Fiji Election tomorrow.

["Alan Bradley" <abradley1@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>From SBS News (http://www.sbs.com.au/sbsnews_set.html):

SPEIGHT TRIAL ADJOURNED

Fiji goes to the polls tomorrow, 15 months after the government of Mahendra
Chaudhry was overthrown by George Speight. The election campaign has been a
pitched battle between a determined Mr Chaudhry and a host of other
parties - who fear his return may spark more violence. And, even from behind
bars, George Speight is getting into the act.

George Speight, prisoner and election candidate, the alleged leader of last
year`s coup is standing for the Conservative Alliance - a party dedicated to
strengthening indigenous Fijian rights. At his treason trial, due to begin
today, Mr Speight was hoping to be granted bail. Instead he`s back on his
island prison after the judge adjourned the case to February. Election
officials say even if he does win a seat in parliament, he won`t be allowed
out of jail to attend. But Fijians will go to the polls tomorrow with or
without the presence of George Speight. 351 candidates from 18 political
parties are vying for the 71 lower house seats. Politicians and analysts
alike say this is Fiji`s last chance for democracy.

PROFESSOR BRIJ LAL, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY: People want to believe
that the outcome will be accepted, but fear the worst.

Brij Lal, co-author of the country`s constitution, has spent the last few
weeks talking to Fijians. He says there have been some attempts to
intimidate Indo-Fijian farmers into voting for indigenous Fijian parties and
there have been threats of violence from some extremists if deposed PM
Mehendra Chaudhry is returned to power.

MAHENDRA CHAUDHRY, FIJI LABOUR PARTY: Things don`t always go your way, but
that doesn`t mean you tear up the rule book, have a coup, because coups
don`t solve problems - they compound them.

Mahendra Chaudhry is quietly confident of reclaiming the majority 37 seats
his Labor Party lost in the coup. His opponents say his abrasive leadership
style could inspire more violence. This time around Mr Chaudhry is offering
an olive branch.

MAHENDRA CHAUDHRY: We will devote more time to the reconciliation process,
to rebuilding the economy, to allaying the fears and suspicions of the
indigenous community. I think that work will need to be done quite quickly,
and we`ll have to spend more time on that.

But this election appears to be all about personalities, not policies.
Caretaker PM Liasenia Qarase, who formed his own indigenous Fijian party,
says Mr Chaudhry is not the man to bridge the economic gap between the rich
and poor.

LIASENIA QARASE, UNITED FIJI PARTY: Because in the long term, if that gap is
not bridged, then we could expect more troubles in the future. And we`ve had
enough. Nobody wants trouble.

It will be up to the army and the police force to stop any trouble in the
days following tomorrow`s poll. Both institutions, accused of being somewhat
complicit in the events of May last year, have promised to respect the
election results.