Lobbying the villages.2C provinces.2C chiefs Military opposition to the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill

1 lobbying villages, provinces, chiefs

1.1 reaction bill s endorsement provincial councils
1.2 address great council of chiefs
1.3 bainimarama criticizes chiefs

lobbying villages, provinces, chiefs

on 21 june, bainimarama announced officers spend following 6 weeks visiting villages inform population of military s perception of bill, had translated fijian. announcement met immediate opposition kadavu provincial council, supports legislation. council s youth coordinator, sitiveni qio, said soldiers campaigning against bill not welcome in kadavu.

bainimarama said on 24 august more 400 villages around fiji had informed visiting military teams opposed bill. stressed military not allow more coups take palace in fiji.

reaction bill s endorsement provincial councils

on 26 july, bainimarama declared military continue oppose legislation, despite endorsement councils of fifteen provinces , dependencies. said bill morally, ethically, , legally wrong, , military never support it. provincial council representatives supported bill same people supported george speight in 2000, claimed. addressing more 700 soldiers @ passing out parade, said reconciliation not legislated , succeed if came hearts of responsible crime. passage of unity bill would, predicted, undermine 4 arms of government - police, department of public prosecutions, judiciary, , military, , lead people believe away acts of treason. if so, there no end culture of coups, said. concluded quoting bible 1 reaps 1 sows.

address great council of chiefs

addressing special meeting of great council of chiefs in lami on 28 july, bainimarama said legislation strip military of ability carry out responsibilities in emergency , weaken national security. in 31-page speech took more hour deliver, accused government of harbouring in ranks persons involved in coup-related crimes in 2000. s promoting bill? these people in current government participated in 2000 coup. have been convicted, others facing trial, there still others left whom long arm of law should at.

the commander took pains emphasize, however, military not against government. issue, saw it, rule of law, not government of day. bill legitimise 2000 coup , weaken law , order agencies, said. work of rebuilding fiji today undone. world community see country condones law-breakers, maintained. why should few people freed , not others when serving under same law? asked rhetorically.

his speech, laced quotes bible, urged chiefs right in eyes of god , reject bill. if honourable chiefs agree involved in coup forgiven, prove support wrong , @ odds integrity of god, declared. commander criticized methodist church supporting bill. when wrong god, not let go ... when god s people (jews) wronged him, weakened them in battle , caused them captives in babylon 70 years, stated. considered reconciliation possible after justice had been served.

he reminded chiefs in 2000, had not agreed forgive perpetrators of coup, had insisted justice should take course. urged them stand decision now. commander did not way, however, great council ended endorsing bill, though qualification government should consider objections raised opponents, including military.

bainimarama ended address reminding chiefs in 2000, had not agreed forgive perpetrators of coup, had insisted justice should take course. urged them stand decision now. closed quoting amos 5,24: let justice roll on river, righteousness never-falling stream.

bainimarama criticizes chiefs

on 29 july, bainimarama issued statement critical of chiefs decision support bill. accused them of forgetting decision had made in 2000, justice should take course. sad had forgotten wise decision , have forgotten rest of multi-racial society within live, bainimarama said. reiterated bill legally, morally, , ethically wrong, , condoned unlawful events of 2000. said chiefs decision had alienated large portion of society, , though accepted decision had been taken, military continue oppose legislation. rather air these concerns called in try rebuild society has been devastated civil upheaval see our destiny if continue down path bill, said.

the commander said on 24 august not surprised great council of chiefs , methodist church had both endorsed controversial legislation, senior members of both institutions had supported coup perpetrators in 2000, alleged. assertions supported former prime minister sitiveni rabuka - happens supporter of legislation.