In March 1980, when news that Chilean president, general Augusto Pinochet was going to visit Fiji, opposition to that historic visit mounted.
Church leaders visited the governor-general, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, to try and lobby against the proposed trip.
On the same day, the Fiji Council of Churches put out a paid full page statement in this newspaper urging all Christian churches to make Sunday, March 23, the second day of Pinochet’s three-day visit, a “special day of prayer” for those suffering gross human rights violations in Chile and throughout the world.
That statement backed up a similar call made by the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) two weeks earlier to boycott any function connected with Pinochet’s visit.
For the benefit of those who do not know about Pinochet, the online encyclopedia Britannica says he was the leader of a military junta that overthrew the socialist government of president Salvador Allende of Chile on September 11, 1973.
After the overthrow Pinochet became the head of Chile’s military government and ruled from 1974 to 1990. During his dictatorial reign tens of thousands of opponents of his regime were tortured.
He was never tried for his human rights abuses, including the disappearance and execution of at least 119 political dissidents whose bodies were found in 1975 in Argentina.
Pinochet, his wife and a group of officials, including two generals, a lieutenant-general, a rear-admiral, two lieutenant colonels, two colonels, an Air Force group commander and a naval commander, were supposed to stay at Government House but were later billeted at Borron House.
Trade unions and civil society organisations joined in protesting against Pinochet’s two-day visit to Fiji, from where he was to have flown to the Philippines for a meet up with dictator and kleptocrat, Ferdinand Marcos.
Writers condemned Pinochet in the ‘Letters to the Editor’ pages of this newspaper.
It was evident that citizens did not welcome Pinochet for his history of corruption and human rights abuses. Due to the overwhelming opposition to his two-day stop in Fiji,
Pinochet later cut short his stay. And following a hostile reception at Nadi Airport, where about 1500 protestors had gathered, Pinochet and his entourage returned from their hotel to the presidential jet only 11 hours after they had landed.
According to The Fiji Times of Monday, March 24, 1980, angry demonstrators pelted eggs and cow dung at the black government Mercedes vehicle carrying Pinochet and Lucia, his wife.
He ducked as the eggs rained on his side of the car while police motorbike riders forced back demonstrators only metres away. Earlier, demonstrators took up the chant: “Chile yes, Pinochet no!” and displayed placards and banners criticising the regime.
Pinochet never visited Suva and never got to the Philippines. The cancellation was a blow to the Chilean who had hoped to improve international relations clouded by the human rights condemnation launched against him.
That was 43 years ago but it goes to show how strong lobbying and public campaigns against human rights abuses could force change.
Recently, the media was flooded with concerns over the stand taken by the Fiji Government on the United Nations resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas.
The overwhelming thinking right now is that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka had erred by not supporting something that would help restore some semblance of peace in Gaza and allow humanitarian supplies to reach the people, especially the innocent, the women and children.
The mood in Fiji reflects the overriding belief among members of the United Nations General Assembly who voted overwhelmingly in favour of an immediate humanitarian truce.
While Israel has termed the call for a truce “infamy” the majority believe there needs to be an end to the “senseless war” and ‘senseless killing’ in Gaza which nears the end of its third week, following an assault by Hamas on southern Israel, killing more than 1,400 people.
While we shouldn’t support terrorism and rebellious uprisings, we must also back any effort to bring peace and end violence and bloodshed.
According to some estimates, per capita since 1970, Fiji contributed more personnel to UN peacekeeping missions than any other state and today Fijian peacekeepers are renowned for their high-level of professionalism and dedication wherever in the world they are sent to serve in.
In a gathering in September 2018 called High Level Meeting on Action for Peacekeeping, former PM Frank Bainimarama outlined in a speech the reason behind Fiji’s commitment to UN peacekeeping saying Fijians were blessed to enjoy peace, security, and prosperity that many millions of global citizens cannot.
“Because we believe the right of peace should be enjoyed by all of humanity. Our pride and appreciation for our peacekeepers is very much a part of how every Fijian sees our nation in the world,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“While we may be a small country, we’ve shown ourselves more than willing to do our part to protect the innocent, shield the vulnerable and uphold the basic human rights of all people.”
But Fiji Government’s recent decision to vote against a truce at the UNGA seems to go against the good reputation we’ve had and built through decades of peacekeeping in war-torn countries of the world.
It goes against the religious values of love, compassion and peace that we often claim we live by.
And it certainly goes against the fundamentals that underlie Mr Rabuka’s ambitious vision of a Zone or Ocean of Peace.
During a speech Mr Rabuka gave in October at a Lowy Institute function held at old Parliament House in Canberra the PM said the “Zone” or “Ocean of Peace” concept would involve major powers and Pacific island nations agreeing to “(refrain) from actions that may jeopardise regional order and stability” as well as “maintaining respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Yet, the position he took unilaterally on the Gaza issue, showed no real connection to his vision of a peaceful and stable Pacific region.
But then again, the PM’s decision may not have been a morally sound one but a strategic political decision sound for Fiji.
Concerns have now been raised by the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Major General Jone Kalouniwai who expressed deep concerns over the nonconsultative approach taken by the Government of Fiji on the UN resolution.
Only time will tell how Fiji’s decision and the public murmurings around it will unfold. Until we meet on this same page same time next week I would like to share with you the words in Mathew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Stay blessed, stay heathy and stay safe.
