When armed gunmen took the Prime Minister of Fiji and more than 30 other people hostage they threw Fiji into chaos. Using racism as a catch-cry they've spread fear, confusion and division among the people. Under the thatched roof of a large open sided shelter a long wooden table is surrounded by a gaggle of journalists. A lone high back chair sits empty behind the table.
Journalists quickly gaffer tape microphones, whisper on mobile telephones or adjust camera angles.
Just out of reach of the glare from the camera lights, soft Fijian voices sing hymns in gentle harmony. Overlooking the thatched shelter and covered in deep shadow are the Parliament buildings where sacked Fijian Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, and 30 other hostages are imprisoned. While they wait for Speight, the media- pack, swap stories of boredom and suggest ways to get into the Solomon Islands to cover the latest coup. The jokes stop and are replaced with a scurry for position as Speight and his armed entourage stride out of the dark and into the waiting light. Speight sits and greets the media with a sharp let s go, and for the next 30-minutes performs.