Pinochet pelted with eggs
WHILE aggressive protest is harder found in Fiji today, some forty years ago, a controversial Chilean president found he couldn't remain in Fiji due to public outcry.
The Fiji Times of Monday March 24, 1980, reported that President Augusto Pinochet returned to Chile within hours of arrival, cutting short his planned twoday visit to Fiji.
Following a hostile reception at Nadi Airport late on Saturday night, General Pinochet and his entourage of 70 Chileans returned from their hotel refuge to the presidential jet, only 11 hours after arrival in Fiji.
Angry demonstrators at the arrival entrance end, led by trade unionist Mr Apisai Tora, pelted eggs and cow dung at the black Government Mercedes carrying the President and his wife, Lucia from the airport.
The General Pinochet reportedly ducked as the eggs rained on the left side of the car while police motorbike riders forced back the demonstrators only metres away.
Within seconds the motorcade left the scene and headed off for the Regent of Fiji Hotel Denarau 15 kilometres from the airport.
Earlier the demonstrators, numbering about 700, took up the chant of "Chile yes, Pinochet no" and displayed placards and banners criticising the regime of General Pinochet.
The crowd grew as the 11pm time of arrival neared and when the motorcade left the terminal buildings there were about 1500 people standing on the edges of the dual carriageway at the airport entrance.
One hundred policemen from Nadi and Lautoka kept the crowd in order and the procession passed without serious incident, injury or any arrests being made.
The President arrived at the Regent Hotel just after midnight and was ushered to his room.
The next morning at 9.30 the Presidential group left the hotel and returned to the airport.
The Lan Chile presidential aircraft had been refuelled and serviced ready for the flight back to Chile.
At the airport entrance, the President was again met by Mr Apisai Tora, making rude gestures and swearing at him.