Mssr Mahen Chaudary of Fiji Labour Party unleashed a full frontal assault of the R.T.U Bill and the track record of the Qarases' government.
Arriving at a land solution formulae is a complex balancing exercise which needs to be done directly with the landowners. Not by proxy organization like N.L.T.B which have been
giving landowners a dime for every dollar and creating a catalyst political instability in Fiji.
Maybe as the Sun editorial mentions, that history may have a solution to the future.
Unfortunately in Fiji, there is a tendency for ex-politicians to hog the media limelight. Vakatora, a political change-coat re-defines the meaning of that
with his racial induced schemes.
Corporate giants in Fiji, F.N.P.F are in damage -control after details of it's purchase of Fiji Telecom blob A.T.H. The monopolies in Fiji are sure throwing their weight around, not if the unions have the last say.
Stakeholders in Fiji's education system will be having a brain-storming session. I think every organization in Fiji should get
this re-evaluation every 3 years. Only good will come out of it.
Selected letters to Fiji Times Editor.
Leaders not politicians
I HAVE just had the opportunity of spending two weeks travelling through your wonderful island paradise.
The instability of your islands concerns me deeply. I wish to ask all Fijians, especially politicians and chiefs: Why can't Fiji lead the world in coming to grips with this supposed racial conflict, proving that with leadership, common sense and commitment to the future, Fiji's problems can be solved?
The politicians and chiefs must put aside their personal grievances and lead the nation to a peaceful, stable and prosperous future. Please take the time to sit down and talk your problems through. You don't need more chiefs and politicians but more leaders with vision.
JIM FOWLES
Strathalbyn
South Australia
Labour boycott
MAHENDRA Chaudhry said (FT 3/8) the Fiji Labour Party would continue to boycott land and sugar ad hoc committee meetings until the Government shelved that PRTU Bill.
He links the Bill to their boycott at the expense of the poor farmers, some of whom have their leases expired or expiring. This is political grandstanding and irresponsible politicking which is prolonging the suffering and miseries of cane farmers.
The move by the Fiji Cane Growers Council to directly approach landowners to renew leases seems to be the best way to solve the land issue.
Jagannath Sami should be decorated with a civil award and offered a seat in Senate or a ticket to stand for Parliament in the 2006 elections. Fiji needs leaders like him
Gilbert Veisamasama
Nasinu
Grand coalition
THE attempt to form a grand Fijian coalition for the 2006 elections is a seriously-flawed proposition given the pathological development of indigenous political history post-independence.
It seems that out of the scorching coals of despair our 'five-eighth' indigenous politicians have once more resorted to the Fijian supremacy doctrine for solace. When will we get it into our heads that it will not work?
Wasn't the Alliance and, especially the Great Council of Chiefs-backed SVT premised upon this pipe dream � a political party for all Taukei? Why bother having elections when we can remain in power forever and ever with our indigenous political elite at the helm, of course?
What about the so-called cry by ethno-nationalists for Fijian aspiration? What aspect? Land? Traditional fishing rights? Education?
Give us a break and stop this "dog whistling" and racial stereotyping.
We Fijians, including the uneducated, have had enough of these blatant lies, half-truths, myth-making and white-washing. The reality in Fiji today is that many Fijians have accepted and succeeded in adapting to modern life. We are the fourth and fifth generation since Cession who have been exposed to the inherently conflicting character of democracy and capitalism.
Both paradoxically encourage societal competition as a means of achieving political stability and economic prosperity. So stop giving us handouts and make us work for our living like other races by increasing the size of the proverbial economic cake.
A grand coalition is a forlorn attempt at a concept that pits race against race and is certainly hardwired for failure. So please heed the words of Benjamin Franklin: "If rascals knew the advantage of virtue, they would become honest".
Jone Raiova
Lami
Foreign policy
I refer to Minister for Foreign Affairs Kaliopate Tavola's statement (FT 7/8) where he was quoted as saying "the political and social climate has made promoting Fiji to the global community a difficult task. A window with a view of a divided people and divergent political aspirations with grim prospects for unity on a number of national issues is not conductive to all our work".
This statement is a diplomatic indictment of the Government's approach to national issues such as the PRTU Bill, multi-party government and others that have been dictatorial, confrontational and divisive.
I wonder if Mr Tavola had expressed this criticism to his leader, Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase? He needs to say this more and often and emphatically in Cabinet.
No wonder Mr Tavola had great difficulty convincing the high commissioners and ambassadors of the wisdom of pushing the PRTU Bill in a politically and racially divisive manner
Jone Dakuvula
Suva
Church schools
The last thing Fiji will want to experience is Christian churches rioting over Government. I believe the Government is doing well in hiring graduates from Lautoka Teachers College rather than Corpus Christi.
Do you know that Catholic primary schools around Fiji start off their daily subject with a prayer and religion classes? They uphold the Catholic religion and its sacred values.
What is the reason behind preferring LTC graduates over Corpus Christi graduates?
Is it politically-driven or is it an economic decision? Where is the unity among races/religion?
Other countries invest more on education and health to prove they care very much about the well-being of every citizen.
The Ministry of Education in Fiji says it does not have the budget to cater for school teachers. I am sure that the Minister for Education is under enormous pressure on education issues but I hope that we will be not be seeing her any more come the next elections.
If this was a politically driven move, then Fiji will be moving into situations like in Northern Ireland.
Francis Vosanibola
Suva
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