Dr Keith Suter of Macquarie University, billed as an authority on military governments, believes that the detention of Reverend Lasaro is a sign that the Fijian military regime is panicking.
He may well be correct but he seems ill-informed on the Methodist church and the Rev. Lasaro. Here are two extracts, followed by my comments, from his 15th May ABC interview:
Suter: "This [Lasaro's detention] is a very significant development because not only have they taken on a religious figure, but he is actually one of the most important religious figures in Fiji ... the Commodore is concerned that he's not enjoying the support of the [Methodist] religious leadership ..."
Walsh: It is important not to tar all the Methodist hierarchy with the same brush. Some, like Lasaro, supported the 1987 and 2000 coups, led by extreme Fijian and religious nationalists.These people opposed the 2006 military takeover that called for the equality of all races. Lasaro is an "important figure" but I doubt he has much support among moderate Methodists, and he was unsuccessful in his bid for President last year. Overseas Methodists would have difficulty reconciling the Methodist beliefs they know with the practices of Lasaro and his like.
A more "significant development" is the report that Lasaro was planning an anti-Government protest march, during a national state of emergency. Government also fears he may try to use the church's annual conference for political ends (see below).
Suter: "And in previous difficulties we've [sic!] had, the religious leaders have not been arrested in this way. So it does represent a new chapter in church-state relations in Fijian politics."
Walsh: There was no need to arrest them. They were prominent supporters, and it is highly likely Lasaro was directly involved in the planning of the 2000 coup.
The Methodist Annual Conference
The conference, from 18-29 August, will be attended by up to 10,000 people from all over Fiji. The venue, at Lomanikoro in Rewa province, could not be worse placed from Government's viewpoint. It lies at the heart of the Burebasaga confederacy headed by Ro Teimumu Kepa, a prominent member of the Great Council of Chiefs, former Minister of Education in the Qarase Government, chairperson of the Rewa Provincial Council, and a fierce opponent of Government. The combination of Lasaro and Ro Teimumu at a Conference of 10,000 -- and its proximity to Suva -- could provoke major political unrest. I would not be surprised if Government calls for its indefinite adjournment.
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