GCC Support
DR JONA Senilagakali (FT 28/7) may have pre-empted the decision of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga which supports the Unity Bill. The council cannot go against the will of the people if it wanted.
The Bose Levu Vakaturaga was enshrined in the 1997 Constitution as a counter-balance to the increased political representation granted to Indians.
When it comes to brass tax, the Bill eventually became a struggle along racial demarcation, with 99 per cent Fijians supporting it and 99 per cent Indians opposing it. If the GCC opposed the Bill, it would be seen to be supporting Indians over Fijian interests.
The chronology of events Dr Senilagakali listed and the stand the august body took, proves it will never go against its people. It means the Bill will sail through Parliament.
If you are in jail because you do not like Indians, the Bill will be your get-out-of-jail-free ticket. Expect members of the Opposition to boycott the debate.
The burden of proof now falls on victims. First, they have to overcome the stereotype that will come their way because of their opposition to the Bill.
Proving that you were a victim of the coup would be like proving a back pain — impossible. Unless there is a radical departure from the status quo, the SDL will win more than 39 seats in 2006.
I take my hat off to the Prime Minister for devising an excellent strategy and winning the election one year before it is held. But whether it will be good for the country is another question.
Praneet Singh
Sacramento California
Finance post
I READ with interest media reports on the inaciton by the Public Service Commission to appoint a new chief executive for the Finance Ministry.
Two months have passed since eight candidates were interviewed. Why has the PSC not given a recommendation to the PM? At one stage, the PSC chairman and CEO were away overseas — one reason for the delay. Before that, the chairman went overseas on a private visit, not connected to his post.
Before that, the excuse they gave for the delay was that the post had to be re-advertised because of a lack of suitable candidates. At one stage, reports said "an expatriate may fill the position".
Word on the grapevine says that in the interview of eight candidates by five members of the commission, Paula Uluinaceva topped the scoresheet but the CEO felt he was too young. Now we hear the CEO is trying to recommend someone from his old school.
In my analysis, the CEO is acting like that because: Mr Uluinaceva is from Kadavu and not from Lau and hence is not eligible. If the CEO concurs to the promotion, Mr Uluinaceva will be paid more and be his senior. The CEO's shunning of Mr Uluinaceva shows he is threatened by a young and capable executive, and
It also shows his inefficiency, considering that he is the final recommending officer for about 300 posts in the so-called senior executive service as compared to more than 23,000 posts delegated to ministries and departments.
Please CEO (PSC), give Mr Uluinaceva a fair go. He is young, dynamic and will prove himself. If you feel he is only the Acting Deputy Secretary, the fact the CEO post will be contracted alienates the requirement of serving 2-3 years. Let justice prevail.
Aminio Bale
Qauia Village
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