Page 51 - Melanesia
P. 51
1977 - Fiji had to have two general elec- 1984 - Reserve Bank of Fiji opens and QAN- 1999 - Mahendra Chaudhry, an ethnic In-
tions this year after the first, which was TAS takes over management of Air Pacific. dian, becomes prime minister after the Fiji
won by the National federation Party could Labour Party emerges from the general elec-
not get started because of internal bicker- 1985 - Four cyclones devastate the country tion with enough seats to rule on its own.
ing amongst NFP members, notably Siddiq early in the year. The labour party is formed
Koya and Karam Ramrakha. The Alliance and two FM radio stations begin broadcasts. 2000 May - Bankrupt businessman George
took a 20 seat majority in the second elec- Speight and retired major Ilisoni Ligairi
tions. 1987 - On a cloudless Thursday, Lieutenant storm parliament, aiming to make in-
Colonel, Sitiveni Rabuka, third in command digenous Fijians the dominant political
June 1978 - Fijian troops leave Fiji for of the Royal Fiji Military Forces executed a force. They take Prime Minister Mahendra
Peacekeeping duties in Southern Lebanon bloodless military coup at 10am. There is a Chaudhry and his cabinet hostage. Speight
with the United Nations Interim Forces in second coup in September, after which Fiji is proclaims himself acting premier. President
Lebanon (UNIFIL). declared a Republic and severs ties with the Mara sacks the Chaudhry government on
British Monarchy. the orders of Fiji’s Great Council of Chiefs.
1981 - Pieces of pottery found in Naigani Commonwealth suspends Fiji. Chaudhry
said to be 3500 years older than any previ- 1990 - A new constitution was promulgated and other hostages released; Great Coun-
ous find. by the first President, of the Republic of cil of Chiefs appoints Ratu Josefa Iloilo - a
Fiji, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, giving Fijians former father-in-law of Speight’s brother –
1982 - The Alliance Party again won the 37 seats, Indians 27, General voters 5 and President. Speight and 369 of his supporters
general elections. Another Battalion of Fi- Rotumans 1. arrested. Eight soldiers are killed in a failed
jian soldiers live for Peacekeeping duties in army mutiny.
the Sinai Peninsula with the Multi-National 1992 - The first general elections under the
Forces and Observers (MFO) a US brokered new 1990 constitution was conducted and
initiative. the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei took
control of the polls.
1983 - Hurricane Oscar causes US $70m
damage. Monasavu hydroelectric dam 1997 - Fiji wins the Rugby Sevens World
comes on stream. Cup.
