It has been abundantly apparent that most of Fiji's chiefs support the R.T.U Bill. That does not constitute the nation of Fiji.
Qarase continues to dangle his bait to the uneducated people in rural Fiji.
Fijian landowners have not received ther dues from the N.L.T.B since it's inception in 1940.
Letters to the Editor of F.T July 7th 2005.
Public opinion
ACCORDING to Sir Geoffrey Palmer, a former New Zealand Prime Minister who holds a Doctorate of Law degree, the Government's proposed Promotion of Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity Bill is an affront to human rights, the rule of law and judical independence.
It is also unconstitutional (ST 3/7).
Attorney-General Qoriniasi Bale said Sir Geoffrey was entitled to his opinion (ST 3/7).
As an ordinary citizen, can I ask the learned A-G whether Sir Geoffrey is qualified to give an opinion on this Bill and whether it is okay for ordinary citizens like me to be guided by it to form our own opinions on the Bill?
Rajend Naidu
Nasinu
Christian principles
RECONCILIATION, tolerance and unity are in line with what Jesus says in the Bible and Christians are commanded to forgive those who do you wrong otherwise God cannot forgive us our sins.
The Lord's prayer says "... forgive us as we forgive those who sin again us." I believe this is good for our nation. But there's only one problem and it includes those involved in the coup.
The Government wants to pass a Bill giving amnesty to people who have not admitted that the coup was wrong. In fact, a news report on a group of coup plotters being released from Nukulau after serving time quoted one individual as saying "I have no regrets. I did it for the vanua".
Another thing is that the amnesty conveniently comes into force before the next election. Imagine plotters analy-sing where they went wrong and refining Plan B.
We are told that releases from prison are not automatic but will be considered case by case.
Reassuring, but not totally convincing when coming from the authorities who use the "revolving door" policy reserved for prominent colleagues who conveniently become sick shortly after conviction.
It's good to quote Christian principles to influence situations.
But what type of Christians are we listening to those like Judas who walked with Jesus, heard His sermons and saw the miracles but whose agenda involved money - or those like Saul who thought he was doing good until God showed him it was evil and he completely repented and changed not only his actions but also his name.
We Christians all need to examine ourselves, especially our leaders and preachers. God has a destiny for our nation and people. I have heard it professed that we are to be the head and not the tail.
We can't do that unless we first repent and turn from our wicked ways and pray, worshipping God in spirit and in truth. We all need to pray for leaders of integrity.
May God bless and prosper our beautiful nation and people, and may we always aspire to be what the late Pope said we could be — "The way the world should be".
John Robinson
Lami
Parliament House
THE Parliament House of Fiji is only about 10 years old but is requiring thousands of dollars for major repair work.
There are so many wooden houses or buildings in Fiji over 50 years old needing hardly any maintenance except for a new coat of paint.
This shows that the craftsmanship applied in building our Parliament House has been of poor standard. Someone should be responsible for the loss, charged and made to pay compensation.
Ishwari Prasad
Suva
Amnesty clause
SIR Geoffrey Palmer of New Zealand (ST 3/7) finds it difficult to understand what this Unity Bill is trying to achieve and the measures that will be taken to implement the amnesty provisions.
This Bill is a process which the Government believes will make Fiji a better place.
Sir Geoffrey should know better. He was the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand under the Labour Government in 1986 when the New Zealand Government decided to grant amnesty to overstayers and illegal immigrants.
Can you imagine those illegal immigrants being granted amnesty?
Those of us who were there illegally were lucky enough to have our status changed and become responsible New Zealand residents and citizens.
I want to ask Sir Geoffrey and Jone Dakuvula of the Citizens Constitutional Forum, who was a student at a Wellington University, what the difference is between an illegal immigrant being offered amnesty to live in New Zealand and a person who overthrew an elected government in Fiji applying for amnesty under the Unity Bill?
Their crimes are similar in nature. Again in January 1987 New Zealand offered free visas to Fiji citizens travelling to New Zealand.
Most of these people are still there today and are expressing their disapproval of the amnesty provision in the Bill, something they themselves took advantage of in New Zealand.
Aisake Delai
Nasinu
Clearly Aisake Deali is speaking without a mandate. The same label, he applies to all
opposers to the R.T.U Bill. He is nothing more than a naive and uneducated fool, a yes-man deluxe! Shut up Aisake, you don't speak for all Fijians.
Fijian interest
SO much hue and cry has resulted from the Unity Bill that has been dominating the public debate forum for the past two months.
I support the Bill. There is only one question I would like to pose to those who oppose it, particularly those who argue that the amnesty clause will lead the country to more coups.
Who can give us a guarantee that there will be no more coups in Fiji if the Bill is withdrawn? Bill or no Bill, the Fijian people will never rest until they are guaranteed that the destiny of their native homeland is vested permanently in their hands.
Esira Drakanibici
Labasa
No comments:
Post a Comment