COMMODORE JOSAIA VOREQE BAINIMARAMA CF (Mil), OStJ, MSD, jssc, psc
Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Public Service, People’s Charter for Change and Progress, Information, i Taukei Affairs, Provincial Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE, 2010
I extend to all Fijians a happy and joyous Christmas as we again celebrate and commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is principally a time for families, friends, loved ones and those less fortunate to come together in a spirit of sharing, caring and love for one another.
It is also a time to spread the message and best wishes of love, harmony and peace.
I believe this is also the time for all of us, irrespective of our beliefs, to focus on our similarities.
Christmas in Fiji instills in all of us its wonderful sense of celebration, sharing and forgiveness. It is the most cherished religious event in the Christian calendar, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ whose teachings of love and compassion is universal.
Jesus Christ taught that we all are united and equal in humanity. It is these fundamental and enduring teachings of brother and sisterhood that will shape the future of our beloved Fiji.
I again take this opportunity to wish each one of you and your families a very safe, blessed and Merry Christmas.
(FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2010, No:2252 /MOI) PRIME MINISTER’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
6 comments:
This message from the PM strikes just the right note. Unity, equality, forgiveness and compassion. These are the qualities that are badly needed right now. We've never had harmony in Fiji in my lifetime but this is the time of the year to live in hope.
Happy Christmas to you, Croz, and vinaka vakalevu for always shining a light into the dark recesses of national life. All great men suffer the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune", as William Shakespeare put it. You need to wear these wounds with pride in the knowledge that you are doing good and important work.
If the best your critics can muster is that you're aging, out of touch or misguided, you can be sure you are on the right path. Better to live off an honest university pension than to have your hand in the national cookie jar, like some of these people did.
Instead of just playing golf, which I know you love, you are using your retirement in the service of others by pursuing your mission to explain. Rest assured that you have the gratitude and respect of many more people than you irritate and annoy. I fully agree with the person who described you as a national treasure. May God's blessing continue to be upon you and those around you.
Aside from the pretty words about equality, forgiveness and sharing, did Frank say anything about elections or human rights?
Radio Luca.
You are never satisfied my boy instead of living off the Australian taxpayers why don’t you return to Fiji and put your education funded by Fiji taxpayers dollars to good use.
Give back to the people that you and your ilks unashamedly reaped off.
@ New Zealand's expressed concern for our welfare...?
Had New Zealand an enlightened concern for our welfare, it might have been more appropriately demonstrated 'wayback' before improperly conducted elections were perpetrated upon the people under the guise of democracy (twice). Starting with a registration process grossly flawed. Even on the yardstick of 'gender balance', the ennumeration process was skewed. It offered in September 2005 an affront to most intelligent and educated people who know how a democratic election should be conducted (not only in Fiji but elsewhere). Worse, these inadequately prepared ennumerators were to enter homes and places of work. Later, a few senior diplomats joined in this effort by covertly exerting pressure upon those they considered easy prey. Their positions should have put them above this kind of behaviour. But no, they batted on without, it seemed, a care or concern that what they were embarking upon was tantamount to 'undue pressure', a co-ercion - it might be said - of opinion prior to what some had pre-emptively decided was a full democratic process "just like the one we know 'back home'. Who were these individuals so bent upon their own determination of the result? Yet, who had the duplicity to say "we have no real interest in who wins this election". We might well devise our own Wikileak on this. Because looking back, it is more than obvious that no real concern was shown by such persons on the ground about our welfare nor where Fiji was going next. All outcomes "are the same to us"? Oh yes? That may now be seen to be an outright lie. Why elicit surprise? A diplomat goes overseas prepared 'to lie for his/her country' (if not to die?) the cynics have it. Oppressing the already oppressed is merely a form of diplomatic elaboration? Convince us otherwise.
@ Radiolucas....
You are required to explain fully how you would ensure that elections take place in a manner which is above co-ercion, threats of violence and unseemly diplomatic pressure? Who is to stand in such elections and how will these candidates be assessed prior to their endorsement? What parties will they stand for? Or shall they stand as individuals and independent? How will their finances be monitored? And who will determine the provenance of this finance? How many women candidates are to stand? Shall their number be mandated? When you have thought clearly and carefully about all the above...and some,please let us know. For this is the next step and it is fraught with complexity.
@ Radiolucas......
Still 'thinking precisely upon the event'? Take your time and please do come back. May be it is now sinking in that the entire process of democracy is a most weighty one. Like marriage, it should never be entered upon lightly but utterly advisedly? Because again, just like marriage, the consequences of foundering are .....dire for all concerned.
Post a Comment