Click
here to download the video interview made on the fifth annniversary of the 2006 Coup. Following general comments by the interviewer of no special interest to Fiji, John, who some have dubbed the key figure in the People's Charter process, recalls the whats. whens and hows of the Charter, and in the second half of the video, what could still go wrong unless government opens up dialogue.
2 comments:
It does not bear contemplation, what might STILL go wrong if open dialogue does not ensue! The templates are ten a penny especially now. Take your pick. But after forty years since 10 October 1970, it is highly likely that the necessary ability to confront the arguments is rapidly undergoing atrophy. "Testarudo" - leads on to 'Democradura" - a regressive and under-evolved form of democracy which is scarcely beneficent. It litters the South American continent and is liable to re-emerge unexpectedly like a morbid relapsing fever with no known cure.
We can hear a sense of sadness and disappointment in John in this interview. One can understand thisafter his sterling efforts to resurrect Fiji into a modern State for all, only to see his Charter being used as facade of decency to hide behind, and behind it to revert to abuse of power, greed,corruption and plunder even surpassing the deeds of of old. When Frank met John first to genuinely ask for advice and assistance to build a "Better Fiji, apparently his first remarks to Frank was, "But you don't have the mandate to Change". His advice was that mandate can only come from the People. While Frank was never going to return to the much abused Parliaments of old to consult, his advice was to call together an Assembly of the People represented through their political leaders, leaders from the communities, members of his Government who would implement change and the inevitably the military to discuss what was wrong in Fiji, to recognise its festering problems not addressed by previous Governments nor the international community and finally to come up with possible solutions: a consensus and peace building initiative. All were invited but some chose to sulk and to take their bat and ball and go home to cry over spilt milk for the return of their privilege to plunder the country yet again, to use race and hate as a football for power and privilege in a predominantly Christian country. The consultation process continued with some chairs left vacant for the detractors to join anytime they were ready. But the detractors instead hoped for mutiny, insurrection and chaos to redeem them rather than choose dialogue and nation building. The international community, albeit an invitation to support the process, also chose to miss the opportunity for dialogue to effect much change by instead proclaiming "values" from the roof tops in a Fiji where there were no such "values". Out of the nation-wide consultation, the best one possible in the circunstances, emerged the State of the Nation Report and the Charter. These two should be read together. John had completed his mission and left it to the Government of the Day to implement as he was not a part of the Government or the coup, only to see the process of consultation with the people and ownership of change by the people being replaced vry quickly by thuggery and concentration of power. It appears John still beleives that FB had a vision but that he has been deliberatly hijacked by the wily into a dictatorship. He still believes that Frank can get back on track and wants to get back on track to achieve good but this will only happen if he can choose better and listen to good advice from good people. So many opportunities lost, no wonder John is dismayed. Good will prevail. God Bless Fiji and May more John's prevail. May Frank's vision for a "Better Fiji" resurrect. Let us all pray during this Holy Season for such a resurrection
Post a Comment