Unlike many other blogs on Fiji, I do not publish personal attacks on those with whom I disagree, but I’m making this one exception, regrettably on a friendship that goes back over 30 years. Sorry, Toke, but you cannot expect to escape unscathed from your ill-advised, inflammatory remarks in Cairns. I’ve made only minor changes to the email that follows, to protect the identity of the sender, although he didn’t think it necessary. Bula, Croz
I have been in Fiji for about 18 years now, and understand very well the nuances of Fiji society, and have abhorred the blatant manipulation of the ordinary Fiji bloke and the corruption that appeared to be entrenching itself ever deeper into the ‘elite’ with every passing year.
I am the manager of a large business in Fiji and therefore responsible for the daily welfare of a lot of people.
Consequently, it is of great concern when I see on the Aussie news tonight, that the Premier of Niue, the equivalent of a small town mayor in NZ (population-wise), and a sycophant of the inhabitants of the Beehive, calling for Fijians to “rise up” against the Military Regime. Does he really mean what he says? Does he understand what he is saying? If the answer is “Yes” to both, then he really ought to be severely admonished - by someone infinitely more erudite than I
What a retard!
Obviously, the intellectual requirement for the position of Premier of Niue is an IQ somewhat lower than that of a dalo.
I cannot really articulate the thoughts that go through my mind when thinking of the meaning of “Rise Up”, but I’m sure you understand:
rebel: take part in a rebellion; renounce a former allegiance; rebellion: organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another
All of which conjures up thoughts of blood, misery, death and tears.
Whilst I think that the likelihood of an insurrection is fairly remote, to advocate revolution by the masses is grossly irresponsible, and a question also arises, “Did someone put him up to it?”
Kind regards,
Cornelius
Extract from the Cairns Press Release
CAIRNS, Australia (AFP)--Fijians should rise against Voreqe Bainimarama's military regime and take their destiny into their own hands, the outgoing chairman of the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum, Hon. Toke Talagi, Premier of Niue, said Tuesday. "After all the people of Fiji must also take responsibility for the reconstruction, and the future and their own destiny."
Click here for the full document. Photo: Toke Talagi. ABC.
2 comments:
Amateurs in Charge
Your analysis of the stalemate between Fiji, New Zealand and Australia reveal what many of us have already concluded, that the foreign policies of the two larger neighbors are run by amateurs and hacks, who instead of articulatng nuanced policies beyond the status quo, are instead reduced to monetary payoffs and clientelist politics. The long-term prospects for a stable and peaceful Fiji is arrogated by intransigent actors more interested in ameliorating perceived grievances than in formulating a coherent foreign policy congruent with national interests. It is perhaps time that both Australia and New Zealand behave less as spurned lovers unable to overcome the trauma of rejection and more as adults willing to compromise, negotiate, engage and even concede when necessary. Interstate relations pursuant to national interests are circumscribed by power and resource limitations and should not be dissuaded by either sentiment or normative moralizing. Is there someone in the respective foreign ministries willing and able to articulate a rational and objective policy towards Fiji that moves beyond recriminations and hurt feelings? We are now in the third year of the political crisis in Fiji and one is hard pressed to find any detached analysis from either Wellington or Canberra about Mr. Bainimarama or his regime. Is it possible that the inflexible posture adopted by Frank is because he no longer believes that neither Australia nor New Zealand care about the political and economic fortunes of his beloved country? It is time that we stop confusing belligerence, infantile outbursts and reactionary ad hoc responses with sophisticated and realist policies that ought to be practiced by mature democracies and professional analysts
My Premier is not a retard. Your a retard! Sir Toke Talagi!!! Best premier in the pacific!
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