Govt To Send Two Officials For Helping Fijian Indians

Walking the thin line between intervention in the affairs of a sovereign nation and the political compulsion of protecting the rights of persons of Indian origin, India yesterday decided to send two senior bureaucrats to Fiji, to ensure the economic and other interests of Fijian Indians who have been continued to be unharmed.

About 4,00,000 Fijians of Indian origin are the targets of what India considers is a racist attack on an island where Indians dominate commerce and politics. An exodus of Indians from Fiji could badly damage that country's economy, something both Australia and New Zealand, the powers in the region, are concerned about. Consultations with them are continuing.

 

Foreign minister Jaswant Singh announced that Indian High Commissioner in Australia, C P Ravindranathan and secretary in charge of economic relations, Sudhir Devare, would go to Fiji via Australia.

Sources in the ministry of external affairs said Australia and New Zealand were completely on board India's line on Fiji, that is, protection must be given to Fijian Indians and racist attacks on them could not be countenanced.

Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer has not minced his words in expressing his opinion of George Speight, businessman turned politician, whom he has described as a "terrorist and a criminal".

About ten days ago, Speight took Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhary hostage inside Parliament. The situation is complex because soon after, Fijian President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara sacked Mahendra Chaudhary and later, the Army took over Fiji.

The latest development is that the Army has offered amnesty to Speight if he releases the hostages. It is an offer the businessman is inclined to refuse because the Army is in touch with the Australian government. Speight seems to think that if he accepts amnesty and releases his prisoners, he could meet with an `accident'.

This is not the first time Fijians of Indian origin have faced an attack from the ethnic (tribal) Fijians. In the 1980s, anti Indian feelings in Fiji were so intense that a Constitution promulgated in 1990 prohibited Fijian Indians from contesting for prime ministership.

India's options, even for intervention, are limited. The Indians in Fiji are now Fijian citizens and cannot be asked to disobey Fijian laws. But nevertheless, they are an important section of the Diaspora. There is also an issue of principle involved here. With its stated commitment to democracy and opposition to terrorism, India has an excuse to play a role in the affairs of the Pacific island.