1. Armed strangers: Friday 19 May 2000

Speight of Violence 3

A tragedy that was to cost many lives and bring chaos to thousands more had a precise opening sequence, recorded in the Hansard of the Fiji House of Representatives on a hot, clear Friday, 19 May 2000.

'The House met at 10.40 am pursuant to adjournment,' begins the Hansard record where, Shakespearean-like, the actors' names are capitalised.

'MR. SPEAKER took the Chair and read the Prayer.'

As the prayer was unchanged and set down in parliamentary rules, it was not included in the daily Hansard.

'Almighty God, who in Thy wisdom and goodness hast appointed the offices of rulers and Parliaments for the welfare of society and the just Government of Men,' Speaker Apenisa Kurusaqila prayed, 'webeseech Thee to behold with Thy abundant favour us Thy servants, whom Thou hast been pleased to call to the performance of important trusts in this Land. Let Thy blessing descend upon us here assembled, and grant that we may treat and consider all matters that shall come under our deliberation, in so just and faithful a manner as to promote Thy honour and glory, and to advance the peace, prosperity and welfare of this land and of those whose interest Thou hast committed to our charge.'

For an assembly made up of people who disagreed over whether the Ultimate Truth was in the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita or the Koran, it was a fine prayer, but theological debate was not what some people had in mind. Coalition Government backbench member Timoci Silatolu knew what was about to happen: George Speight had just phoned him to say he and a gang of highly trained First Meridian Squadron soldiers were about to burst through the door.

Hansard, personified by note-taker Serei Moucavu, noted the minutes of the day before they were taken as read. Four papers were laid on the table; annual reports of the Higher Salaries Commission and the Lami Town Council.

'HON. DR. T.L. BABA (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs). - I have pleasure in laying on the table the Report of the Joint Sector Committee on Social Services and the Legal and Consequential Legislation on the Social Justice Bill (Bill No. 3 of 2000).