"We know why many of these beautiful young ladies are competing for the title of Miss Fiji Canada. We know why there is such a large Fijian community here in Canada. Because many of you were told through words or threats or worse that you were not welcome in Fiji, that you did not belong in Fiji, that you were not Fijian no matter how many generations your family had lived and toiled on Fijian soil. Those days are behind us, thank God. Fiji is poorer for your having left, and Canada is all the richer, rewarded for its generosity, its tolerance and its innate and very refined sense of justice and equality. Fijians have repaid their adopted country with loyalty, energy and accomplishment, as is fitting. This event will surely reveal more than the physical beauty of these young women. It will show how the talent, intelligence and character that turn their fine physical traits into genuine beauty — the divine spark in us that makes us human. We Fijians are united through our homeland and our culture. And we are especially united through our humanity. Fiji will always be your home. Fiji's arms will always be open. And Fiji will always be proud of who you are and what you have created here in Canada."
From Fijileaks Archive:
http://www.fijileaks.com/home/the-devil-in-disguise-its-not-sodelpa-who-have-plans-to-free-2000-coup-maker-george-speight-it-was-bainimarama-who-was-behind-coup
“It is important to note hear that the army’s decisive move to restore law and order was driven more by its determination to purge its own ranks of rebellious elements and their supporters who posed a threat to the commander’s life, than from a desire to restore democracy. Furthermore, having achieved the objectives of the coup and established a government of its choice, it was ready to provide the stability that was a prerequisite for that administration to function effectively.”
Deposed Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry reflecting on the
2 November 2000 mutiny at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks
"We know why there is such a large Fijian community here in Canada. Because many of you were told through words or threats or worse that you were not welcome in Fiji, that you did not belong in Fiji, that you were not Fijian no matter how many generations your family had lived and toiled on Fijian soil. Those days are behind us, thank God."
