SUVA (The Fiji Times/PINA) — An emotional President Josefa Iloilo begged Fiji’s leaders to put aside their differences and unite the people.
Iloilo said the process would demand perseverance and patience but was the only way forward.
In his address to the indigenous Fijian Great Council of Chiefs meeting here, the president reminded the leaders that the foundation for the governance of Fiji, as endorsed by the chiefs 30 years ago, would always be multi-racialism.
He said this would always be embraced by the council, no matter the circumstances, to create a society where there was peace and harmony among races.
He said the events of the May 2000 coup crisis had divided the people and turned the economy upside down.
However, Iloilo said it was a lesson for all and now Fiji’s leaders must vigorously pursue the process of rehabilitation and reconciliation.
“It is imperative that we learn the lessons of the past and not allow the politics of race and dissension get the better of us,’’ he said.
“We should instead take the alternative route in endeavoring to forge ahead as one people, one nation, one destiny. The onus is therefore on all leaders of this country to continue to bridge the gulf, open the way to greater understanding that will transcend the racial divides and to rededicate our commitment to serving the people of Fiji,” Iloilo said.
“The task ahead will not be without its problems for there will be strain, sacrifices and frictions and competing demands. But I am convinced that for all of us in Fiji, unity for all our communities is the only option to the way forward,” he added,
In an editorial, the Fiji Times said: “The president’s plea for reconciliation will reverberate throughout the land today. Most Fiji islanders will support the impassioned plea by a man who wants us all to share the benefits of what could and should be an exciting future.
“We are still, however, dragged down by the past, in particular the events of 1987 and 2000 which had the opposite effect to that intended in that they split the ethnic Fijian community. A few Fijians benefited from 1987 and only a few more benefited from 2000.
“In the meantime, the handout mentality is encouraged and the racial division within the nation widened. Few if any in these islands would deny that the involvement of the indigenous inhabitants in business and commerce needs to be promoted and greatly expanded.
