Fiji chief seeks reconciliation over 2006 coup
Sunday August 26, 2007

Naitasiri high chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata is seeking reconciliation with the military-backed regime after serving 31 months in prison for inciting mutiny against the army commander in 2000.

In a full page newspaper advertisement today, Ratu Inoke has extended an open invitation "to all involved in the overthrow of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua-led government on December 5, 2006 to participate in a National Reconciliation".

The former Senator, who is a co-founder of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL), was released by the Fiji Court of Appeal on June 25 and is awaiting a retrial.

He explains that he has resorted to the open letter because since his release, his attempts to engage with the interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and the regime have failed.

He said that reconciliation would ensure:

"-amnesty and immunity from prosecution to everyone involved in the December 5 coup,

- normalization of all constitutional offices including the President, Great Council of Chiefs, Public Services Commission etc,

- Free and fair elections are held no later than December 2008,

- Demilitarization of Government,

- Addressing Fiji's coup."

Ratu Inoke said that he is making the plea because "our beloved nation is undoing unprecedented and unwarranted suffering, hardship, widening racial divisions and economic ruin".

"Nothing that this regime undertakes will ever be legal and the regime cannot force its will upon the people.

"The nation appreciates some of the noble objectives that the regime has set out to achieve but the methods used are not legal and acceptable. These objectives should be a priority of a newly elected government."

Ratu Inoke adds that amnesty and immunity can only be guaranteed by the people of Fiji and has asked the regime to take advantage of the opportunity to bring peace, harmony and prosperity to the country.

"Our country and future generations deserve this," he said.

Ratu Inoke brokered the release of interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and members of his People's Coalition Government who were held hostage in Parliament during George Speight's coup in 2000.

He was later found guilty of inciting the mutiny against Commodore Bainimarama in November 2, 2000 and consequently jailed for life.

Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office Pramesh Chand confirms that the State will issue its response to Ratu Inoke's letter tomorrow.