Senator offers ultimatum on reconciliation

[posted 21 October 2004, 11:00]

Speaking on an issue not tabled for discussion, Government Senator, Mitieli Bulanuaca, said that those unwilling to take part in reconciliation efforts should leave the country.

Interrupting the debate on the the $39m government appropriation bill, Senator Bulanuaca chastised the gathered audience of senators referencing the Government's high ground: the week-long farcical display that was offered to the public under the guise of 'reconciliation'.

Senator Bulanuaca went on to say that the reconciliation efforts were guided by Christian principles.  Apparently, his remarks in Parliament yesterday were guided by those same Christian principles.  Is it arrogance of the sort that demonstrated by the Senator that led such a large portion of the community to see through the government's call for 'reconciliation'?  

Only in Fiji could those seeking forgiveness put so many stipulations on how they are to be forgiven.  

Threats and ultimatums such as these prove how the government's efforts were and remain significantly short of the honesty that is required to heal the wounds that this country suffered in May 2000.

The senators remarks come two weeks after the government spent a reported $700,000 for a week's worth of events in several parts of the country.