Racial differences must go out - Commander

The Prime Minister and Army Commander has told members of the RFMF that racial differences in the country must go out.

While speaking to about 1,200 soldiers at Queen Elizabeth Barracks during the RFMF’s Christmas Church Service, Commodore Bainimarama told the soldiers not to forget the racial differences in 2000, which was one of the darkest times in Fiji.

Commodore Bainimarama said that is why the military had to take over the government and make changes.

He told young soldiers and new recruits that they did not experience the difficult times they faced in 2000 when some soldiers were shot at QEB.

He said some former politicians and chiefs who were members of the Great Council of Chiefs used their chiefly status to call meetings and speak on racial differences.

Commodore Bainimarama said at one time the chiefs and former politicians met in Parliament and they were praising each other.

He said the chiefs mixed their positions with politics and that is why the Great Council of Chiefs was abolished.

Commodore Bainimarama stressed today that the GCC is not coming back although some politicians are still saying it should come back.

He told the soldiers not to be swayed easily by the former army officers who have resigned and are talking from outside opposing the military.

The Army Commander said the soldiers should be strong and stay focused in the upcoming elections.
 
Commodore Bainimarama then sent out a clear message to the soldiers that if they do not like what the military is doing then there are two gates at the camp and they can walk out.  

He also told them that when they first joined the Army, a tabua was not presented to them to work in the RFMF as they wanted the job.

Commodore Bainimarama also called on all the members of the RFMF to get a copy of the 2013 constitution and read it as it is written not only in English but in vernacular.

He highlighted that as Fiji is preparing for the 2014 General Elections, one very important non-negotiable in the Constitution is that racial differences must be abolished.

The soldiers had the church service and they then had morning tea.

Members of the RFMF have a Christmas Dinner tonight.


Story by: Vijay Narayan & Tokasa Rainima