KEEP FIJI IN YOUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK!
Julian Fox
SUVA: 17th February -- Two nights ago, a good
number of Suva residents (including the inhabitants of Don Bosco House) were
thrown out of bed around 2 am by a strong earth tremor that reached 5.2.
The jolt caused no damage other than to crockery - but it did bring a
premonition to the nation which is nervously awaiting this coming Monday 19th
February. On this day, Supreme Court Judges (and a few visiting ones from
overseas) will meet to determine once and for all - is there a case for the
present interim government (which is government by decree and without an
opposition, and under a state of emergency) or must we somehow try to return to
a pre-19th May situation?
The potential for disturbance and violence is
there, since the decision, whatever it is (and it won't be Monday, but some days
or weeks later) will satisfy only half the population. At least 42% of the
population are not behind the interim administration, but the remaining 58% are
hopelessly divided over the substantial issues.
So - we need your prayers!
Many sensible people can see that to return to last
year's chaos, with schools and major industries closed, would spell long-term
disaster for our society. Our concern is that just a handful of senseless
individuals can cause problems.
The army and the police are out in force, and from
today, the city and surrounds are largely closed down, making movement around
the place slow if not at times impossible. We have mixed feelings about it
- the show of force makes a point, but it also heightens anxiety.
Friday was national youth day - which the Salesians
celebrated by taking a large group of leaders down the river to a deserted beach
called Mata-i-Suva, opposite Nukulau Island where the perpetrator of the May
19th 2000 Coup is incarcerated. Our day was wonderful, and we kept our
attention away from the island to the bamboo rafts the kids made, and the
coconuts and bananas in abundance around us. Mercifully it was not as hot
as the last four weeks have been, but the only shelter was under the water or
under a raft! As reported in the papers today, very few other
celebrations were held - people preferred to remain at home in case there was
trouble. We were just glad to get ourselves and the kids out of town and
have some fun.
My own personal feeling is that Monday will slide
by rather uneventfully...except for the fact that people will turn it into a
national holiday! It is certain that there won't be many children going to
school, even though police have promised to put a guard at each school gate -
that promise will seal the decision of most to stay at
home!
