The Changing Statements By Sitiveni Rauka About The 1987 Coup, 2000 And Mutiny

Since Sitiveni Rabuka first entered Fiji’s political scene through the coups of 1987, he has made a name for himself for continuously making contradictory statements.

Over the years, he has said many things that he would not do only to go ahead and do the same. He was adamant that he was not going to leave SODELPA, pledging his support as tail end Charlie.

He went ahead and left SODELPA. He said he was not going to form another political party, he went ahead and formed The Peoples Alliance Party (PAP).

Similarly, he made several remarks six years ago that he would not be commenting on any supposed role the late Tui Nayau Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara played in the 1987 coup. Six years ago, he had told FBC’s For the Record Show that Ratu Mara was no longer around to defend himself and that he would not be commenting on anything to do with the late Tui Nayau.

Earlier this year, while speaking to a former Fijian broad­caster, Mr Rabuka agreed that the late Ratu Mara sup­ported the coup of 1987 and wanted the 1970 Constitution abrogated.

Then came claims that the now disbanded Counter Revo­lutionary Warfare (CRW) unit of which soldiers took part in the 2000 coup had trained at Mr Rabuka estate in Vanua Levu. Mr Rabuka made a number of differing statements on this. He said he saw soldiers of the unit at the airport, he was made aware of their training afterwards and also said the soldiers had taken Yaqona to his village.

From not knowing anything about it to acknowledging the presence of the soldiers, Mr Rabuka has made at least three different statements about what the soldiers were do­ing on his land days before the 2000 coup.

Too many questions continue to be asked about Mr Rabu­ka’s re-entry into the political scene after announcing his retirement a number of times.

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