Week 12
1. What factor led to Fiji's 2000 coup? Identify the role played by George Speight during the coup?
2000 overthrow
The parliamentary election of 1999 where the people’s coalition the labor party won the elections headed by Chaudhry which angered the i-taukei nationalists. I-taukei nationalists going against the elected government of a Fijian of Indian Descent Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry. Chaudhry’s government had changed in the land reforms which further alarmed the i-taukei nationalists. The cancellation of several contracts of George Speight a businessman, by the Chaudhry government.
George Speight role during the coup
Publically, multi-year old George Speight was the key instigator.
• He was a bombed agent, sacked from administrator of the Fiji Pine Commission and the Hardwood Corporation.
• He was proclaimed bankrupt and was about the face court procedures, when he propelled his attack on parliament.
• Speight had his own private complaints, which he deliberately holed up behind a wildly patriot talk.
• He depicted himself as unwavering worker of the Fijian reason, a blessed rescuer of the Fijian 'race' and Fijian social legend.
• Speight got worldwide media analysis since he appearing as face of indigenous Fijian patriotism was eloquent, connecting with, bantering/prodding/taunting with the global media.
• Young businesspeople additionally upheld him who was troubled in 1990s and needed to take profit by pioneering access to control and making sure about credits.
• Many indigenous Fijian white collar class bolstered Speight's plan.
• Many bolsters were survivors of the auxiliary change approaches of 1990s Rabuka government, where they stayed poor and penniless and others got fruitful.
• Fifteen troopers and two of their officials deserted to the dissidents and George Speight developed a solid private armed force. On June 9, Speight declared that he had nullified Fiji's multi-racial Constitution.
2. What do you understand of the hostage crisis and how it was resolved?
The hostage crisis was held at about 10am on the 19th May 2000, where by seven armed gunmen, led by George Speight stormed the Fiji parliament taking Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and his ill-fated government hostage. The 2000 crisis was resolved when Commodore Frank Bainimarama assumed executive leadership and imposed martial law at 6pm on 29th May. As a result, an immediate curfew was imposed, a new military council was appointed to run the country for up to three years during which a new constitution would be drawn up and elections held under it.
Furthermore, the overthrow of the government saw support for Speight's cause as outbreaks of violence occurred in Suva, Levuka , Naitasiri, Tailevu, Ra, Nadi, Yasawa, Serua, Namosi, and on July 7 an army base on Vanua Levu Island was overrun by his supporters. Fifteen soldiers and two of their officers defected to the rebels and George Speight built up a strong private army. On June 9, Speight announced that he had abolished Fiji's multi-racial constitution. Three days later, Speight's car was sprayed with gunfire, but the army denied that soldiers were involved in an operation to kill him.