Coups are NEVER about the National Interest

Wonderful utterances from that wonderful lady Ema Tagicakibau.

‘Coups never about the national interest’
14-Mar-2009 FIJI DAILY POST

THE Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (PCRC) says coups are never about the national interest criticising interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama that his actions in December 2006 were for the common good.

“Those who resort to force and intimidation to bring about what they claim is for the greater food of society, are often driven by selfish motives and interests, never about national interest,” PCRC campaigner Ema Tagicakibau said in a statement yesterday.

Tagicakibau has also voiced concern over the impact of seeing a military coup will have on the younger generations.

“While we teach our children the value of hard work and upholding the rule of law, the message from coups is that one can easily overthrow an elected government by power of the gun, take over top civilian jobs with no sweat, and get away with immunity,” she said. The PCRC has also voiced disapproval of the military regime, voicing the concern that this “contravenes the very principle” of sovereignty and giving authority to government.

The PCRC also challenged Bainimarama to subscribe to the principles of the Commonwealth both “in words and in deeds”.

Tagicakibau said over the last two years the regime has “constantly reneged on its promises” to “the people of Fiji and the international community.”

She added; “an election for Fiji represents the most orderly and legitimate way for the regime to give power back to the people.”

“Electoral reforms must remain within the provisions of the 1997 constitution,” Tagicakibau said.