Monday, October 30, 2006

Trouble in paradise

It looks like there are at it again in Fiji - the military that is. Seems once again that they are dissatisfied with the performance of the current political leadership and fancy they can do better.

These coups are a regular occurrence in this small pacific nation. Living in the UK you’d be aware of them but it would unlikely made headline news. It’s different here in NZ because Fiji is a neighbouring state, not to mention the playground for kiwis who can afford to holiday there.

PM Helen Clarke has been sticking her beak in where it’s not been wanted on the Fiji situation and told forcefully to get back in her box and mind her own business. This is probably also the regular pattern of diplomacy on such matters, who knows.

What I do know is that Fijians need another coup like a whole in the head. Just as they get back on their feet from the last one and create some economic momentum, build up their tourist industry, they Government and military seem to do all that they can to demolish this and set them back to life of relatively poverty and instability.

Will they ever learn the damage it is doing to the lives of everyday Fijians? Probably not, and I suspect that in the games of power and authority it’s the last thing on their mind. Shame really, it is a beautiful part of the world that given a chance to really thrive.

No comments: