Frank Bainimarama Quotes (34 quotes) | Quotes of famous people

Context: Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer: "I do not see the Military Commander of Fiji as a political player in all this. Let me make this very clear: it is not the job of a military commander to play politics; it is the job of the military commander to command troops and the Government is to decide where those troops get deployed, whether to Iraq or RAMSI. It is not the role of the commander to play domestic politics." (29 September 2005, on Bainimarama's opposition to the Reconciliation and Unity Bill (q. v).

“I told Mr Downer that I was disappointed with his comments and said that we should stay out of politics. I told him his country has not experienced a coup to feel what the military went through here. He can't compare the situation there to this side.”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Reaction to calls from Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer for the Military to stay out of politics (30 September 2005)

“When we wrong God, he does not let us go, he makes us pay for our wrongs but through the death of his own son Jesus Christ. When God's people (Jews) wronged him, he weakened them in battle and caused them to be captives in Babylon for 70 years.”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Excerpts from an address to Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs, 28 July 2005

“We are not going to take this Bill for granted. We asked them (the Daily Post reporters) to leave the room because they are for the Bill. And if they are for the Bill, this means they are anti-RFMF.”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Reaction to calls from Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer for the Military to stay out of politics (30 September 2005)

“You have to give it (the tiger) room. If you don't give it room, it will bite you.”

Frank Bainimarama

(4 January 2005; seen as a veiled threat to politicians not to interfere with the military).
2000, 2005

“Our Fiji today is a new Fiji where individual freedom is protected and not a Fiji solely for Fijians. Wise decisions from this august house will promote multiracial harmony and true friendship.”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Excerpts from an address to Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs, 28 July 2005

“This is where we are coming from. The Bill is a continuation of the 2000 coup and it is the consequences of the Bill that we are looking at.”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Reaction to calls from Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer for the Military to stay out of politics (30 September 2005)

“All the nation has been saddened by the extent to which the country has fallen during the last week. I have therefore, with much reluctance, assumed executive authority.”

Frank Bainimarama

(29 May 2000, announcing that he had taken over the government from President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
2000

“Coups will be taken lightly if we condone this Bill, without justice there is no peace. If you honourable chiefs agree that those involved in the coup be forgiven, it will prove that we support the wrong and will be at odds with the integrity of God.”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Excerpts from an address to Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs, 28 July 2005

“If we don't put our foot down, they will release every man and his dog.”

Frank Bainimarama

(Criticizing the government's policy of releasing persons sentenced for involvement in the 2000 coup).
2000

“"We will maintain our stand despite criticisms." (on being told by Downer that the international community would not be happy about the Military's intervention in the political arena).”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Reaction to calls from Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer for the Military to stay out of politics (30 September 2005)

“The military stand is that reconciliation is only possible after justice is served.”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Excerpts from an address to Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs, 28 July 2005

“I don’t think they should be discussing the Bill. It represents the lies of those that took the people into Parliament. The same opportunists are using the GCC to push the Bill through.”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Warning to the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 March 2006

“Senator James Ah Koy: "I think he is doing a good job and I really support him for his strong words against Mr Downer." (1 October 2005)”

Frank Bainimarama

"He is a strong man and we are blessed to have him in office. His priority is national security and that is why he is coming out strong on the Bill." (1 October 2005).

“Let's do right in the eyes of God!”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Excerpts from an address to Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs, 28 July 2005

“Remember the words of the Bible in Amos 5:24, 'Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-falling stream'.”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Excerpts from an address to Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs, 28 July 2005

“The passing of the bill will be a continuation of all the events of 2000.”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Reaction to calls from Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer for the Military to stay out of politics (30 September 2005)

“Following the 2000 coup, this august house did not agree to forgive the perpetrators but you decided that justice will take its course. You are confronted with a similar decision now. The military humbly requests that you display the same wisdom then to protect our land now.”

Frank Bainimarama

2000, Excerpts from an address to Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs, 28 July 2005

“We will maintain our stand despite criticisms.”

Frank Bainimarama

(on being told by Downer that the international community would not be happy about the Military's intervention in the political arena).
2000, Reaction to calls from Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer for the Military to stay out of politics (30 September 2005)