Kamisese Mara
Kamisese Mara
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, CF, GCMG, KBEis considered the founding father of the modern nation of Fiji. He was Chief Minister from 1967 to 1970, when Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and, apart from one brief interruption in 1987, the first Prime Minister from 1970 to 1992. He subsequently served as president from 1993 to 2000...
NationalityFijian
ProfessionStatesman
Date of Birth6 May 1920
CountryFiji
ask brown dashed family knew moved next ready time
He said there is 80 of us, ready to come down and the next thing I knew is that Jo Brown dashed in and said your family has already moved and you have to move, the boat is ready to take you out. I didn't have time to ask, even ask a question.
heart ruled stage
At that stage my heart ruled my head.
defeated lost people shadows south
From where I stand, I do not see the lost people of the South Seas, the defeated and the despairing, shrunken shadows of those who went before.
certainly good rely rock
Certainly it has been the rock on which I have always been able to rely in good times and in bad, and it is the lodestone of my life.
behind coup reveal today truth undertaken worthless
The reconciliation that has been undertaken today will be worthless if investigations into the coup do not reveal the truth behind the staging.
cannot caused dialogue government
We will have a dialogue and see what they offer, ... I cannot say I will put back the government that has caused all these problems.
community indigenous position protected
the position of the indigenous community will be protected and enhanced.
That I will not be able to oblige,
I thought they know that I was the Commander in Chief, not that I know that I am the Commander in Chief, and they should behave; know how to behave to the Commander in Chief.
avoid bloodshed
And I said, yes, if you think that I avoid bloodshed by standing aside, then I will stand aside.
chairman deputy government overthrown parliament round sat telephone union
I was the deputy Chairman of the Democratic Union of the Pacific, and we started at 8 I think and I was called to the telephone and to be told there's a coup, the government has been overthrown - it was round about 9, 10 when the Parliament sat they had done then.
request today
I had a request today from Mr. Speight for him to come and see me,
constitution therefore
not in accordance with the constitution and ... therefore unlawful.
leadership government finals
It is with obedience to your call that I take up the burden of government leadership for the final time.