home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
AOL File Library: 4,701 to 4,800
/
aol-file-protocol-4400-4701-to-4800.zip
/
AOLDLs
/
Social Issues & Comments
/
media mocks believer
/
fiji.txt
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
2014-12-11
|
5KB
|
95 lines
WORLD PRESS MOCKS FIJI'S CHRISTIAN PRIME MINISTER
The following is from a recent edition of Christian
Crusade Newspaper, P.O. Box 977, Tulsa, OK
74102. The newspaper is in its 42nd year of
publication. Dr. Hargis can be E-mailed on
America On Line as BJHargis, on Compuserve at
72204,541, and via the Internet as
BJHargis@aol.com .
Permission is granted for this article to be used in
newsletters, on computer BBSs or other otherwise
published, provided that attribution to Dr. Hargis
and Christian Crusade Newspaper is included.
copyright 1993 Christian Crusade Newspaper.
All rights reserved.
from CHRISTIAN CRUSADE NEWSPAPER
by Dr. Billy James Hargis, publisher
Keith Wilkerson, editor
The Fiji Islands have re-elected a devout Christian, Sitiveni
Rabuka, as Prime Minister, however, the international press
viewed his election as an opportunity to portray him as a
religious nut and his followers as bigots.
"Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, coup leader and
Methodist lay preacher, thanked God on Sunday for his sweeping
election victory in a traditional Fijian church service ╤ around
his backyard pool," wrote the Reuter news agency's Michael
Perry.
"When Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka invited friends
and supporters to his home to celebrate his weekend election
victory it was not to sit inside his plush residence, but in a shed
in his backyard," wrote British journalist Fiona Gillies. "Makeshift
open-sided shelters are common in the villages of this South
Pacific nation, where they are used for ceremonies and social
gatherings."
She wrote that Rabuka's shed is no fancier than any other ╤
big enough to seat 100 people comfortably ╤ but looks oddly out
of place behind the prime ministerial residence in one of the best
sections of Fiji's capital, Suva.
"Bringing the village to his home is typical of the man
considered a folk hero to many Fijians," wrote Gillies.
Rabuka seven years ago overthrew his island republic's ruling
clique, which had been dominated by immigrants from India.
"Deputy Prime Minister Ratu Timoci Vesikula," noted Perry,
"flatly ruled out including Indians in the new government. 'No,
we have the numbers. We have the capacity of forming a new
government without Indians,' Vesikula said after the poolside
church service for some 200 party faithful, tribal chiefs, and
family members.
Rabuka, however, has said he would work towards a
government of national unity, working with Indian politicians.
He has said his Soqosoqo ni Vakevulewa ni Taukei, or "Fijian
Political Party" would discuss including Indians in his
government.
As leader of the military in 1987, Rabuka overthrew the then
Indian-dominated government, claiming indigenous Fijians were
losing control of their land. In 1992, he was elected prime
minister in multi-party elections.
"To Fijians, he's still the hero of the coup," agreed long-time
Fiji political observer Sir Len Usher. "He's almost a living legend,
even though there's a good deal of disenchantment with him."
Sunday after the election, Rabuka once again showed the
common touch that has earned him grassroots support in the
election. "The gates of his property were thrown open and
members of parliament and campaign workers alike streamed in
to attend a religious service in his shed followed by a feast," wrote
Gillies.
There Rabuka thanked those who gathered for their support
and read passages from the Bible, which he often carries in his
shirt pocket.
"Rabuka is a devout Methodist," wrote Gillies. "He believes God
gave Fiji to the Fijians."
Rabuka once told author Eddie Dean that his role as coup
leader was "a mission that God has given me."
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN CRUSADE NEWSPAPER?
Christian Crusade Newspaper is in its
42nd year as a monthly voice of Christian conservativism.
It has a worldwide circulation and is published by
Christian Crusade, P.O. Box 977, Tulsa, OK 74102.
The newspaper is distributed free -- without charge -- to
subscribers as a result of the conviction of its founder, Dr.
Billy James Hargis, that he was not to put a price-tag on
the gospel. For your free subscription, just ask.
Dr. Hargis can be E-mailed a number of ways:
on America On Line as BJHargis,
via the Internet as BJHargis@aol.com ,
on Compuserve at 72204,541, and
on GEnie via K.Wilkerson3.