Bridging Divides Quotes
There are two ethnic groups in Fiji. The indigenous Fijians and immigrants from India and their descendants. The Indians originally came to trade and represent a globalized, mercantile culture whereas the indigenous tribes did not have the tradition of business. Over time, the minority Indians were economically more successful than the majority, which tended to resent the Indians. As the Indians were the political minority with no strong tradition of protection of minority rights, they became victims of discriminatory behavior in a nation where the traditional political structure of tribal chiefs and tribes dominated politics. Religion also separated the Hindu Indians from the Christian tribals. In the early 21st century, an Indian was elected prime minister, but this led to a revolt and coup by some traditional tribals. Finally the coup was put down but the society had been split apart and there was continuous argument over rights and whether the coups plotters should be punished.
Conservative hard liner hawks in both countries wanted a much more contentious and hostile relationship between the two nations. Reagan especially had to cope with a significant base of his Republican support. In any attempted peace or disarmament negotiations, there are people in both nations who profit economically, politically or ideologically from continued strife. This always makes the process difficult.
