Fiji is marking the third anniversary of the May 2000 coup today with national leaders expressing conflicting views on its significance.
The Daily Post newspaper says the scars of its impact remain today in the form of rising unemployment, poverty, crime and the cost of living.
The Post quotes the Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, as saying that law and order has improved, the economy has picked up and his government is optimistic of a much better future.
But the deposed Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, says the coup set Fiji back 20 years, the economy is declining, the sugar industry is on the verge of collapse, crime is soaring and there is rampant corruption in the public and private sectors.
Mr Chaudrhy says there is an unprecedented level of poverty.
The opposition leader, Mick Beddoes, says Fiji is at a standstill and the only way the government can tackle pressing economic and social problems is by taking a more inclusive approach and not ignoring half of the population.
Mr Beddoes says the government must address the aspiration of all the people irrespective of race, ethnicity or religion.
