Fiji edging closer to drama
“The military is willing to return and complete for this nation the responsibilities we gave this government in 2000 and 2001,” military chief Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said.
This chilling quote was made yesterday as the Island paradise braces itself for a return to the trying days of the George Speight inspired 2000 coup.
Mr Bainimarama’s behaviour has grown erratic in the past month as he has called for Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase’s government to resign. He says the government is trying to free those behind the 2000 coup which overthrew the government of prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry.
“The Qarase government was continuing to adopt racist policies and programmes to justify its existence to the indigenous community”, Mr Bainimarama said. He believes the policies were hurting the populace and were divisive.
“If they lack the moral strength and the courage to continue the good fight, the military is willing to return and complete for this nation the responsibilities we gave this government in 2000 and 2001.”
Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has banned his ministers from commenting, his office issuing a directive ordering his ministers to observe a “dignified silence” on the government’s feud with the military.
“The only minister who may comment on the matter is the minister for home affairs and immigration as the RFMF (Republic of Fiji Military Forces) is part of his portfolio’s responsibilities,” the directive said.
Fiji is due to hold general elections later this year.
Graham Muldoon
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025