'Last year (October 2004), the nation celebrated a week of reconciliation and forgiveness, supported by all our main religions and numerous civic organizations and individuals from all our ethnic groups. Some of those who had suffered particular hurt in 2000, questioned the motives behind this and did not feel they could take part. Their views must be respected. They endured an ordeal which left deep wounds.'

'In 2000 Fiji experienced the greatest crisis in its contemporary history ... Fiji came close to complete collapse and anarchy; some form of civil war was a re…

'Two distinct ethnic groups, with quite different cultures and religious beliefs, were ... put together in the same islands. Colonial policy largely kept them …

'Don't worry if some of your peers think that a strong commitment to Christianity is not very fashionable. You can be as fashionable as you want, while still b…

It (reconciliation) must be allowed to grow through a shared understanding of what we all want and where we are all heading.

'The Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unit Bill is about unity. It is abut forgiveness and working together. Above all, it s about the security of our future - di…

I forgive the many for the sake of the few, the living for the dead.