Fijians should come out of their shell

Fiji's Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama said the Methodist Church leadership in Fiji has been sowing the seeds of racial hatred in the country since they backed Rabuka's coup in 1987.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Bainimarama said the Methodist leadership was part of a traditional conspiracy of power against the ordinary Fijians and the chiefs, the politicians and the church talatalas keep the ordinary Fijians suppressed so that they can take advantage of them.

Bainimarama also said its very easy to tell the people in the villages who go to church every Sunday, and the first thing they are taught there is love. However he said if you do not love your neighbour, then what is the use.

The Interim Prime Minister also throws up his hands at the idea that Fijians need generations of protection. Bainimarama goes on to say that the chiefs and talatalas want the ordinary Fijians to remain in the shell, because they can take advantage of that. He said Fijians should come out of the shell and think for themselves, and do things that are right. Bainimarama said Fijians need to recognise that another race is in Fiji and that's the only way forward.

The Methodist Church is expected to comment in the next hour.