(o+) The Spectrum Saga

An Only Too Typical Story of Collusion between Inside "Sources", Blogs, the Media and Politicians: Twelve Days in November


"There's no denying that if you think them bad, they are bad and nothing they say or do will convince you otherwise."- Anon.

It all started a month or so ago when Streamcom NZ was hired to review the use of Fiji's airwaves.

Government was concerned about airwave efficiency and suspected earlier underhand dealings in their allocation. They must also have been aware -- but not necessarily influenced by knowing -- that the Fiji Broadcasting Commission (FBCL)  wanted an entry to TV and that MaiFM, recently awarded the 2010 Soccer World Cup televion rights, could only reach some urban areas using UHF. They needed a VHF channel to cover Fiji. 

D-Day. Thursday 12 November.  The President signed the National Spectrum Decree (No.48 of 2009). Its purpose  (clause 6a) was the fair allocation of airwaves to ensure economic efficiency, competition, and the public and national interest.  Current licensees were to continue operating on existing frequencies until actual airwave use and needs was determined.

For the record, this was not the only Decree promulgated this month although readers might think so. The foreign media published nothing on the Liquor, Income Tax, Gambling, Fiji Trust Fund, Crimes (making male customers of prostitutes equally wrong) Decrees, or the announced Child Welfare Decree which were all the product of an "illegal" President and regime.

When the foreign media finally picked up the Spectrum story on Saturday 21st, following two Coupfourpointfive blog postings on Thursday 19 (see below), only the possibly negative clauses were mentioned (no compensation to licensees if channels were changed or cancelled; no right of court appeal [decrees are laws; laws can be repealed but not appealed in any counry]; a fine or prison for non-compliance; the increased power of Sayed-Khaiyum (who happens to be the Minister responsible);and the possibly anti-democratic use of disclosed frequency information).

Bearing in mind Winston Churchill's warning "A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on," let us see what followed.

Saturday 14th. Radio Fiji reports on the Decree, with Khaiyum's explanations. Geographical Media publishes the Decree.

Sunday 15th. FijiLive refers indirecly to the Decree ("improvement of info-commercial infrastructure.")

Tuesday 17th. FijiTV reports the Decree on its 6pm news.  There's still no mention by anti-Government blogs or the foreign media.

Thursday 19th, 8:14pm. Auckland-based blog Coupfourpointfive publishes "Analsyis of National Spectrum Decree" based on what its [inside Fiji] "sources say." In addition to the negatives cited above and the assumed benefits to FBCL (whose chief executive is the younger brother of the Minister Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum), the blog says disclosure of airwave fequency details will allow Government to "eavesdrop" on all telecommunications.

Friday 20th, 8:42am.  Coupfourpointfive publishes "NZ Firm Carried Out Spectrum Study" stating that Streamcom has no expertise in this area. Wellington-based blog FijiCoup2006 publishes the Coupfourpointfive item at 1:32pm.

Saturday 21th (but Friday 20 USA time). Blog RawFijiNews writes of "the sudden and until now unreported promulgation" (sic!) and publishes the Coupfourpointfive post. Also in the USA, blog FijiNews.ning publishes the RawFijiNews item.

Saturday 21th (in Fiji, Australia and NZ).

Fiji Sun prints Khaiyum's "Get Your Facts Right" address to Australia and NZ leaders. (The on-line edition did not appear until Monday but the ANZ HighComs should have been able to contact Canberra and Wellington before this.)

At 2:20pm FijiLive publishes "State to Regulate Telecom Providers" that briefly mentions the Spectrum Decree's "rationalization."
At noon Australian EST The Rupert Murdoch-owned The Australian publishes Rowan Callick's "Fiji Strips Licences from Broadcasters." Callick repeats the negatives mentioned above, cites Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith repeating the same negatives: the Attorney-General's "absolute power" (Khaiyum is actually the Minister responsible); no appeal to courts; "effectively seizing" the licences; no compensation; five years jail; FBCL will gain at expense of FijiTV -- that is owned by Yasana Holdings that "represents the 14 ethnic Fijian provinces" (sic!)
At 3:45pm Melbourne's HeraldSun (another Murdock paper) reports Smith saying it's a "very bad sgn"; Khaiyum can strip broadcasters licences "at whim," and he'll raise the new Fiji situation at the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers' meeting in Trinidad on Tuesday.
At 7:38pm NZ's Pacific Scoop publishes The Australian story.
At 9:16pm RadioNZ does the same.

Sunday 22nd (but Saturday 21 in the USA). At 7:19am FijiToday publishes "Fiji Radio Spectrum Nationalized" and quotes from The Australian.


Sunday 22nd (in Fiji, Australia and NZ).
At 6:31am RadioNZ cites The Australian and Smith's remarks.
At 12:48pm Coupfourpointfive copies and publishes Callick's The Australan article via AAP.
At 2:30pm RadioNZ reported "NZ 'Disturbed' at Reports of Fiji Media Clampdown". The item, copied by PacificMediaWatch, reported the NZ Government was "disappointed" with the "revocation" of broadcastng licences; quoted Smith's earlier remarks; said that Fiji media had to "justify" their airwave use; quoted Khaiyum ("It's to plan a future better use.."); cited Foreign Minister McCully spokesman ("it's determined to limit any public criticism"); said Media Freedom Committee spokesman Tim Pankhurst wanted more pressure on Fiji; to conclude with Australian media "Fiji's TV and radio broadcast this weekend on a temporary basis." [As if they were all to be put off air any minute.]
At 4:34pm NewsTalkZB reported McCully as disappointed and saying Khaiyum's explanation "doesn't wash."
PacificMediaWatch published Saturday's HeraldSun report.

Monday 23rd.
FijiToday in the USA (Sunday 10:45am) reported RadioNZ's "Clampdown" item.
FijiSun on-line publishes Khaiyum's "Get Your Facts Right" item.
Khaiyum said ANZ were making "false allegations and misleding comments" and urged them to read the Decree. He said spectrum allocations will follow a tender process that will "complement Government's objective of transparency and accountability and minimize corruption."
RadioNZ at 6:59am  in "No Threat to Freedom of Expression in Fiji" reports Communications Fiji, that has 60 percent of the Fiji radio market, CEO William Parkinson as saying he "does not fear anything sinister. The haphazardly-managed airwaves are due for a shake-up." Canterbury Uni Jim Tully, however, said government control of ariwaves threatens freedom of speech, especially in remote [sic!] island nations such as Fiji which rely heavily on broadcast media."
At 10:08am EST an ABC interview with John Westland of Radio Australia "Interim Fiji Government Revokes Broadcasting Licences" had Westland talk of the "taking away of licences" and it having more to do with "who gets a licence," before he went on to say: "Frankly [with so little detail] we just don't know." Much of the interview is repeated on the Radio Australia News at 1pm EST.
At 12:20pm FijiCoup2006 publishes Khaiyum's FijiSun item.
PacificMediaWatch reports that Fiji MaiTV welcomes the Decree. CEO Richard Broadbridge said they'd applied for a VHF licence nearly two years ago but had had to use UHF even though one broadcaster had more VHF channels than needed. He called the Decree "a step in the right direction to ensure all broadcasters are treated fairly, and that TV and radio stations are available to users easier and cheaper."
At 8pm FijiCoup2006 reprints the AAP on Smith saying the Decree was "a very bad signal".  and did not remove the error about the "14 ethnic Fijian provinces."

And since some will think me "bad" for publishing this, and "There's no denying that if you think them bad, they are bad and nothing they say or do will convince you otherwise," three more bad thoughts won't hurt: Who are Coupfourpointfive's inside sources? Are they journalists like themselves?  How is it that Rowan Callick and The Australian get so much inside information from Fiji?  Is it merely coincidental that The Fiji Times, The Australian and the HeraldSun are all owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, that also owns major papers in every Australian city, Wellington's DominionPost, and, incidentally, the Wall Street Journal and The Times?


And they talk of power, and control of the media!

UPDATE
Monday 23rd. At about 12:00pm (USA?) Solivakasamablog asks "Is there a Muslim conspiracy occurring in Fiji? (with the two Khaiyums, two Shameems and Aziz involved)....How can Indigenous Fijians sit and watch while these evil people tear their beloved Fiji apart?" and then reprinting Saturday's HeraldSun story. A reader writes of Al Qaeda cells!
At about 9pm (USA?) Solivakasama reprints Saturday's The Australian article, and under a heading "All Talk No Action for Oinklets" says he "can't wait to see the boys froom Delainabua [military baarracks] sink their shiny boots into their [oinklets'] smugness." ws from Fiji?

Snippets: Name Changes, Crime, Bomb Threats, Child Welfare Decree, National Spectrum Decree

(+) SCHOOL NAMES THAT DENOTE RACIAL AFFILIATIONS (Fijian, Indian) are to be phased out, as recommended in the People's Charter.Head of the Strategic Framework for Change, Filimoni Kau (photo Fiji Village), said they had informed the Education Ministry of this directive and the onus was on the Ministry to inform all schools.

Work is also underway on the process of having a common name for all Fiji citizens(with indigenous Fijians to be called i-Taukei) and the abolition of race-based entry qualification for scholarships. Kau said common name consultations requires a lot of work. The outcome will be included in the new constitution.Full story.

(+) SUVA'S REPORTED CRIMES HAVE DROPPED to 1360 from 2285 at the same time last year, and work between Police,City Council and the public hopes to make the capital crime-free.  Initiatives include community involvement in four "crime watch" zones; crime prevention committees; and an aggressive approach towards addressing crime which included stop and search on suspects, apprehending warrantees, and frequent raids on drug dealers, bootleggers and pawn shops. Full story.

(o) WITH TWO BOMB THREATS (BUT NO BOMBS) THIS WEEK, Defence Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau thinks they are the work of pranksters but does not exclude political motivations. He said "there were some people who still did not agree with current leaders and they would always intervene with the stability of the Government ... bomb threats and death threats were not something new, because they had gone through a lot since the beginning of the year." The phone calls "targeted" the Suva Central hotel and TFL National Stadium. Full story.

(o) THE DRAFTING OF A CHILD WELFARE DECREE has been approved by Cabinet. The Decree results from an increase in child welfare litigation for physical and sexual abuse, neglect and deaths. Under present legislation medical professionals are not legally bound to report such cases. This results in under-reporting and the notion that the welfare of Fiji's children can never be adequately addressed due to paucity of reports and information.    Full story.

(-) POTENTIALLY SINISTER USES OF NATIONAL SPECTRUM DECREE  The Australian appears to have picked up a report from Coupfourpointfive about Government's new powers over radio frequencies. Full report.  

Coupfourpointfive provides a detailed analysis of the new decree's possible uses and abuses. I'll make up my mind on the decree when I have more information. But with three blog blockages in three weeks (and possible leaks in IP security) Government does seem to have stepped up its internet surveillence. Perhaps with good cause if the bomb threats reported above were politically motivated.  Full report.

(+) POSTSCRIPT. I will be commenting on the last item as soon as I've finished tracing the threads. Meanwhile, I'm not convinced with the spin from blogs and the overseas media. One correction: The Australian report appears to have preceeded Coupfourpointfive, though both could receive their information from the same (journalist?) sources within Fiji. And both put the worst possible interpretation on what may just be a move to rationalise radio and TV wavelengths.  Neither commented on the Liquor, Income Tax, and Gambling Decrees also announced this month. Couldn't they find something wrong with them, too?

(o) Iconic Kiwi Biscuit Made in Fiji; Negative Blog Report

STOP PRESS. Click here for the Fiji reaction.

  
Griffin, NZ-biscuit makers since 1864, is "outsourcing" some of its production to Fiji.   

The NZ reactions?

• Manufacturer: "did not believe the political situation in Fiji would affect the company."
• Union (looking after its members):"It's a surprise to me – I thought it was all made here."
• Green Party  MP Keith Locke:  Griffins could be exploiting poor worker conditions in Fiji. "There is effectively a dictatorship in Fiji [which] has undermined the ability of unions to operate freely and to maintain or improve the conditions of the workers." 

The facts? 

• The NZ Union was unable to prevent Griffin closed its Lower Hutt factory a year ago with a loss of 228 jobs.  The outsourcing is not directly related to the closure although both, of course, are to do with costs and profits. 
• Wages are lower in Fiji (hence the move) but isn't providing on-going jobs, helping Fiji exports and restoring a little of the massive NZ-Fiji trade imbalance, less patronising than giving aid?  
• The Fiji Government has introduced minimum wages in a raft of industries. This is something no previous government has done and something unions had little to nothing to do with.The initiative, Keith, came from the "dictatorship."
  

The DominionPost went to the trouble of interviewing the manufacturer, the union, an MP, and conducted a street survey comparing samples of NZ- and Fiji-made biscuits. One person preferred the Fiji biscuit, but wanted to buy Kiwi-made, and was quite dumbfounded to learn Fiji was producing the new biscuits. "Wasn't there a coup happening, and they're making biscuits there?" (She now knows two things about Fiji!)

The ultimate irony: Griffin is owned by Australian-based Pacific Equity Partners, and is no longer a Kiwi firm at all.  Pity the paper doesn't spend as much energy researching Fiji -- and educating the public that countries can have coups and still make biscuits! Full story.


What's in a Word? A Lot


Coupfourpointfive reports the Government-EU meeting under the banner "Regime Begs EU for Sugar Funding". Begs? Asks? Explains? The posting was otherwise informative but the heading led readers towards the interpretations intended: the loss of EU help due to the Coup, the "contradiction" between Kubuabola's "plea" and  Bainimarama's stance and "change of tune", and, of course, the downturn in sugar production caused by you-who-know. Journalists are, of course, entitled to their own opinions but opininons and polemics should not be presented as news. Things are bad. The sugar industry is in crisis, as it has been for several years. And the EU and Government, as reported earlier in this blog, "will now follow-up on the major outcomes of the discussion with the aim of ultimately resuming formal consultations."   

Oppose the Government by all means, Coupfourpointfive, but less negative reporting would not detract from your cause -- it may even help it.

Lockington’s Everyday Fiji .. Life Goes On

 Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in www.connectme.com.fj/news/opinion. I thank Allen and Connect for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

The Phoney War

Anyone remember in the late 80s when supermarkets in Suva had a price war. Woolworths, Burns Philips, J Santa Ram and R B Patel are some of the big names that come to mind. While they tried to outdo each other offering very low prices, the consumer benefited. It became ridiculous - the good kind of ridiculous.

Now we are experiencing another price war. Our telephone companies are trying to outdo each other. Digicel and Vodafone have always been seeing to be at each other’s “throat”, so to speak.

But we forget about Telecom Fiji. They said “Hey, yoo-hoo, hang on we are here to.” They dropped reconnection fees and offered double ups and other incentives. Life is good or what!

Digicel came up with a fantastic offer – “Top up and get $100 free talk time”. Vodafone, not to be out done went one step better and offered a quadruple up, amongst other things. TFL may do something – seeing they also have mobile phones.

They way the price way is going I wonder if one of them will offer free calls. Well just for few days would do us good.

But this is one fight I will encourage. And like we say in Waiyavi “Fire, maro.”

Daylight Saving This Weekend

 Government's reintroduction of daylight saving will see Fiji clocks  advanced one hour at 2am this Sunday morning, 29th November, and  put back one hour at 3am Sunday 25th April next year.

(G) Government Reports Back on EU Trip: Commitment to Reform

PM Bainimarama, reporting on his trip to the European Union in Brussels, said had he discussed changes that will be made to the 1997 Constitution that deal with the rule of law, the judiciary, human rights and democratic principles with the EC’s Director General for Development, Stefano Manservisi and his advisors.He  assured them of government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, the strengthening of the judiciary, respect for human rights and respect for democratic principles.

He said this commitment was evident in the decreeing of recent new legislation “and the resurrection by decree of those essential elements of the abrogated constitution dealing with such matters”.

Bainimarama also briefed the EC officials on the programmes of institutional, judicial, constitutional and electoral reforms that are in place to begin in 2010 and in subsequent years and the reasons for these reforms, and issues pertaining to the Strategic Framework for Change, the National Dialogue Forum and the Public Emergency Regulation.

Senior EC and Fiji government officials will now follow-up on the major outcomes of the discussion with the aim of ultimately resuming formal consultations. Full story.

(o+) President Aims to Unite Chiefs

The President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, intends to reconcile all chiefs within Fiji. He said it wasthe will of the people that all chiefs unite. Ratu Epeli is optimistic that despite the differences, dialogue could be maintained among the chiefly.

"Reconciling the chiefs is an ongoing process," he said."We have our differences. I have differences even with my close friends who happen to be chiefs but it is not the end of the world because there is always a way out of a sticky situation."

"As the representative of the people I have to be open, listen to people and hear what they have to say.We might have our differences but it doesn't stop me from trying to work things out."

To carry out the reconciliation process, Ratu Epeli said he would need to visit the 14 provinces in the country."It's a matter of making the arrangements and planning them." He made the comment during his tour of Macuata, the first province he visited after he became President.

Ratu Epeli is expected to visit the Western Division next week."I've been meeting the people and seen positive signs of what they want to achieve and the way the community has rallied behind their developments especially in schools."That is the basis of all this.

"If we can get it right at the beginning, it will augur well for the future."

-- Fiji Times, Wednesday, November 18, 2009

(o+) Govt Insists on Development Money Accountability: Part of Roadmap

Hi Croz – did you see this story on North Projects Worry State in Tuesday's Fiji Sun? It is a very good example of why there has to be accountability at all levels and why there has to be change of attitude in Fiji in order to achieve accountability and transparency. Loloma, L.

The story (extracts below) concerned under-used goverment money and incomplete government-funded village projects included community halls, water sources, housing and toilets.

Strategic Framework for Change Northern Coordinator, Kisoko Cagituevei, said “If we cannot help ourselves then it would be impossible for others to help us. We are now preaching about changes Government is making on the need to monitor Government-funded development projects.”

He told chiefs and district representatives of Macuata in Vanua Levu that all Government ministries and agencies would be monitored and assessed on the implementation of all the objectives of the roadmap. “Development cannot take place, if we do not monitor operations. It is important that district meetings need to be frequently done where issues should be ironed out.We are here to make sure that Government funds are put to good use. We cannot continue to receive development materials from Government if we don't monitor projects and complete it accordingly."

The Public Service Commission has a new department which facilitates the implementation work for the Roadmap and the Strategic Framework for Change.  Full story.

Cibi Victim to Mistaken Religious Intolerance

Fiji's decision on religious grounds not to perform the cibi, or war chant, before Saturday's rugby test against Scotland in Edinburgh has polarized the deeply religious but rugby-mad nation. Full story.

(o) Snippets: Pensions, Debt, NLTB, Prices, Brij Lal, ECREA "Widespread Dialogue" , HIV/AIDS, PSYCHIATRIC CARE

A UNIVERSAL PENSION SCHEME for people who are not civil servants or member of the Fiji National Provident Fund is being called for by Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) Director Hassan Khan (photo Fiji Village). Full story.

GOVERNMENT DEBT was $3.066bn or 51.3% of GDP at the end of June, compared with $2.769Bn and 47% of GDP at the same time last year. Cash flow data, however, showed a net surplus of $39.6m for the first five months of this year, and revenue collection increased 6.5%. Full story.

FORMER NATIVE LANDS AND TRUST BOARD General and Legal Managers have pleaded not guilty of conspiracy to defraud the Vanua Development Scheme, the business  arm of NLTB,of trust funds totalling $3.7m. Full story.

A PROPOSAL BY THE PRICES AND INCOMES BOARD to control prices of 24 items has been rejected by Government. The Board claimed widespread inconsistencies in retail prices for these items. Government said the move would have created distortions in the economy, is anti-business and is not an effective means to cushion those on low incomes from inflation.Business is reported to have breathed a sigh of relief. Full report.

 

BRIJ LAL says "academic duty and a sense of outrage" drove him to speak out against the expulsion of the Australian and NZ High Commissioners. Speaking of his part on work leading to the 1997 Constitution, he said the constitution "that resulted was not reframed exactly as he  and his colleagues recommended."  Full report.

ECREA's CHANTELLE KHAN is urging Government "to encourage widespread involvement in an upcoming forum on the nation's future." The National Dialogue for Fiji's Future will build on the issues raised by the People's Charter and will probably not include former political leaders. Khan says she understands it can be very difficult to make progress in discussions when sectors stick to their individual agendas, but ECREA experience has shown the importance of hearing diverse opinions. -- RNZI.

THE PRESIDENT SAYS HIV/AIDS is a "profound threat in Fiji and the region,"and has called for joint efforts to fight against the disease. Senior Medical Officer Dr Ilisipeci Vereti, also speakng on the proposed HIV Prevention Treatment Decree, said the CWM Hospital is urging expectant mothers to be tested for HIV. This follows the death of several babies. Full report.

ST GILES PSYCHIATRTIC HOSPITAL has won an award from the Asian Federation of  Psychiatric Association (AFPA) for its improved services.  Full report.

Kua Hinga te Totara Nui

A NZ Ambassador Who Stood Taller 
than the Others: 

A Tribute to His Excellency Te Rongotoa (Tia) Barrett

Thakur Ranjit Singh

The passing away of a gentleman and a career diplomat Tia Barret came as a shock to those who knew him. As somebody who was fortunate to have met him in Fiji between 1998 and 2001 when he was heading our High Commission in Suva, I always had a desire to re-establish that contact here, but that dream will now remain unfulfilled by his sudden departure.

He was in Suva during very troubled times with two significant events. The first was the takeover of the Chaudhary government by George Speight in May, 2000 and the second one was the attempt on the life of Commodore Bainimarama by rebel soldiers on 2 November, 2000 through a mutiny.

During those troubled times, he was holding the fort at NZ High Commission and was an exemplary ambassador for Aotearoa, and added pride to this profession by standing stall and being different from other ambassadors by talking his mind without any fear of speaking the truth, even if it meant crossing the boundaries guarded by strict diplomatic protocols.

When the AUT’s Pacific Media Centre’s Dr. David Robie was heading the Journalism School at USP, in Suva, His Excellency Tia Barrett was the Chief Guest at the Journalism Awards almost nine years ago, on 24 November, 2000. The address he gave to the graduating students is still fresh in my mind and it had ruffled a few feathers in the then Interim Fiji regime, some of who still harboured ethno-nationalism and beat the indigenous drums.

While himself being indigenous person of Aotearoa, he was bold to have gone beyond the call of his duty to put the ethno-nationalists in their place.

“What is difficult to accept in this dialogue on indigenous rights is the underlying assumption that those rights are pre-eminent over other more fundamental human rights. This just cannot be so, not in today's world. Where the confusion lies, in my view, is with the thought that indigenous people have a prior right over land and the sea and their resources and therefore by extension over the political, economic and social institutions of a country,” he had told the Fijian students.

He had reminded the journalism students that nowhere was it written in any holy scripture that because you were indigenous, you had first rights over others in their daily rights. He had maintained that one should be respected and highly regarded as an indigenous person, but respect was earned and not obtained on demand. He reminded that while the Compact of 1997 Constitution of Fiji accorded a special place for the indigenous Fijians in the polity of the nation, the respect there still needed to be earned.

His talk some nine years ago was so prophetic and would be well remembered by the elements in the Maori community in the recent controversy on the indigenous issue. What he had said in Suva in 2000 would have stood tall in that controversy:

“Being indigenous, in my view, demands high levels of achievement and competency in both our traditional cultural values and in the demands of today's globalised world. That is a tall order, and requires more of us indigenous peoples than of the non-indigenous. But in fact, I think the well-educated, well-rounded, successful indigenous person stands tall as an outstanding achiever. Unfortunately, there are so few although there are examples in both your and my history.”

Barrett had even ventured to lecture to the chiefs about their role and also the responsibilities of Churches, both of which were found to be wanting by the current Fiji regime. What people like Tia Barrett in diplomatic positions proved is that diversity in such positions enriched the profile of the country and if any lessons are to be learnt is that a diplomat like Tia Barrett in Fiji would have been well placed to bridge the huge chasm that currently exists between the two countries.

He had lectured the journalists on the concept of development journalism where the timely and accurate facts fulfilled the thirst for knowledge so that people could make the changes needed to improve their lives in this globalised world. Whether Fiji journalist heeded this call remains debatable, but what is certain is that modern –day ambassadors in troubled countries like Fiji have much to learn from His Excellency Tia Barrett. His departure leaves a huge vacuum in his line of thinking of the Pacific issues and we hope New Zealand continues to be blessed with proud sons like Tia Barrett.

On behalf of my former country-people from Fiji, I join in to extend our condolences to the Barrett family. May his soul rest in peace.

(Thakur Ranjit Singh is a postgraduate student in Communication studies at AUT, and had met Tia Barrett in Fiji whilst he was the Publisher of Fiji’s Daily Post)

(o+) Oz NZ-Fiji Relations, Blog Blocks, Anti-Govt Blogs

What a weekend!

Fiji lost to Scotland, and I've spent too much of the weekend, with help from friends in Fiji, trying to find out why blog links to Fiji were down again.  More on this below.

One interesting development over the past few days had been the mounting calls for the NZ and Aust.Governments to take a re-look at relations with Fiji. Nik Naidu of the Auckland-based Coalition for Democracy in Fiji, for one thinks their attempts to "steer Fiji more quickly towards democracy isn’t working.” He says the Fiji Government is now even more entrenched, and he can't understand why ANZ won't engage directly with Bainimarama. They "must take an unusual approach to the situation with Fiji for the sake of its people," he said.

The Fiji New Zealand Business Council has taken a similar line.It says "there comes a point when countries need to be co-operating to boost trade and forestall the impacts of the global recession." The Council called on NZ to drop its travel ban on Fiji "as a demonstration of goodwill."

Dr Rod Alley of the NZ Centre for Strategic Studies, however, said "there's no point  [of dealing directly with Bainimarama]... the man’s conduct lately has been pretty obdurate and these options of somehow getting a line to Bainimarama are going to take patience and I’m afraid some time.” [I know Rod from way back. Much of what he writes on many topics makes sense, but I don't know how a political scientist can comment on a situation as complex as Fiji's with so little direct experience of the country. And I don't know why the NZ media keeps seeking comment from similar experts.]

To cap it off, tonight's TV1 Sunday programme Discussion with a Dictator (sic!) interviewed Bainimarama who, in explanation of the HighCom expulsions, said "We wanted to tell NZ we can't stand any more bullying." Before you listen to the full interview (see below), be warned you'll hear the same old questions, see the same old flashbacks, and once again hear of the plight of Barbara Dreaver (The interviewer said she can't visit her family in Fiji. Bainimarama replied that many of his people had similar difficulties visiting NZ!) and Netani Rika who has hidden "4,200 censored news items" for later use. The positives mentioned? Subsidized school lunches and free buses. But they never really got around to talking about Bainimarama's plans for the future -- which Bainimarama had been told the interview was supposed to be about.

Sunday: Discourse with a dictator - Part 1 (8:15)

Sunday: Discourse with a dictator - Part 2 (7:28)

Blocked Blogs
The recent event that most affected me was the (hopefully temporary) blocking by Fiji internet service providers (Fintel, Kidanet, et al.) of all blog sites with blogspot and wordpress addresses. I am informed Government instructed the blocking, but this is denied by some readers.

Earlier in the week I added links to anti-government blogs and then removed them. The first act was a flamboyant display of democracy intended to encourage a reciprocal display by these blogs, almost all of which only provide links to other anti-government blogs.  Then events brought me back to earth. The second act was because, after reading some of their recent postings and comments -- and having their advocacy of violence pointed out to me by a comment on the posting An Appeal for Your Help (S.O.S.) -- I considered it inappropriate to provide access to what could be their very dangerous advocacy. These people denounce Bainimarama's "overthrow of the rule of law" and then curiously advocate, bluntly and by interference, his murder?


I found readers' comments on the S.O.S. post (currently 22) on the blocking and blogsites most interesting and I think you will, too. And while you're looking, please help me by answering the four S.O.S. questions that were the purpose of this posting -- until it was so neatly hijacked for a higher cause.  You may do so either by adding a comment to the post or by emailing me croz.walsh@xtra.co.nz

The weekend was made worse by the continuing run of appalling weather. I’m not sure who we can blame.

An Appeal for Your Help (S.O.S.)

In two weeks time I'm giving a paper in Auckland at the Pacific Islands Political Science Association conference. The paper is titled Political Blogs on Fiji:Cybernet Democracy or What?

There are three areas where I especially need your help, although your comments and ideas are welcome on anything relevant. They are:

1. Other blogs. Anything you can tell me on where they are located and the general identity (no names needed) of their publishers.

2. Among the people you know, who reads blogs? My impression (and I could be quite wrong) is that most readers are ethnic Fijians and Others (few Indo-Fijans answered my poll questions and there's no other way I can identify readers' ethnicity). Most people only read blogs that agree with the way they think?

3. Your opinions on the indirect and direct influences of blogs, particularly on the Fiji Government, anti-Government and the "middle ground" in Fiji, and on public opinion, the media and politicans overseaas, most especially in Australia and New Zealand.  Do you think blogs can influence and change people's opinions?

Unfortunately, there's no reward, but your help on all or any of these topics really will be appreciated. You don't need to write a lot. Anything, however brief, will be useful. Please reply by commenting on this post or by emailing me croz.walsh@xtra.co.nz 

If you intend to help, please do so now or ASAP. Time is running out.

Illustration,Morse code for SOS by Fondear

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

 Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in www.connectme.com.fj/news/opinion. I thank Allen and Connect for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

The Babies' Clinic in Lautoka

Once again I am gathering support for  the Babies Clinic In Lautoka. When I first wrote about it,  I had been reassured that the road was going to be upgraded so that buses would go up Old Hospital Road and down the other side. It is now some time since then and our mothers are still struggling.

Old Hospital Road is in the heart of Lautoka City. Surely all roads should be in good condition if they are in the City? The added need is our mothers’ plight; they carry with them our “future”. Though many of the mothers who trudge up that hill in the raging sun or rain may be poor, who knows which of those poor babies will grow up to be a statesman, professor, teacher, doctor, pilot, engineer, Prime Minister!

When the Babies Clinic was relocated to Vidilo House it was on the understanding that public transport would follow simultaneously. To date it has not happened. Have the poor been taken for granted?

Each day I go past, I see mothers with babies in arms and toddlers resting along Old Hospital Road in an attempt to regain strength to continue  their journey up or down.

Have a heart, someone, and  please do something. Do we have to wait until one of the babies  grows up to become an engineer and  repair the road? Under the present situation, it may never happen.

 FijiLive runs an on-line poll on sporting and political issues. Here are most of the political issues polled for the past two years. Such polls are, of course, only indicative of the opinions of those who read FL and answered the poll questions, and  responses at each date reflect the news and mood at that specific time. Answers could be quite different if a question were again asked six months later. Nonetheless, there are some "constants:" 

On most issues people were evenly divided (40-60% range; topics underlined scored over 70%)) but most pollsters: (1) thought Australia and NZ should ease up on Fiji, (2) Accepted the reasons for Fiji's international exclusions; (3) thought Fiji should not retaliate, (4) were in no great hurry for elections. They thought other issues should be fixed first and that electoral reform should precede elections, (5) were not happy with former PM Qarase and his SDL party, lawyers and the Great Council  of Chiefs, (6) accepted the need to abrogate the Constitution, (7) were uneasy about the Police Christian Crusade but thought religion and political did mix, (8) thought leaders should co-operate with Bainimarama, the PPDF and People's Chartert initiatives although most thought them a waste of money (a poor, mixed question), (9) thought international community should support Bainimrama's roadmap and elections in 2014, (10) the media hadn't given the Interim Government fair coverage, (11) Fiji is ready for a commoner President. The poll order is from most (7 Nov 2009) to least recent (20 Mar 2008).

Read more »

(+) Fiji Times Does it Again!

This is an email I received from a reader.

Dear Croz Walsh
It was interesting reading the different reports about Fiji Remembrance Day yesterday. The Fiji Times heading “Oz, NZ, Bainimarama, no show at dawn service” implies something very different to what is reported on the Fijilive website. “Politics aside: Aust, NZ join Fiji celebration.”

Fijilive says that Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama did not attend the service as he has left for a two week tour of Rome and Brussels (see below). Fiji Times did not report this fact so what is the truth? Which media organisation is reporting truthfully?


Fiji Sun reports that Mr Bainimarama left the country last night for a two-day tour to Rome and one week tour of Brussels to meet the European Commission (Official clarifies Rome trip.)
So is the Fiji Times mischief making or deliberately leaving out some of the facts to make Frank Bainimarama look as if he doesn’t care about Remembrance Day?

Another Fiji Times report in the same issue by  reporter Jone Luvenitoga states:
New Zealand and Australian representatives were notably absent, as well as army commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.

 But the FijiLive report cited above reads differently:
Acting Australian High Commissioner, Sarah Roberts, and New Zealand’s Acting Head of Mission, Cecilia Warren, joined close to 100 Fiji ex-servicemen and members of the public in the celebration at Ratu Sukuna Park. 

What’s more, the two reports within the Fiji Times contradict each other and the Fijilive report is a very different account so which one is true?

Is Fiji Times manipulating the news because they have the pip with Bainimarama’s government or are they telling a truthful account of Remembrance Day?


How do we here in New Zealand know which report is truthful?

“White Frangipani”

(+) The Morality and Purpose of Media "Leaks"

There is a very interesting comment to this post. Click on Comments below to read it.

I invite you to look at this article in The Australian and further comment by Coupfourpointfive and then consider the following:

Chief Justice Gates sent PM Bainimarama a memo about the difficulties experienced by the Sri Lankan judges in obtaining transit visas through Australia. The memo was "leaked" to the media.

Within hours, Bainimarama said he would expell top diplomats from the Australian and New Zealand High Coms. But Bainimarama had threatened this action earlier, according to another "leaked"email, this time from one of the judges to the Sri Lankan Honorary Consul in Suva.

The email, and a letter to both High Coms written by Foreign Affairs Secretary Solo Mara, were then "leaked," directly or indirectly to The Australian.

A copy of this email sent to Bainimarama was also then "leaked" to the media. And a copy of the Aust.High Com's telephone conversation with one of the Sri Lankan judges was "obtained" by Canberra and passed on to the media. 

Which leaves one thinking.  Why all these "leaks"? Isn't it a form of stealing?  Who is leaking this information? To what purpose? What is the purpose of publishing it?  And why are there no "leaks" sought or published by the media from Australian and New Zealand sources? Why do they only "leak" one way? 


If the foreign media and anti-government blogs  have the influence and resources for such "investigative journalism, why are their other pubications on Fiji generally so impoverished? Does the ongoing publication of this sort of information --much of it second-hand, based on rumour and speculation -- really help Fiji to "move on"?  Does it make the Fiji Government feel less threatened and help ease tensions with other countries? Will it take Fiji a step closer to lifting the Public Emergency Regulations and the resumption of dialogue?

These are the questions that patriotic Bloggers and Leakers who are opposed to the Government should be asking themselves.

To Fiji Readers and Their Overseas Friends

UPDATE: Fiji access to most if not all blogspot and wordpress sites has now been restored. According to Alterego (see comments, below) who rang Kidanet (one of Fiji's ISPs) the sites were blocked following "a directive from Government.

One commentator thought me wrong to implicate Government unless I had proof (I tried, but proof and indeed much more essential information is almost impossible to obtain thanks to PER and other communication restrictions. The benefits of lifting PER far exceed the disadvantages.)

Other commentators though my post unhelpful in Fiji's present situation (I think it especially helpful at this time precisely because of the situation); that Coupfourpointfive is not a moderate blog (it's anti-government, but relative to many others, I think it moderate), and that I should remove my links to anti-Government blogs. (If I did this, I would be as intolerant as they are. It is not enough to "know your enemy,"you must also talk with them.)

Lest there be any doubt, I support what Government says it is trying to do, and I will continue to expose faulty reporting, unbalanced, negative comments, and unhelpful foreign policies on Fiji. But I will also comment on those Government actions I think run counter to its own, and Fiji's, best interests. To not comment would be to do Government a disservice!

(o) The Brij Lal Incident: Disentangling the Consequences

All acts have consequences. In Brij's case, from one act (and a history of previous acts) there were three consequences in Fiji and more, in happier circumstances, in Australia.

The act? Giving interviews to foreign media when on a visitor's visa to Fiji where emergency regulations are in place expressly forbidding such activities. While his criticism of the Government was relatively mild, any such statement put him in breach of his visa requirements and the Public Emergency Regulations. This assessment makes no judgment on PER. It merely recognized its reality.

The consequences?  First, the detention. We may not like it, and it certainly should have been by the police, and not the army, but the detention was almost inevitable because of what Brij said, where and when he said it, and who he is. And surely Brij must have known this.

Secondly, the interrogation at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks. He should have been taken to the Suva Central police station, not the barracks. He should have been formally charged, and granted access to a lawyer. I suspect his treatment at the barracks was worse than verbal abuse, even though he denies this. Fiji's police and military have a long and unfortunate record of sometimes roughly treating those they detain for questioning. I doubt Government ordered his poor treatment. The telephone call during the interrogation, and the better treatment when the interrogating officer returned, suggests the interrogators were told to stop.

Thirdly, the deportation. Had Brij retained his Fiji citizenship (or successfully applied for dual citizenship) this would not have occurred.

Conclusion? The de facto Fiji Government was within its rights in detaining, interrogating and deporting Brij. But not in how the military exercised these rights. This is where those criticizing these consequences should direct their attention.

Of the Australian consequences, the incident has enhanced Brij's academic and political standing. Briefly, in many people's eyes, he is a hero and even something of a martyr.

But the incident has done nothing to take Fiji forward, and it has further distanced Brij from any chance of future involvement in Fiji's political process. Had he been more circumspect (and earlier shown some willingness to detach himself from his partisan past), he could have played an important role in the dialogue and reconciliation that must come in Fiji someway further down the road.

From Australia, Brij sent this message to friends in Fiji: "I am touched by the messages of support. Please extend to everyone my sincere thanks. Silence in the face of oppression is not an option, and speaking up for the values of a humane society is not a crime."

Thus, for the time being, Brij has the final word. And the military, in its clumsiness, has made another hero, and lost the Bainimarama Government some support. If both really want to find a peaceful solution to Fiji's imbroglio,  this is not the way to go about it.

Logo: Clean up Fiji. Fiji Times.

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in www.connectme.com.fj/news/opinion. I thank Allen and Connect for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

Inspiration

The picture of Paralympiam Iliesa Delana clearing the high jump bar should be an inspiration for the able bodied person.

For a disabled person to be physically active in sports is a phenomenon.
Grammatically the words disabled and sports should not be used to describe a physical activity. But as shown by Iliesa - disability is not a barrier.There are many able bodied persons in Fiji who will take sick leave if they get a headache in their big toe. The paralympics has shown us if there is a will - disability is not an issue.

A huge able-bodied vinaka to Iliesa and all the Paralympiams, you are an inspiration. The only thing left is for the TV companies to lift the athletes enthusiasm and show the games live. So that able bodied couch potato can get of their backsides and get involved physically.

(o+) The Australian Criticizes Hard Stance on Fiji; New Promulation Protects Women, Road Map, Mindpearl

Before taking a breather from the tense and disputed happenings of the past few days, I invite readers to reflect on the insight of today's NZ Herald one-eyed editorial in which it claimed "With every such incident, the regime becomes more malodorous to the people of this country." I suggest the anonymous editor talk around a little and ponder why NZ tourist numbers are up.

 Across the "ditch" The Australia-Fiji Business Council has called on the Australian Government to soften its hard-line stance saying it's bad for business and hurting ordinary Fijians.

Greg Sheridan in The Australian takes the matter further by accusing his government of "a classic case of moral grandiloquence producing absolutely rotten outcomes."  "Now," he writes, "we don't have a high commissioner in Fiji and they don't have one here. Congratulations, Canberra, a brilliant result.We are in grave danger of making a very bad situation much worse. We can certainly isolate and punish Fiji with unique effectiveness, if we want to.God knows why anyone in Canberra thinks it's a good idea."

Meanwhile, in Fiji five new Sri Lankan judges have been sworn in, and the new Crimes Promulgation makes an assault on a woman no longer a reconcilable offence; a woman will be able to give evidence against her partner; the past sexual history of a rape or sexual assault victim will no longer be an admissable defence, and men hiring a prostitute will also have committed an offence. The promulgation is expected to come into effect in February 2010.  At least women's "human rights" are being protected.

The Government's Roadmap is also progressing, albeit slower than might be hoped. Priority is being given to physical infrastructure -- roads and electrification -- in rural areas and other needy communities. But work is also underway on the
National People's Charter Advisory Council. Members Dewan Chand Maharaj, Ratu Filimoni Ralogaivau and Peni Mua have been respectively appointed to deal with economic, social issues and governance issues.

Government will soon add another 24 items  food and essential items to price control.

It is far from a rosy picture in Fiji. Everyone know that. But some credit should be given to the Government when it gets things right. That way, it may be more willing to listen to outsiders' comments when they think it's got things wrong.

(o) Fiji Next Global Call Centre Hub?
Global customer care services Mindpearl opened its first call centre at Kalabu near Suva yesterday, and over the next three years is expected to create 2,000 jobs. "We're excited to be part of Fiji's commerce and industry development in what we believe is the next global contact centre hub,"said CEO William Pattison at the opening. The development is expected to relocate many jobs presently in Australia and New Zealand to Fiji.

Cartoon: cartoonstock.

(o) Prof. Brij Lal Says He Was Not Physically Assaulted

AMENDED. The false information referred to was mostly from Coupfourpointfive  and not from "Bai." My comment is therefore now redirected to them.

It seems reasonable in the light of Brij's denial (see below) to ask who told you he was physically assaulted, spat at, hit in the mouth several times and had his glasses broken.  You may also care to correct the error on your blogsite.

I know abuses occur, but so too do intentionally false reports of abuse.  This wasn't you, of course, but for your own interest (if not mine) you may care to trace the relaying of this false information back to its source.

It is, of course, quite possible your source was partly correct and  that Brij "played down" the incident when back in Australia. But he did deny there was physical abuse, and this should be reported

I note also Brij was not beyond making this hyperbolic political comment on his arrival in Australia: "My personal agony and difficulties are nothing compared to what is endured by the people of Fiji on a regular basis."

What The Australian had to say. Click here for full report.

On his arrival in Sydney, Professor Lal said he was detained on Wednesday for three hours in custody and subjected to a very unpleasant interrogation but not any physical abuse. "It is very difficult to distill that experience into words, but intense verbal abuse, foul language and explosive anger on the part of the officer who was interrogating me," he said.

(o) Professor Brij Lal's Detention and Deportation

Please note that this incident was unreported by the Fiji 
media  due to the Public Emergency Regulations

Croz to Bai.
Thanks Bai for the information on Brij's detention (Click here.) There is no excuse for the physical attacks on Brij (if substantiated, they are abhorrent and must be condemned) but we would all be very naive if we thought an outspoken opponent of the regime, with pronounced political views, who is no longer is a Fiji citizen, and who presumably entered Fiji on either a tourist or work permit, would be immune from detention and deportation if he made any political comment during a time of national emergency. This is not to condone his treatment  or the continuance of the Public Emergency Regulations (PER) -- far from it -- but no one, least of all Brij, should have been surprised at his deportation.

Personally, I thought his comments on the High Commission happenings fair and reasoned, and there can be little doubt PER should be lifted.  But the incident further aggravates an already inflamed situation. I wonder what on earth Brij was thinking of when he agreed to give these interviews. He must have known the likely outcomes.

More generally, I believe it is not helpful to ignore realities, however unpleasant they may be. They should be recognized and turned, where ever and when ever possible, towards positive outcomes.  However obdurate the regime, it is the de facto government.Confrontation and the escalation of tensions makes dialogue and engagement -- which is the only peaceful way forward -- even more difficult.

It is easy, of course, for me to write this from New Zealand, but engagement is desperately needed, focusing on the positives. Further disengagement and repetition of the now well-known negatives can only make things worse. This is not letting the regime off the hook; it is a tactical shift to another fishing ground because the fish are not biting where were are currently fishing.


Stewart to Croz.
I could not disagree with you more.
 
Rod Ewin to many readers.
The diplomatic tit for tat that has been playing out over the past couple of days is one thing, but this is quite another. After the relative moderation and coherence of his press address two days ago, Bainimarama gives way to this self-indulgent folly. I sometimes disagree with Brij's views on various matters but that falls within the scope of a right to disagree and debate, something now also abrogated in Fiji. For VB to sanction Brij's arrest, humiliation and the expulsion simply for saying things that, on this occasion at least, are self-evident to everyone of passing intelligence, seems not merely petulant but extraordinarily politically naive. The incident will inevitably be tied to and consolidate the critique of his expulsion of the diplomats, and negate any political point he might have sought to make by that action. If VB could learn to think awhile before he acted rashly, it might enhance his prospects of managing affairs to a satisfactory conclusion in Fiji.

Bai, replying to Croz.
I can confirm that Brij was manhandled, sworn and spat at. One particular military person used especially foul language through the interrogation until he attended to a phone call. He became more ‘civil’ after taking the call. Officers who arrested Brij Lal came in private cars and were dressed in civilian attire. They were generally courteous.

The treatment meted out to Brij hits at the heart of an academic's work. Critical thinking, dissent and debate are fundamental. What happened to Brij is reminiscent of the experience that several of my friends had in 1987 and with the string of rather heavy handed treatment of outspoken individuals since December 2006. The extension of PER on a monthly basis means that gross violation of fundamental human rights by police and military is possible at the slightest pretext. Brij is an Australian citizen but also the most internationally well known Fiji scholar –a descendant of Girmiteers.

There is a fundamental disconnect between this regime’s avowed aim to lead us to a coup-free, non- racist nirvana, and its treatment of dissenters. I am not sure that genuine democracy will arise out of a barrel of a gun.

Some Comments on Ratu Epeli's Appointment and a Short Biography of the President and First Lady

As diplomatic relations with Australia and New Zealand continue to deteriorate, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was today inducted  President of Fiji for the next three years. No vice-president is to be appointed. If the President is absent, Chief Justice Anthony Gates will act on his behalf. Ratu Epeli has been Acting President since Ratu Iloilo retired in on 30 July.

Following his induction as President, Ratu Epeli read the 13th century prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi - Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

"Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy." (Fiji Times)

Earlier, Government spokesman Neumi Leweni said the appointment was discussed by cabinet "quite a while ago." Why a decision was delayed for three months is anyone's guess, but the much quoted Dr Jonathan Fraenkel, of the Australian National University, "a leading academic on Fiji" (Oh, to aspire to such acclaim and be quoted as much, or indeed, to be quoted at all!) has one explanation. He says:

“Quite a few people have suggested that there’s some nervousness on Bainimarama’s part of giving executive power to Ratu Epeli Nailatikau [because Ratu Epeli is part of the old elite he told the UN he was replacing]. So there’s obviously [sic!] some fissions  going on within the cabinet.” The delay could "suggest a split within the interim regime."

Ratu Epeli, a former army commander, is credited with guiding Bainimarama through his early military career.

Several anti-government blog are openly critical.  FijiTruth's article by former SDL politician Mere Samisoni (still living, unmolested, in Lami) calls it a "miscarriage of justice" and says deposed VP Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi was supposed to be the next president as agreed by the Great Council of Chiefs.

In a rambling, disjointed statement she says "Bainimarama and his stooges have [acted] to avoid paying the price, under the rule of law, for what happened under his command to the murdered Counter Revolutionary Warfare soldiers and the four civilians. With Nailatikau's appointment, there is now a Mara-Ganilau dynasty that is trying to "rule and own the Fijian people and our land... Fiji languishes under Bainimarama’s politics of expediency. This kind of politics does not promote public good or Justice. It is greedy for power, money and status and it is an insult to the Fijian people, to our history, our culture and our sacred values and aspirations." She then calls for elections.

Brief Biography

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau LVO OBE MSD OStJ (68) has had a long career in the military, diplomatic service, and government. He was 17 years in the military, saw combat service in Sarawak, and  rose to Brigadier-General and Commander of the RFMF only to be deposed while overseas by Lt Col Sitiveni Rabuka in the 1987 Coup. His diplomatic career followed after a Foreign Service course at Oxford University with appointments to United Kingdom and Fiji's Roving Ambassador and High Commissioner to the member states of the South Pacific Forum, before taking up a post as Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade in 1999.

Following the Speight Coup of 2000 that he strongly opposed he was nominated for Prime Minister but withdrew in favour of consensus candidate Laisenia Qarase. He was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Fijian Affairs in Qarase's interim Cabinet, and  following the 2001 elections he was Speaker of the House until the 2006 miliatary Coup. Since then he has successively been Interim Minister of Foreign Affairs, Provincial Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs,  Indigenous Affairs, and Vice-President.

In Fiji and in the Pacific, he is known for his outspoken appeals to combat AIDS and in 2005 he was appointed the UNAIDS Special Representative for the Pacific.

Ratu Epeli is the great-great-grandson of Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau who ceded Fiji to the British, the second son of Ratu Edward Cakobau, the Fiji Battalion Commander in World War II, and an uncle of the present king of Tonga.

He is married to Adi Koila Mara, the second daughter of  modern Fiji's founding statesman Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara,  who was a Cabinet Minister in the Chaudhry FLP Coalition Government. Adi Koila was detained by Speight with other Government members for 54 days. She later spoke out strongly against Qarase's inclusion in government of extreme nationalist CAMV politicians who had supported the Speight Coup, and praised Bainimarama for speaking for the "silent majority" in opposing Qarase's "Reconciliation" Bill.  She blames the Coup for the early death of her father and mother.

Her mother, Ro Lady Lala Mara, was Ro Tui Dreketi and head of the Burebasaga confederacy until her death when she was succeeded by her younger sister, Ro Teimumu Kepa, who is a strong anti-Government spokesperson. Adi Koila's brothers are Ratu Finau Mara, recently appointed Tui Nayau and Coup supporter, and Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, the fourth-ranking officer in the RFMF.  

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will probably be the last president before a new constitution is written. It is doubtful the future will see a return to the past with the president nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs who must be an ethnic Fijian. But the appointment could be made by the ruling party or, more likely, by parliamentary agreement, or even by the people in a national election.  The position could be largely ceremonial, with or without emergency powers, or, if elected, have some of the powers of a US president.

We will know sometime before 2014.  But, of course, if the Government is overthrown before then, the chiefs could once again be the power brokers -- and even more "reconciliation" will be needed.

Sources: Wikipedia and various.