Fiji: Speech to a UN women's conference

["Workers World, Chicago Bureau" <wwchi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

http://maorinews.com/karere/fiji/taina.htm

Taina Woodward's speech of June 8 2000

Excerpt:

"While most people were disgusted with the violence, the causes espoused by
the rebels had a considerable amount of mass support, some of which was out
in the open - thousands of people marched - some of which was implicit -
refusal to act against the rebels. Strong feelings of resentment have been
suppressed by Fijians for decades. To this day, the degree of support for
the rebel cause is unknown because no one on the outside really knows what
lies at the bottom of the heart and soul of every Fijian. The police force
was divided on the basic issues as was the army. One can assume that the
whole of the Fijian population is divided or uncertain on the issues
involved. We need time to self-examine, time to discuss, time to let our
traditional leaders know in our traditional way. The answer is not obvious."