'I am still mentally fit to rule'

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, JULY 31. The deposed Fijian Prime Minister, Mr. Mahendra Chaudhry, has described as ``rubbish'' a report that former political hostages may not be mentally fit to lead the country again.

``The report is rubbish, without substance. I am of tougher stuff and do not need a psychologist,'' Mr. Chaudhry was quoted as telling The Fiji Times today.

According to the report, prepared by Father Makario Waqanivalu, U.S.-based psychologist and Catholic priest, political leaders imprisoned during the coup in May 2000 may have lost their ability to function.

On May 19, 2000, Mr. George Speight and his men seized Fiji's Parliament and took Mr. Chaudhry - legally-elected Prime Minister - hostage. Eighteen persons, including Mr. Chaudhry, were held until July 13.

``It was possible that their ability to function, as leaders of the nation, would be affected by more than 50 days of confinement,'' Father Waqanivalu said in his report.

A tough-talking Mr. Chaudhry, however, said that the team which prepared the report suffered from trauma and its members should be treated. ``I have a lot of faith in truth and justice. I will not be moved by any circumstance or report,'' he said.

Father Waqanivalu, who headed the Fiji Trauma Recovery Team (FTRT), said it was against charity and justice to assume that the hostages were not affected by their detention.

``It would, therefore, be an injustice to them, their families and the Fiji nation as a whole to put them in a position of leadership without first giving them appropriate psychological assessment and consequent treatment when needed,'' the report said.

``Only time will show the effects of more than 50 days of confinement, ill-treatment and traumatic stress related to their loss of position (of Cabinet members) and related benefits,'' it claimed.

The team, however, could not say how individual hostages had been affected. The report also stated that indigenous Fijians living in the capital Suva were more affected than Fijian Indians ``because of confusion, conflict and division within family circles about which side they were on, who was right or wrong and seeing their loved ones divide''.

``The older children of those who joined Speight and were living at the Parliament complex felt ashamed, disturbed and confused. They lost trust and confidence in the adult Fijians for guidance and advice. Younger children believed outright that their parents were absolutely right. They idealised and imitated them especially at the roadblocks,'' the report added.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Russia takes two steps closer to democracy
Next     : Chandrika begins parleys to defuse crisis