wfn.org | Methodists in Fiji condemn coup, hostage-taking

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

June 23, 2000 News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
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By United Methodist News Service

Methodist leaders have been actively trying to resolve Fiji's hostage
crisis, which appeared to be nearing an end on June 23.

In a statement publicly released on June 15, the Methodist Church in Fiji
explained why it supported the military government and condemned what it
considered the "terrorist-type" activity of the George Speight Group.
Speight, a civilian, attempted a political coup with a small group of
soldiers, and they have been holding 31 political hostages in the nation's
parliament in Suva since May 19.

CNN reported on June 23 that military rulers of the Pacific island group and
the Speight group had reached an agreement that could lead to the release of
the hostages, including Prime Minister Mahendra Chaundhry. Military leaders
assumed government control in the days following Speight's action. The
agreement is expected to be signed June 24.

Speight, an indigenous Fijian, has said he was reacting against domination
by the minority Indian population, which makes up 44 percent of the nation's
estimated 813,000 population. Chaundhry was the first ethnic Indian prime
minister.

Methodists in Fiji issued the statement to explain to the church's 250,000
members and the public why they had chosen to side with the interim military
government.

While the church has prayed on behalf of the George Speight Group and
maintains contact "in matters relating to ongoing pastoral care and
counseling," it said it does not support "any terrorist-type activity," such
as holding hostages at gunpoint.

A delegation of the standing committee of the Methodist Church in Fiji
visited Speight and his comrades on June 2 and 9, "pleading with them to
release the hostages at once, return all the arms and ammunition to the
Army, take up the amnesty offer and join in the civil dialogue for reshaping
our united destiny."

The church is supporting the interim military government because of "the
urgent need to restore law and order since the violent and destructive
events of, and since, May 19." The statement mentioned several examples of
violence by mobs and "armed thugs," and added that the George Speight Group
is not capable of controlling the violence and criminal activities.

"The church invariably believes that the Republic of Fiji military forces is
the only legitimate institution capable of restoring law and order under the
prevailing circumstances," the statement said.

Methodists asked the interim military government to restore peace, order and
good government, protect life and property, restore normalcy and bring a
quick return to democratic rule.

The church statement noted that the goals of Speight's group include
removing the president, making a new Constitution guaranteeing indigenous
rule and being granted amnesty. The Methodists believe the interim
government has assured that the goals will be met.

Other churches in Fiji, including the Seventh-day Adventists and a group of
12 evangelical, Pentecostal and charismatic churches, placed newspaper
advertisements speaking against the civilian coup. The World Council of
Churches also made public a pastoral letter, strongly condemning the armed
intervention and supporting "the commitment of the churches in Fiji to
maintain an egalitarian and tolerant society."

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United Methodist News Service
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