It
is documented that Fiji was visited by
the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in an attempt
to find the Great Southern Continent in
1643. It was not until the 19th century,
however, that Europeans came to the islands
to settle there permanently. The islands
came under British control as a colony
in 1874. It was granted independence in
1970. Democratic rule was interrupted
by two military coups in 1987, caused
by concern over a government perceived
as dominated by the Indo-Fijian (Indian)
community. A consequence of the second
1987 coup was that the British Monarchy
and the Governor General were replaced
by a non-executive President, and the
long form of the country's name changed
from Dominion of Fiji to Republic of Fiji
(in turn changed to Republic of the Fiji
Islands in 1997).
A
1990 constitution guaranteed ethnic Fijian
control of Fiji, but led to heavy Indian
emigration; the population loss resulted
in economic difficulties, but ensured
that Melanesians became the majority.
Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution
more equitable. Free and peaceful elections
in 1999 resulted in a government led by
an Indo-Fijian. A year later, this was
deposed in a coup led by George Speight,
a hardline Fijian nationalist. Fiji's
membership of the Commonwealth of Nations
was suspended due to the anti-democratic
activities connected with the 2000 coup.
Democracy was restored towards the end
of 2000, and Laisenia Qarase, who had
led an interim government in the meantime,
was elected Prime Minister. Fiji was readmitted
to the Commonwealth in 2001.
|
|
