Taukei Terror Stalls Talks

Fiji

Arson attacks and a vicious bashing put peace talks at risk

LIFE IN FUI alternates between hope and despair. Just when peace talks aimed at resolving the deep politi cal crisis looked set to put the nation on the path to normalcy, a vicious assault and a series of arson attacks on Indian-owned shops has once more put a resolution in jeopardy.

The peace talks at Government House between representatives of the deposed Bavadra Government and the Opposition Alliance Party are being held under the chairmanship of the Governor General Ralu Sir Penaia Ganilau.

The two sides were brought together at the initiative of the Governor General who heads the interim administration in a bid to explore the possibility of forming a “caretaker” government or “government of national unity” to assume office until Fiji is again ready to go to the polls under a revised constitution.

The first round of talks on Friday Sep tember 4 began on a positive note when both sides displayed goodwill and a deter mination to continue dialogue. The at mosphere at the meeting was friendly.

During the tea break Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, who led the Alliance delega tion,and Dr Bavadra, who headed the Co alition team, chatted informally. Others in the Alliance delegation were Mr Tomasi Vakatora, Mr Apisai Tora, Mr Filipe Bole, Mr David Pickering and Dr Ahmed Ali.

Besides Dr Bavadra the Coalition delega tion consisted of Mr Jai Ram Reddy, Mr Joeli Kalou, Mr Mahendra Chawdhary, Mr Etuate Tavai and Dr Balwant Singh Rakka.

However, as the political leaders met at Government House, just three kilometres away at the Government Buildings 12 Taukei supporters, who are demanding radical changes to Fiji’s Constitution to ensure indigenous Fijian supremacy, had gathered to protest against the Coalition and the judges. They were armed with war clubs and spears and dressed as warriors with warpaint on their bodies. They had dug a “lovo” or earth oven and had logs burning. The warriors chanted and per formed war dances around the pit. The Taukei supporters said they were protest ing against the Coalition and wanted Dr Bavadra to drop his court action in which he is challenging the Governor General’s decision to dissolve Parliament. They saw the court action as an insult to Ratu Sir Penaia, a traditional high chief.

“We just want to show the judges and Dr Bavadra that this lovo is going to the ultimate end,” a Taukei spokesman told newsmen.

The Taukei supporters had gathered at Government Build ings on September 4 from early morning and by midday the lovo fire was well lit and had attracted 100 onlookers and sympathisers.

At about 2pm Mr Richard Naidu, spokesman for Dr Ba vadra, arrived on the scene. Mr Naidu had parked his car and be

fore entering the Travelodge hotel on the other side of the street decided to take a look at the demonstrators. Mr Naidu was spotted by the warriors and was chased across the road into the hotel’s lounge where he was attacked with war clubs and spears and bashed as horrified hotel guests looked on. He was spared more punishment by the intervention of the hotel’s assistant manager. Mr Naidu received treatment for injuries to his head, arm and shoulder. He had a black eye and multiple bruises. The incident sent shock waves around the country and drew condemnadon from many quarters. The Fiji Times said the incident was “a graphic demonstration that life and property are not in fact secure” in Fiji. The paper said the demonstration by extremists and the brutal attack on Mr Naidu “were horrifying illustrations of how close Fiji is to the rule of the club and of the mob”.

What surprised many was that the army and the police did not prevent the viol ence. The same evening soldiers fired shots in the air near the home of Dr Bavadra.

The army claimed it was looking for sup porters of Dr Bavadra who had earlier in the day attacked members of a musical band, Rootstrata, who were said to be among those who had assaulted Mr Naidu.

An outraged Dr Bavadra said the viol ence had “completely dashed any hope” of continuing the dialogue with the Alliance Party. He said the Coalition was not pre pared to negotiate under duress. The Co alition called for assurances from the Governor General guaranteeing the se curity of its leaders and the people of Fiji, A motion was passed advising the Coali tion team to keep away from the talks. The Governor General assured the Coalition of improved security arrangements and urged them to attend the talks but the Co

Matthew Mck Ee

Above: Taukei warriors" before "the Naidu assault. Right: Dr Ba vadra and Richard Naidu.

alition team stayed away from the second round of talks, claiming the assurance did not go far enough and also that no action had been taken against those who were re sponsible for attacking Mr Naidu.

The Tuesday September 8 meeting was attended only by the Alliance delegation.

Afterwards the Governor General gave notice that he would consider forming a caretaker government of his own choice if the talks between the Coalition and the Al liance could not proceed.

The Governor General then reassured the coalition that the police would provide security to their team and invited the party to the third round of talks at Government house on Friday. Fie said the police were investigating the Naidu case and due process of the law would be followed. A committee meeting of the Coalition then decided to return to the talks. They met with the Alliance delegation in what was described as a “cordial atmosphere”.

The decision by the Coalition to return to the peace talks was also influenced by

the fact that had they stayed away they would have played into the hands of extre mist Fijians backing the demands of Tau kei. If they are not present they cannot argue their case. The Taukei movement is bent on disrupting the talks, according to some observers, so it can push its demands.

While the talks are confined to the Al liance and the Coalition, Taukei has ac cused the Coalition of putting “unreasonable and unrealistic” pre-con ditions at the talks. A spokesman for Tau kei claimed the coalition demands were retention of the present constitution; res toration for the deposed Bavadra govern ment; the return of all soldiers to barracks.

Taukei said these demands showed “lack of respect for the expressed wishes of the great council of chiefs and the Fijian people”. Taukei said the restoration of the Indian-dominated Bavadra Government would never be accepted by the Chiefs and the Fijians.

Mr Richard Naidu said the Taukei

comments were irrelevant and expressed surprise about the movement’s knowledge of the Coalition’s alleged demands as is sues discussed at the talks were confidential.

Two of the Alliance delegation mem bers at the talks, Mr Apisai Tor and Mr Fi lipe Bole, are known supporters of the Taukei movement, however the Alliance leader and former Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara has spoken against the extremist demands of Taukei. Once more, it seemed there was cause for optimism generated by the restored cordial nature of talks between the two parties. But this was shattered when arsonists set fire to half a dozen Indian-owned shops in downtown Suva on the night of September 13 and a chemical plant was gutted two days later.

Fireman were able to contain many of the blazes but most shops lost their stock. A small fire was also reported at the build ing which houses the offices of the Fiji La bour Party. At time of going to press, the looting and arson was continuing. □