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Deposed prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry has said Fiji, battered by three coups, has a chance to redeem and rebuild itself in next month's general election.
Chaudhry said respecting the results of the elections and making a smooth transition back towards democracy was the first step towards rehabilitation.
His call came after his Labour Party's conference that urged the military, political parties and leaders, religious organisations and civil servants to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner, without intimidation or the divisive politics of hate, racism and bigotry.
The conference in its communiqué called upon the entire Fiji community to honour and respect the outcome of the elections. Failure to do so "will result in further isolation from the international community, irreparable destruction of the economy, and deep suffering of our people, particularly the disadvantaged, the poor and the unemployed".
Chaudhry blamed the May 2000 coup, in which rebel leader Gorge Speight ousted his government, on corrupt and negative elements in the society.
He said such people should be removed before the task of rebuilding can begin. "Race is not the answer to Fiji's problems," he told hundreds of Labour supporters in Tavua in western Fiji on Sunday.
"The answer is in tackling the forces of destabilisation, the entrenched power groups that thrive by keeping the ordinary people suppressed, be they Fijians, Indians or any other group."
He also called for a quick judgement on the treason trial involving Speight and 12 co-accused. "Before the task of rebuilding can begin, we must get to the crux of what happened and bring to justice those responsible for the devastation."
Chaudhry said the delay was bringing into question the effectiveness and integrity of Fiji's judiciary. "If the rule of law is not upheld, the country would end up like Indonesia, where corrupt politicians, businessmen and the army hold the country to ransom," he warned.
Indo-Asian News Service
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