Fiji (to Lou Paulsen)

[Philip Ferguson <plf13@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Lou Paulsen wrote:

>But if leftists in the region condemn indigenous nationalism as inherently
>reactionary, and dismiss indigenous Fijians as being a 'reactionary nation',
>then what will they turn to by way of an ideology for defending themselves?
>Religion of some kind?

Melanesian-Fijians are not a nation.  They are part of n emergent Fijian
nation, which *includes* Indo-Fijians.

Unfortunately, the kind of politics Lou seems to be lining up with in Fiji
are *retarding* the development of this nation and the equal treatment of
people within it.



>But in that event the blame shouldn't be put on them
>if they decide, from the examples being shown to them - and I'm thinking of
>the leftists in our imperialist powers here, not of the FLP - that Marxists
>are a two-faced lot of Eurocentrists who hate indigenes more than they hate
>imperialism.


Those of us who oppose the Speight coup and indigenous politics in Fiji -
which includes most of the left in the region and most Pacifc Island
radical nationalist forces - have never said or done anything which
indicates any hatred of Melanesian-Fijians.  In arguing for a break from
communalist politics in Fiji - politics which were begun by, and are the
*result of, imperialist domination* - we are doing more to support the
emancipation of all the oppressed and exploited in Fiji than Lou, who seems
to have a great many illusions about businessman Speight.

On NZ TV last night there was an item about Melanesian-Fijians forming
village guards to protect themselves, and local Indo-Fijians, from
Speight's gangs.  Speight is the far right in Fiji, not a representative of
anti-imperialism.


>I don't say this would be a correct conclusion, but I say it
>will be the inevitable conclusion if the only Marxists they see are those
>people lined up with John Howard and Jacques Chirac to say that 'you had
>better appoint the man we say should be your Prime Minister, or we will
>suspend the LomÈ accord as it applies to your sugar purchases and you will
>all go hungry.'


Actually, it ius precisely because the left in the South Pacific support
the right of the Fijians to choose their own leaders that we oppose Speight
and the coups of 1987 and 2000.  The Fijians elected Chaudry's government,
not Speight.   Lou, you seem unaware of the irony in your sentence above!
It is those Marxists who are soft on Speight and his right-wing coup who
are trying to force upon Fiji someone the Fijians did not choose.  It seems
odd that you have such an aversion to the government democratically elected
by the Fijians and such a soft spot for the right-wing businessman who
overthrew it.

I think you need to rethink your position on Fiji.

Cheers,
Phil