To March or Not To March -- that is the question....

A letter penned by "Samuella Bale" (2 "l"'s??) was posted on the Fiji Today blog highlighting the serious risks to this initiative.

But Mr Bale is right. Taking to the streets with the PER in place is indeed risky and it is critical that decisions taken by would-be marchers are well informed.

So to help would-be marchers make an informed choice, we pose a few questions based on the information that is before us:

1. What is the guarantee that would-be marchers will be protected by army/police who would undoubtedly be sent clear orders to control the crowds? Does it smell a bit too much like the orchestrated marches that gave way to the coup of 2000?
2. If the police/army will let the march happen without raising a finger, what has brought this about? Is the military regime's alliance cracking? Is it because Bainimarama's key hatchet-men: Mara, Driti, Leweni, Tikoitoga, Teleni etc have either been sent packing back to barracks or shut out? And frankly why should we give a damn about their internal falling out when we essentially want them all locked up?
3. Why is the march approaching the illegal and treasonous President with a petition? Is this not a public show in acknowledgement and acceptance of an illegal and treasonous appointment?
4. As per the petition that is supposed to be delivered to the illegal and treasonous President, who has seen it? Is there a draft petition floating around? Are would-be marchers supposed to sign it without fully understanding who this interim administration is supposed to consist of? Or are there more opportunists just waiting in the wings to give us more of the same? If so who are they -- Military Council, SDL, FLP, NFP etc?
5. If the President is supposedly holding all this power why hasn't he done something on his own accord? Or is he still very much beholden to Bainimarama? If he is, what assurance is there that he will be moved by such a public display?
6. Is this march once again politically motivated? Is it because some are waiting to use the crisis of opportunity such as the fragmented military for political gain?
7. Is this march simply using the opportunity of Bainimarama's apparent illness to get back at Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum who is clearly using Bainimarama's crisis for his opportunities?
8. WHO is the face of the march that will control any frenzy's?

Until these key questions are answered with clarity and an absolute guarantee that can stand up in a court of law, we also would urge would-be marchers to treat this initiative with caution.