Michael Field in Suva

So where are the peace-loving people of Fiji, defending their democratically elected government?

Six years ago thousands came out to support traitor George Speight; today almost no one is openly defending the government elected by 80 percent of indigenous voters back in May.

This is a very different coup to the May 19, 2000, coup which overwhelmed the government of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

Instead this is a coup staged with overwhelming force by the Fiji military, dressed up like Imperial Roman Legionnaires in tight American style helmets and flak jackets. They didn’t have those six years back. And the kevlar jackets are a mystery – no one is shooting at them.

Strangely even the soldiers are less of a threat than they appear; none of the weapons have magazines on them and the soldiers pouches are empty. They could be toy soldiers, although, to paraphrase Dirty Harry, it’s a case of feeling lucky or not.

They have one curious advantage; soldiers find they can hide their faces from the media by lowering their heads. It is happening a lot because most here know that hundreds of criminal and military connections that followed the Speight coup came with media evidence.

During the 56 days that Speight held the government hostage, Suva was a nervous town that emptied out on rumours. Dozens of New Zealand reporters suddenly fled the city, for example, on rumours they were to be attacked. This time Suva is trading normally – albeit with storm shutters up. Memories of the looting and riots of 2000 linger.

Early yesterday morning, for example, a big squad of soldiers suddenly appeared on the grounds of the Government Buildings, opposite the main business hotel, the Holiday Inn. In 2000 that would have sent people running; this time it was as if it was passing shower … something to be endured.

Suva shops remained open all day.

When Speight and the special forces soldiers seized Parliament they quickly allowed hundreds of indigenous Fijians into the compound. They quickly established camps and trashed most of the buildings but their most effective contribution to the Speight gang was as human shields.

Countless times both the police and the military in 2000 said they were unable to free the hostages because of the presence of so many “innocent” people in the compound.

This time the new scene is Richards Road in Suva’s exclusive Domain area, home to Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

He was inside, with his cabinet and assorted church ministers and party members, guarded by unarmed police and bodyguards. When the green clad army arrived in its menacing fashion it was the police and bodyguards who formed a thin line behind a steel gate.

Absent were any Fijians, of any race. Only media, both international and local.

It’s hard to believe so many people voted for him six months back and now have abandoned him.

Twice during the day the military pushed everybody out of Richards Road. The first time it was done aggressively with barking and pushing.

The second time they negotiated, although with their weapons on hand.

The only local to stand up to them was academic Sadana Sen.

“Why do I have to move,” she said to the soldiers.

A group descended on her, but she stood her ground.

“This is my country and I walk in this street every day, you are just bullies.”

One of the rare Indo-Fijian soldiers replied: “move on beni (sister).”

“I am not your beni, just because you are Indo-Fijian you think you can push me.”

Of course it was to no avail, the soldiers won the afternoon.

It just left you wondering how different the day had been if the people have Fiji had decided democracy was worth defending and filling a street that even 20 aggressive soldiers could not have moved.

Copyright: Michael Field