Koila Nailatikau

“Jioji Kotobalavu, chief executive in the office of the Prime Minister: "What kind of question is that?" (21 July 2005, in reaction to Nailatikau's accusation that the government was incapable of functioning without perpetrators of the 2000 coup).”

“"We must speak with fairness, responsibility and goodwill toward all ethnic groups."”

“"If the chiefs as leaders are going to earn and maintain the respect of the people of Fiji and preserve the uniqueness of the traditional and cultural structures they need to also recognise that the differences that exist between us all cannot and should not be ignored."”

“"We all need to embrace broad principles that accommodate the rights and aspirations of all the people of Fiji. Only then will peace and harmony prevail."”

“"To put it in simple English, you break the law, you commit a crime, you do the time."”

“"The amnesty period from May 2000 to March was the very period in which the late President was removed."”

“"Why weren't the victims involved in the consultations prior to the formulation of this Bill?"”

“"Personally, I feel that if the Lau Provincial Council votes for this Bill it means that they are supporting the amnesty clause, which is what the whole Bill is about. Do they understand that what they are actually doing is agreeing in principle to the removal of the late Turaga na Tui Nayau and condoning the coup perpetrators who were the very thugs who removed the Tui Nayau and brought anarchy to Fiji in the year 2000."”

“"Regrettably, this Bill appears to remove everything that the late Tui Nayau worked for, that is respect for the rule of law and everything he stood for unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence."”

“"I recall what the late Tui Nayau said at his last Lau Provincial Council meeting on Ono, Lau, in October 2000: 'There can be no reconciliation or peace until the coup investigations are completed and the rule of law is upheld'."”

“"I have one question for the Government, why can't it function without the coup perpetrators?" (July 21, 2005)”

“"I spoke on this in Senate and I'll say it again — why wasn't this Bill brought about when my parents, the late Tui Nayau and Roko Tui Dreketi, were still alive?" (July 21, 2005)”

“"The Bill is slanted towards the perpetrators of the coup and not the victims … This Bill is lenient towards the perpetrators while the victims get nothing." (July 21, 2005)”

“"(Unless all coup perpetrators) are brought before the courts, Fiji cannot put to rest the ghosts of the coup." (May 7, 2005)”

“"For all I know this has come very late in the day and it's a bit too late … Had my father been here, I believe he would have respected and upheld the rule of law." (May 7, 2005)”

“"As leaders of Fiji … we should emulate our most distinguished leaders of the past, such as the Turaga Bale na Tui Lau, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, na Turaga mai Naisogolaca, Ratu Sir Edward Cakobau, na Turaga Bale na Vunivalu, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, na Turaga Bale na Tui Cakau, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau and recently the Turaga Bale na Tui Nayau, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and the Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi, Adi Lady Lalabalavu Tuisawau Mara."”

“"I believe that Fiji is at the cross roads. We should all be proud of our traditions and our rich multi-cultural heritage."”

“"If we succumb to pardoning these men, then we are sabotaging and undermining our own ability to act without fear or favour. We reap what we sow. We will sow a culture of coups for our children. We must therefore, uphold the Rule of Law and Justice."”

“"Reconciliation cannot eventuate or materialise until the proper legal procedures have been followed, that is without interference from external forces."”

“"True reconciliation must incorporate the righteous elements of forgiveness and justice. Therefore, real meaningful forgiveness will only arise when firstly, we have to identify the aggrieved party and the wrongdoer must then ask for forgiveness for a specific wrong done. Once forgiveness is achieved, then the process of justice must take place and punishment given according to law. Only then, will true reconciliation begin."”