Laisenia Qarase: Trending quotes

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Laisenia Qarase: 114 quotes1 like

“With a resounding yes I say we can reconcile and that it really is a matter of the heart.”

Laisenia Qarase

27 July 2005
Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission

“The shame is compounded by the failure of developed countries to commit enough of their wealth and resources to helping poor populations from developing countries.”

Laisenia Qarase

Excerpts from a speech to the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific, 13 May 2005

“"We cannot bring the people together and concentrate all our energies on developing the country when the agony of 2000 is continuously haunting us." (27 May 2005, from a speech to the annual conference of his United Fiji Party).”

Laisenia Qarase

Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission

“They forget that although our economy has been doing well, it is still narrow and fragile and it will take a long time before we can compete fully with the developed nations.”

Laisenia Qarase

Address to the 18th Australia-Fiji Business Forum, Shangri-La Fijian Resort, Sydney, Australia, 17 October 2005 (excerpts)

“Two distinct ethnic groups, with quite different cultures and religious beliefs, were … put together in the same islands. Colonial policy largely kept them apart and there was, therefore, little assimilation. This racial separation and segregation became a defining feature of our country. The two communities have co-existed, without finding a sense of unified nationhood.”

Laisenia Qarase

“We cannot bring our people together, and give all energies to development, when the agony of 2000 lives on and haunts us through prosecutions and sentences. Five years have gone by and … there is no end in sight. I believe it is time now for fresh thinking and action.”

Laisenia Qarase

“Their efforts and their sacrifices for education are immeasurable. They started their schools for their own children. Over the years, increasing numbers of Fijian and other students were taken in. Today, in a majority of their schools Fijian children predominate. There is a large debt of gratitude owed here that I am pleased to acknowledge.”

Laisenia Qarase

(Paying tribute to Indian and Chinese schools in Fiji).
Opening address to the Education Summit, Suva, 31 August 2005

“We must learn to respect each other's views and to differ without anger or ill will.”

Laisenia Qarase

14 July 2005
Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission

“It is now time for us to bring a greater degree of closure to a tragic period of our history. We must not forget what happened in 2000, but we must turn our eyes more to the future.”

Laisenia Qarase

“Follow the teachings and you will not go wrong.”

Laisenia Qarase

Excerpts from a speech to the Christian Youth Conference in Suva, 15 May 2005

“This age of globalisation is marked by the adoption of universal principles governing such matters as democracy, human rights, trade and development. Today, I reaffirm here that Fiji accepts these precepts. But we also say that countries like ours should not be held to unrealistic standards, we need time to evolve to adapt and to adhere. Do not judge us by what might be inappropriate at our stage of development.”

Laisenia Qarase

Address to the United Nations General Assembly, 17 September 2005 (excerpts)

“"Any Bill is drafted without consulting any party or stakeholders is because it contains what the Government wants to be included in the Bill." (20 May 2005, explaining why he had not consulted the Great Council of Chiefs on the legislation).”

Laisenia Qarase

Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission

“I want to assure you, Prime Minister, that we in Fiji cherish the vital and valuable role, and the enormous contribution, which members of our Indian community have played, and are continuing to play in the development and progress of our country.”

Laisenia Qarase

Letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, 20 October 2005 (excerpts)

“I think the overwhelming Fijian support for the Bill is saying we are offering a hand of reconciliation, a hand of forgiveness, a hand of friendship, a hand of repentance and unity. I were in Chaudhry's shoes I would grab the opportunity to try and establish dialogue through this Bill with the Fijian people to promote reconciliation and unity and I will do the same with Mr Beddoes as well. He has expressed his opposition to the Bill. This is a rare opportunity for them to help bridge the obvious gulf between our people.”

Laisenia Qarase

Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission, Response to continuing opposition to the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill, 30 July 2005

“Affirmative Action is a temporary measure to correct these imbalances (between ethnic Fijians and Indo-Fijians).”

Laisenia Qarase

Excerpts from an address to the Commonwealth Workshop in Nadi, 29 August 2005

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, vesting every individual with equal rights, was directly opposed to the hierarchical social structure of indigenous Fijian society. Chiefs were at the apex by virtue of their birth and rank. The rest of the people had a communal functional role in this hierarchy.”

Laisenia Qarase

Excerpts from an address to the Commonwealth Workshop in Nadi, 29 August 2005

“Any Bill is drafted without consulting any party or stakeholders is because it contains what the Government wants to be included in the Bill.”

Laisenia Qarase

20 May 2005, explaining why he had not consulted the Great Council of Chiefs on the legislation
Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission