.gif)
Australia and New Zealand showed no signs of the diplomatic row with Fiji today as their governments’ representatives turned up with other dignitaries at the Fiji Remembrance Day service in Suva.
This comes only a week after the Fiji government ordered the heads of missions of its two neighbours out because of their travel sanctions on members of the judiciary.
Acting Australian High Commissioner, Sarah Roberts, and New Zealand’s Acting Head of Mission, Cecilia Warren, joined close to 100 Fiji ex-servicemen and members of the public in the celebration at Ratu Sukuna Park.
The pair was seated under a marquee alongside fellow members of the diplomatic corp and senior members of the Fiji military and police forces during the one and half hour long service.
Roberts, and later Warren took their turns during the traditional wreath laying ceremony in front of the main dais, briefly pausing for a moment of reverence before returning to their seats.
Some of Fiji’s ex-servicemen had served alongside Australian and New Zealand soldiers.
On the main stage were chief guest, Minister for Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Captain (navy) Timoci Natuva, Police Commissioner Commodore Esala Teleni, Military Legal Services Director Colonel Aziz Mohammed, and the President of the Returned Soldiers & Ex-Servicemen Association of Fiji, Colonel Matereti Sarasau.
Col Aziz was the first to lay a wreath, on behalf of Fiji President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who is attending the Remembrance Day celebration in the Northern Division.
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama did not attend the service as he has left for a two week tour of Rome and Brussels.
His wreath was laid by brother-in-law, Navy Commander Francis Kean.
In his speech, Capt Natuva called on the ex-servicemen to support the military-led Government.
“A soldier remains one until his death. It is no use fighting wars in other countries when we can’t quell our own problems,” he said.
To others he reminded them of the sacrifice by Fiji’s fallen heroes in the world wars, the Malayan campaign and other missions that Fiji soldiers were called to serve in.
“Would we have the courage to do what our forefathers did?
“Remembrance Day helps us to remember their sacrifice.
“Without freedom there can be no peace, without peace there can be no freedom.
“We salute you all!”
