oggers, it seems to me even Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II during the 60th Year Celebrations of the Commonwealth couldn’t restrain herself from taking a swipe at Bainimarama and his illegal government.
This Fijilive article states Her Majesty questioning whether these tabuas should have been displayed in the first place, then adds, “only they’re illegal now. (Interpretation: The tabua being the most venerated cultural artifact amongst Fijians & Fiji having been ejected from the Commonwealth, why should it have anything on display at the Commonwealth Celebrations because of its current suspension and illegal status).
Director Sir Hugh Roberts, replies “well, I suppose Ma’am, luckily they were given to you long enough ago for that not to be, I think, too much of an issue.” (Interpretation: The tabuas were legally given to her Majesty by the real chiefs of Fiji and legal representatives of its elected government.)
Her Majesty ends by saying she hopes not because it would be awful if someone claimed it back. (Interpretation: The illegal junta wanting to claim what lawfully belongs to an elected government and making a complete arse of themselves)
SWM Management Board, wishes to say vinaka vaka levu Your Majesty and keep up the pressure against these imbeciles.
July 25, 2009 02:15:50 PM
Three whale teeth fashioned into necklaces and on display at a public exhibition in London had Queen Elizabeth II worried whether they were “illegal” and would have to go back to Fiji.
AFP reported the whale teeth were part of a public exhibition opening Monday at the Queen’s Buckingham Palace official residence in London, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth.
The exhibition not only displays gifts from around the world, including dazzling jewelry and ethnic craftwork, but also shows off dresses and gowns worn by Queen Elizabeth during her Commonwealth tours since she inherited the throne in 1952.
During her preview tour yesterday, the 83-year-old sovereign questioned whether the sperm whale teeth should be on display, saying “only they’re illegal now.”
Sir Hugh Roberts, director of the Royal Collection, replied: “Well, I suppose Ma’am, luckily they were given to you long enough ago for that not to be, I think, too much of an issue.”
Laughing, the queen said: “I hope not, it would be awful if somebody comes round and says you’ve got to return them.”
Born out of the British empire, the Commonwealth of Nations brings together around a third of the world’s countries and a quarter of the world’s population.
The modern Commonwealth was formed in 1949 when eight countries — Australia, Britain, Canada, Ceylon, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa — signed the Declaration of London after a six-day conference.
Britain’s environment ministry later eased the queen’s fears by saying that “historic” sperm whale teeth did not need a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Licence if they were simply on display.
The opening of the state rooms at Buckingham Palace runs to September 30.
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