An expert on Fijian issues, Dr Steven Ratuva, says the detention of a group of senior figures in the Methodist Church is a ratchetting up of pressure by the interim regime.
Dr Ratuva, formerly of the University of the South Pacific, but now at Auckland University, believes this is the next step in trying to make sure the church complies:
"The government is putting more and more pressure and perhaps a bit more psychological coercion on the church to make sure the church adheres to what the government wants and I think a bit of scaremongering as well is involved here. It is a way in which the government is trying to intimidate the church, but I think the church is pretty determined go ahead with the meetings."
An expert on Fijian issues, Dr Steven Ratuva.
