Assertions of Fiji Military regime's popularity are myths

Assertions of the popularity of the Fiji Military regime are a myth, says the Fiji Democracy Movement

The Fiji Democracy Movement is both astonished and disbelieving that any sane person could believe that the current regime enjoys any degree of popularity, let alone that brandished by one Akuila Yabaki and those listening to him, (e.g. none less than Michael Field, for one). Such persons have enthusiastically expounded an alleged 60-65% popularity for the dictator within Fiji. Hence, they say, why the fuss about Fiji?

The Fiji Democracy Movement, which comprises indigenous citizens of Fiji and whose members are very considerably better versed in the actual affairs of Fiji than Michael Field, must inevitably heap scorn upon this ridiculous pronouncement.

The Movement is at a loss to know how under a military dictatorship, under which there is no freedom of speech or assembly or communication (all phones including cellphones being tapped, an army of informants existing, no meetings being allowed, a campaign of torture being maintained for actual or perceived dissidents, to name but a few of the pleasures of life under the regime), any possible reliable gauge of public opinion can be made.

If the answer is given that this is a grass roots enquiry, the Movement is considerably closer to the grass roots than Mr Field or any other regime admirers. Insofar as one man, Akuila Yabaki is concerned, the Movement simply states that his prognosis is hopelessly wrong.

The people of Fiji do not love, admire or respect the current regime. Certainly, those beaten, raped and assaulted by the current regime under its campaign of torture, their relatives and friends have no love for it. Nor does the rest of the population which cowers under the regime, or even those living overseas who do not speak up on account of concern for ill treatment of their relatives and friends in Fiji.

With its draconian ‘PER’ in place the regime is easily able to extort an opinion poll favourable to itself - as it previously did in the passage of its ill conceived ‘Peoples’ Charter’.

Mr Yabaki, Michael Field and the rest of the regime supporters are living in a fantasy world.

If the current regime is so popular and has such a great mandate from the people, let it now send the Army back to barracks, discontinue its campaign of terror, entrust the preparation for and holding of elections to a truly independent party (not an Elections Office controlled by the alleged Attorney General) and stand for election itself in a truly free and fair process. It cannot do this because it has no mandate other than the barrel of the gun.

ENDS

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