474 THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC. FALL 1993 (in terms of its exclusive economic decade for France but a tumultuous zones). In so doing, Henningham does one for Australia also points to the fact not seek to condone France but simply that he has difficulty in rising above his to better understand it. data. In spite of his predictions, France From time to time the author rises has placed a moratorium on nuclear above the presentation of a wealth of testing. More important, the second facts and events to highlight individu­ half of the 1980s was characterized by a als who have profoundly marked, if surge in French research and reflection not indeed determined, the course of on the South Pacific as a whole, and history: Jean-Marie Tjibaou in New this has been translated into acts, nota­ Caledonia, Pouvana'a a O'opa in bly a diplomatic offensive and a con­ French Polynesia, French Prime Minis­ cern to better integrate the territories ter Michel Rocard.... Regrettably, into the regional community. These the treatment they receive remains gestures, largely ignored by Hen­ superficial and fragmentary. ningham, have borne fruit. In a part of So far so good. the world where dependence is a cruel Where the book begins to jar is reality, the discovery of a rich and when it gets closer to home. Although interested France provides an attractive France's presence in the South Pacific counterbalance for a number of states "provokes controversy," Australia (and to a heavy-handed and economically New Zealand) have only "good inten­ ailing regional power. tions." The pages devoted specifically Although less than twelve months to their roles are showered with words have passed since France and the South like "constructive," "moderating," Pacific was published, it already merits "consensus," "prompt and generous," a substantially modified conclusion. "welcoming," and so on. Here the per­ Nevertheless, the treatment it provides ceptive scholar sheds his academic of events since World War II is a serious gown in favor ofthe grey suit and the and, ultimately, a generous one. How elusive tongue ofthe diplomat. Events nice it would be if it spurred a French of the last few years have demonstrated scholar to do a similar analysis of Aus­ that Australia's hand is heavy indeed in tralia and Melanesia! Melanesia, and speeches clothed in ERIC WADDELL gentle words scarcely conceal an University ofthe South Pacific unfailing commitment to realpolitik. As one ni-Vanuatu remarked to me ::. recently, "They even try and watch us when we go to piss!" The present crisis Silent Warriors, unabridged edition, by in relations between Australia and the Anirudh Singh. Introduction by Solomon Islands, and the recent expul­ Tupeni Baba. Suva: Fiji Institute of sion ofthe Australian ambassador to Applied Studies, 1992. ISBN 982-3°1• Vanuatu would suggest that the obser­ 001-3,108 pp, map. Paper, F$6.7S. vation is not devoid of truth. But then we all have our blind spots. A new "unabridged" edition of a text Henningham's failure to predict that first released late last year has just hit the 1990S may well be a relatively calm the bookstands around Suva. The BOOK REVIEWS 475 book, clad in red and black, is titled Singh's story is a horrific one. His Silent Warriors. It describes the ordeal position is obvious: indeed, he has of Dr Anirudh Singh, a University of been "positioned" by the interim the South Pacific lecturer, its author. regime in Fiji (just as he has taken a More than any statistics, this short "position" against his oppressors). This text sketches in the human dimensions text does not appeal to horizons of of the aftermath ofthe 1987 coups. "objectivity" or "impartiality": in this Singh's story is known now: he was sense it is not readily recognizable as an abducted from outside his home on 24 old style "academic text." Yet, it is October 1990. After this, he was bru­ entirely (if unself-consciously) con­ tally bashed about the head, and his gruent with a newer style ofwriting hands were systematically smashed that seeks to foreground the position­ with a length ofmetal pipe. Eleven ing of the writing subject. In this con­ hours later, he was left, apparently text, Silent Warriors stands not merely "free," to find his way home from as a personal chronicle ofthe turmoil Colo-i-Suva. in one person's life that results from Silent Warriors is a book by an aca­ abstract events like "military coups"; it demic, but in many ways it is not part also is a meditation on how one is posi­ of the usual academic genres. It does tioned as a subject by these plays of proffer interesting remarks on the "sec­ power. ond coming" ofthe expatriates (like Let me briefly indicate the nature of myself). It does speculate on the geopo­ this process. I begin with the macro­ litical position of Fiji in relation to its structural level ofFijian society. Even wealthier neighbors. And it does pro­ prior to the 1987 coups, the discourse pose the rudiments of a class analysis ofrace was a factor that determined ofthe military coups (as does Tupeni one's subject position. The 1970 consti­ Baba's introduction to the work). But it tution, for example, was weighted in is not a polished text; nor does it favour of "Fijians." When the coups mount a sharp or sustained academic occurred, the discourse ofrace was argument in any of the above fields. accented, and used as a ground of The initial account was obviously writ­ repression. The implicit "them and us" ten swiftly, away from home, over a structure was made explicit. At the period of months (and then revised). macrostructural level of Fiji society, The value of this text of life and therefore, people were forced to see work lies elsewhere. The anthropolo­ themselves as "Fijians" or as gist James Clifford has enjoined us to "Indians" (etc). recognize that "truths" are all partial: At the (microstructural) level of partial in the sense that they are at once constitution of an individual's subject­ incomplete (no view is ever "full") and position, one could simply accept the are committed (we all occupy ethni­ changes in status, or one could seek to cized, classed, gendered positions). contest them (in more or less major Clifford's suggestion is that we keep ways). Singh was one ofthe few who this in mind when we write our "histo­ overtly resisted. In a poignant section ries," that we try to state our "position" titled "A Lesson in Human Nature," as accurately as possible. Singh describes his dismay when he THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC. FALL 1993 realized that most other Indo-Fijians notices that there's a lesson in human were not going to demonstrate against nature to be learned from events like the constitution promulgated in 1990. the initial nonresponse to the promul­ gation ofthe 1990 constitution, he is I will never forget the lesson in human also able to speak hopefully of the nature that I acquired later that night-a lesson that I learnt through hard-hitting "brave few who have dedicated them­ personal experience. I had expected the selves to the democratic cause in news of the promulgation to excite high Fiji" (98). levels of emotions.... But there was And, let me say, democracy is a no reaction at all! Wherever I went that tough business. It's hard to define, and night, the small-talk centred as usual any worthwhile attempt at it calls for around daily happenings. The mundane the consideration of the position of and the trivial were still commanding others. In the twentieth century, people the entire attention of the Fiji Indians, in everywhere have been forced to relativ­ spite of their full knowledge of the ize their views (ofothers, ofthem­ momentous event that had just taken selves). This has occurred not just place. (36-37) because of the rise of mass communica­ The price of contesting the racially tions technology (television, telephone, based subject-position imposed by the etc), but also through the increased regime would prove high. speeds of migration and human bodily Singh argues throughout the book movements. The fact is, different peo­ that he was not the one "starting trou­ ples have different ways ofdoing ble." Perhaps a better way of putting things. One's own way, therefore, this heartfelt conviction would be to looks smaller in a shrinking cosmopoli­ see that the process of subject-creation tan world; it looks less absolute is inherently dialogic: we do not exist (because it exists side by side with in a vacuum; every action has about it other ways of doing things). the nature of a reaction. In this sense, One way of dealing with this situa­ Singh is contesting the racist designa­ tion is to reject everyone else's tion ofthe interim regime (just as some approach and to try to "close up," to of his compatriots were willing to try to retreat to some mythical past accept it). And the regime's response to golden age ofharmony. Such regressive his response was to abduct and tor­ thinking usually leads to xenophobia ture him. and general intolerance. Very often the In this context, Silent Warriors is discourses of "past golden ages" and of about human dignity, about the micro "tradition" are mobilized by interest and macro aspects of the very basics of groups willing to use people's fears for human rights. This is a book pleading their own political or economic ends. with the oppressed men and women of And yes, these discourses (in this case, this country to stand up so they do not of racism) are catching, even though it "become like a beggar race-a group of should be obvious that the "price" for lowly creatures willing to barter away speaking them (or allowing oneself to their self-respect for the smallest of be spoken by them) is high.