Suva police prepare for anti-Government march

Press, 24 April 1987, Page 10

Suva police prepare for anti-Government march

NZPA-AAP Suva Police in Suva last evening drafted contingency plans for today’s anti-Government protests as Fiji’s highest chief added his voice to appeals for racial peace. Senior officers of the multi-racial force, who conferred with Government leaders yesterday, gave no details of security measures. Police were expected to line the route of the protesters’ march through central Suva. They will also guard government buildings where demonstrators said they would picket. The non-political march was organised by groups of Fijians led by village

chiefs protesting against this month’s election of the nation's first Government with a majority of Indian members.

The march through Suva will end at Government House, where protesters will present a petition to the Governor-Gen-eral calling for changes in the Constitution to guarantee Fijian control of the country. Although the leaders told the Governor-Gen-eral, Ratu Sir Penaia Kanatabatu Ganilau, this week that 10,000 Fijians would march, authorities last evening said the numbers would be limited to 2500 under the march permit.

Other marches were

planned on a smaller scale in other cities and towns.

Ratu Sir Penaia, who has cautioned Fijians against violence, yesterday cancelled a scheduled inter-island trip so as to be present to accept the petition. A similar warning came from his predecessor in office, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, Fiji’s most reverend and paramount chief.

Ratu Sir George, calling on Fijians to respect the people’s choice of Government, said calls to change the Constitution and “statements which could spread fear and anxiety among the people” were contrary to. multi-racial-ism and Fijian culture.