(o) Again: a Dismissal, No Explanation, Media Speculation, Government Reports, Media ......

The Attorney General's removal of Australian Gary Sweeney as chairman of the Commerce Commission has produced the usual media speculation, and the usual retort from the Interim Government. Sweeney says Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had no power to dismiss him except for "misbehaviour, incompetence, incapacity or failure to comply with the obligations not to participate in a decision in which the member had a pecuniary interest." The A-G confirmed that Sweeney was not removed because of non-performance as speculated by some media organisations. He said there were "a number of issues before the Commission that needed to be addressed ."[With the A-G so reticent to reveal reasons for the dismissal, the media had little choice: speculate or say nothing.]

The media speculates his removal was related to resumed investigations into whether Vodafone was trying to preserve its market dominance by restricting the introduction of a new TFL wireless service. Sayed-Khaiyum said the Commission's job is to liberalize the market and act with its mandate and obtain "better utilisation of tax payer’s money." [This infers Sweeney held a different view on "liberalization."]

He expressed disappointment with some media reports on Sweeny’s removal, and warned/told/advised (it is not clear which) the media "not to speculate on issues that do not exist in the country ... [They] should focus their reporting on ensuring stability in the market." Inevitably, the media interpreted these remarks as an attempt to restrict "media freedom." The new Commission chairman is economist Dr Mahendra Reddy. [Condensed from Fiji Times. 3 March 2009.]

(B) Two "On the Eve of the 2006 Coup" Articles are Well Worth Reading

Steven Ratuva on "The Politics of Preference (Voting)"
"The popular political myth is that democratic elections are won and lost on the basis of people’s direct choices.What we forget is that people’s choices have to go through the complex mechanics of the electoral process, endorsed by some ambitious politicians and drafted by some overpaid lawyers, which become the vehicle through which our democratic choices are legitimized." So wrote USP political scientist and commentator Steven Ratuva in the Fiji Times (May 1, 2006) just before the 2006 election. The election, using the contentious Alternative Voting system, hinged on six key Open seats in Greater Suva. The result saw Qarase's SDL party (with extreme Fijian nationalists and Speight 2000 Coup supporters as part of his team) returned to power. The slide towards December's Coup had begun. To read the whole article, click here.

Steven Ratuva on "Officers, Gentlemen and Coups" (On the Role of the Military in Civil Affairs)
[Former senior army officer] "John (Baledrokadroka) had a very deep commitment towards values of good governance, apolitical military and professionalism which I believe would have been the biggest ideological and intellectual force behind his resolve. Both Frank (Bainimarama) and John believed deeply in the reprofessionalisation of the military, re-democratisation of the country and the rounding up and punishment of the 2000 coup perpetrators but their differences revolved around their different approaches." [Bainimarama stood Baledrokadroka down in January 2006 probably because of his opposition to a coup as the means to bring about change.] To read the whole article, Click here.

(o) Ratu Isoa on Military Men and Diplomats

Former diplomat and Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ratu Isoa Gavidi thinks the media has played a role in the Fiji-PI Forum relationship that is causing participants to be more outspoken and straight-talking than usual. "Currently," he told ABC News, "I think there is a lot more hype in the media. Sometimes it may sound harsh. It's really a total new development in the Forum that borders on what you call diplomatic niceties are now crossed. Leaders of the forum are now saying exactly what they think."

Speaking of Cdre Bainimarama's outspokenness and leadership style, Ratu Isoa said in his personal view Bainimarama was a military man and his perspective and perception of things were based on his military background, whereas a lot of the other political leaders came from different walks of life. "So I think this is part of where the problem is ...It's just two different experiences leading to clashes between leaders ... the military is basically top down, it's hard to start dealing with issues when people give you their own opinion and what their views are which may differ from yours."

"Some of us have been brought through the bureaucracy, like in my case, my job is to provide advice, give options, whereas with the military, its viewpoint is given to you I think you are expected to obey it. I think this is causing quite a lot of uncertainty in the way the Government is being run at the moment," he said.

(o) Bainimarama Desperately Needs a Public Relations Officer

Commodore Bainimarama may speak as he chooses; Prime Minister Bainimarama should not. The Interim Government needs every friend it can get, and the PM desperately needs a public relations officer. Military personnel often lack the skills of diplomacy.

When the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group's predicable but very moderate announcement on Fiji was made on Wednesday (“should sufficient progress not take place... Fiji Islands will be fully suspended from the Commonwealth at the Group’s next meeting in September 2009”), he had a golden opportunity "to win friends and influence people."

He should have made no media statement until he had heard from Commonwealth GenSec Kamalesh Sharma, and in speaking with Mr Sharma all he needed to say was:

"Mr Sharma, I want you to know that we value our Commonwealth membership and fully understand your present predicament.* We thank you for understanding that progress must await outcomes from our President's Forum. We will announce a date for elections as soon as practicable. Please also understand our predicament: The type of elections and the role of the People's Charter must be resolved before elections are held.'If we go into elections now, it is not going to serve any purpose. It’s probably going to make things worse for the people of Fiji.'”

* The PI Forum's lead and the Millbrook Action Programme, that allows two years for a return to parliamentary government, must be recognized.

This would have been polite, conciliatory, forthright and honest ... and it asked the Commonwealth for a little more understanding.

Instead, he apparently told Auckland's Radio Tarana, as reported by FijiLive: “If they want to suspend Fiji this coming December, they can do it now. No one is going to interfere in what we are trying to do, not New Zealand, not Australia, not anybody else. Nothing is going to be done. There’s going to be no election,” he added. “If we go into elections now, it is not going to serve any purpose. It’s probably going to make things worse for the people of Fiji.” [This point last point needed to be made].

And on when Commonwealth GenSec Sharma phoned him: “I will tell him in no uncertain terms nothing’s going to change.”The score? Commonwealth (and indirectly Qarase) 8; Bainimarama 0.

Instead of grasping his golden opportunity, he handed a free one to the media. Note the negativity and inaccuracies in the headings. FijiLive "Suspend Fiji now, no elections still: PM". He did not say this, and his remark was prefaced by an important "if".

The Auckland Herald ("Fiji facing full suspension from Commonwealth"). DominionPost ("Fiji Rejects Commonwealth") syndicated by well-known Interim Government opponent Michael Field, sourced from FijiLive and unacknowledged. Field wrote that Bainimarama had "bluntly told the Commonwealth to kick his nation out of the body." No. Fiji did not, and he did not, Mr Field! You put a changed emphasis on the story originally reported by Radio Tarana. Fji live ("Fiji given a 6 month deadline and Hold elections, or else: C’wealth to Fiji").

ABC News ("Bainimarama Scoffs at Looming Election Deadline.") reports that Fiji will be "suspended completely in September unless it begins the process of returning to democracy." Reporter Campbell Cooney had it right; his sub-editor did not. Beginning a process is not a September election deadline. [Added since first posted.]

The most balanced, informative and --- positive ---report came from Irene Manueli in the Fiji Times. Here it is in full:

Commonwealth Gives Fiji Grace Period
Fiji will be suspended from the Commonwealth in September if the interim administration does not show "sufficient" progress towards returning the country to democratic rule.This was the decision of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) who met in London to discuss Fiji's situation less than 12 hours ago.

In its communique released at about 4am today, CMAG said it would not suspend Fiji as it was "supportive of the joint mediation of the Commonwealth and the United Nations of the Presidents Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF) process in Fiji". It emphasised that such an engagement by the Commonwealth and the UN should be "independent, inclusive, time-bound and without prejudice as to its outcome" and it called on the international community to support this mediation process "politically and financially".


CMAG specified that should "sufficient progress not take place, consistent with the benchmarks set out in the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Communique", Fiji would be "fully suspended" when the Group next meets in September. Furthermore, in the absence of satisfactory progress, it would convene an earlier meeting, it added.

Fiji remains suspended from the Commonwealth's Councils, a development that arose soon after the military forcefully took over the Laisenia Qarase-led government in December 2006.

Last Week in Fiji; Fourth Week of February

New Postings Sunday 1 March
[Major papers in red]
(o) The President's Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF)
(o) Fiji's 1997 Constitution failed ....
(G) The People's Charter outreach
(o) Beddoes calls for Government of National Unity
(-) Fiji Law Society modifies stance on Interim Government
(G) Media Law Nearly Ready
(+) US Human Rights Report Unfair and Unbalanced
(-) PSA at Odds over Pay Increases
(-) Qarase in Melbourne
(+) Solomon Is.Sogovare disagrees with Samoan PM

Mid-Week Posts
(Bo-) Why Elections Cannot be Held by December
(o) Wellington Lawyer on Fiji
Preferred PM An hilarious Tebutt Poll
(B) Solomon Island Community Wants to Return "Home"

Making Something Out of Nothing
Two further examples of what must be called ongoing, negative "media-generated news" hit the streets last week. FijiLive asked Pramod Rae (NLF general secretary) what he thought about Bainimarama's temporary change of residence. Rae found it "a bit suspicious" that Bainmarama is to move into civilian and not military accommodation while his house is being rennovated.

Then in FICAC silent on Qarase investigations we had the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) "refus(ing) to reveal whether they will be launching an investigation into Former PM Qarase's recent outbursts in Australia." Spokesperson Charlotte Peters said FICAC does not want to make a comment at this stage, adding they will reveal more when the time is right. FijLive must surely have known this before they asked.

This is not reporting the news; it is creating it. Normally this would not greatly matter but most of this "news" is anti-Interim Government, offered in response to media questions put to known Government opponents -- when the media already knew what their answers would be. As my grandmother used to say: "Ask a silly question and you'll get a silly answer." In Fiji's current situation such questioning is more than silly; it is irresponsible.

Attack the Man, Not the Argument
If you knew absolutely nothing about Fiji politics and your introduction was blogs, the news and media comments, you could wonder what hit you if you wrote or spoke on anything controversial. Here's some tongue-in-cheek advice on how to develop an argument. First, start by personally insulting the person with whom you disagree. Get in below the belt. If you're blogging, hit him hard with as many really filthy swear words as you can. Secondly, attack his credentials. Say he's a self-seeking nobody who knows nothing. Thirdly (and this is the most clever manoeuvre), neatly side-step your opponent's argument by launching a tangential one of your own. The main idea is not to attack the argument. Attack the man. This will make you many friends among those who think similarly and an equal number of enemies among those who do not. No matter. Fiji's protagonists belay each with Nero's fiddle, while Suva burns.

The best example last week was a perfectly reasonable and well argued Fiji Times feature on Race and Religion in Fiji by Thakur Ranjit Singh, a follow up on the Teleni affair, and the (to me) incredibly venomous response it drew from former NFP administrator and present day journalist Kamal Iyer. I can only suspect that unstated personal factors were involved. Singh's article is well worth reading. Then take a look at Iyer's "Warped Logic" and make your own judgment.

Unfortunately, I was engaged in a similar exchange during the week. Drj***@aol.com emailed me saying he was not very impressed by my blog ("It's not the kind of high powered blog that might knock your socks off with its originality. It might do in a rush".) He would like to see it "start something of a dialog on the politics of intervention by both Australia and New Zealand".

I responded that dialogue is most welcome on all topics, especially on how Fiji is to "move forward." He responded with most unpleasant remarks about my friend and former colleague Brij Lal (with whom I don't always agree) and a vicious attack on Australia and New Zealand. ("Fiji is the first of the Pacific island micro states to tell both of these white middle powers to f*** off".) Then -- and I should have known it was coming -- he had a go at me:

"Fiji is doing just fine--moving forward by its own definition. Fiji is not in need of any kind of gratuitous advice from New Zealand's peanut gallery--even from somebody like you with 50 years of Pacific watching. Mind yr own business and get on with some of New Zealand's domestic problems."

So there we have it: another polite, persuasive argument.

(o) Re-thinking Leadership Style
Congratulations to Jioji Kotobalavu (formerly CEO in the former PM's office and hardly an Interim Government supporter) for his article Re-Thinking Leadership Style and Organisational Culture in Saturday's Fiji Times. You may not agree with all he says on the "Teleni Affair" (for he neither condones nor condemns the Police Commissioner) but you should find it refreshing to read his thoughtful, balanced and positive ideas. The whole article stands in sharp contrast to Kamal Iyer's backward finger-pointing "Warped Logic" reported above, and is well worth reading in full.

Here's a small sample that conveys his central theme:

"So, rather than continue to berate and castigate Police Commissioner Teleni for what he reportedly said at his meeting with senior Indian police officers, a more useful and more positive engagement would be to reflect on the incident as an opportunity to talk about the kind of leadership and organisational culture that would be most appropriate for the Police Force and other state agencies and public organisations in this era of human rights and given the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural character of our society."

(o) NZAid Gives More for Flood Relief

NZAid is adding $3 million to the $600,000 already given for Fiji flood disaster relief and rehabilitation. The money will be directed to "reconstruction, providing social services, and helping to mitigate the impact of future disaster events in Fiji. Support will be channelled through local, regional and multilateral organisations working on the ground in Fiji ... [there will also be]...scope for partnering with other donor governments providing assistance." For more information, contact Richard.Dirks@nzaid.govt.nz

(o) Beddoes on Government of National Unity

Former Opposition leader and acting President of the General Voters United Peoples Party, Mick Beddoes is urging the Interim PM and political leaders to consider forming a Government of National Unity (GNU). Beddoes said such a government should be convened if a “timetable to parliamentary democracy” was not reached “within the next 12 months”.

He said getting the country back to democracy was urgent, citing the current state of the economy and worldwide financial crisis. He said while the recommencement of the dialogue process on March 13 was “most welcomed” there was a need for leaders, especially the interim PM, to consider “alternative options.”

“If the [PPDF] meeting is unable to reach agreement on a timetable that allows elections within a reasonable timeframe, then consideration for the formation of a government of national unity will allow more time for preparations, without putting at risk thousands of jobs and the collapse of businesses that would surely occur, if things remained as fragmented as they are today for another 12 months .... While it was important to address all of the issues in the Political Dialogue Process, it was also important to recognise the negative impact that the ongoing political instability was having on the economy and jobs." He added that a GNU would more “likely attract international support” and would quickly lead to a warming of relations with Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands Forum and and the Commonwealth. Fiji Daily Post

(o) The President's Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF)

A special meeting of political parties and other stakeholders will be held on March 13 to determine the agenda and the terms of reference, drafted by independent interlocutors Dr Sitiveni Halapua and Robin Nair. The PPDF will be convened when these matters have been resolved. FijiLive reports likely topics for inclusion are a proposed Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Act to prevent the future overthrow of democratically elected governments, recommended changes to the 1997 Constitution, outcomes from the People's Charter and timelines for implementation, electoral reforms, and the timeline for the next General Elections. The central issue will be a stable return to parliamentary rule, from which the agenda items for the proposed PPDF will flow and give shape to a measurable timeline for a general election. Condensed from Fijilive

(o) 1997 Constitution Did Not Stop Communalized Politics

(o) "Fiji's 1997 Constitution failed to stop the drift to more [ethnic] communalized politics, although this time its power-sharing provisions have produced a multi-party cabinet.* In the long term communalization will not enable political stability, although seeking to remove communalizaton is not likely to be immediately possible politically. Nonetheless, at least three amendments to the Constitution need to be addressed, the first being the adoption of a system of proportional representation instead of preferential voting to give scope to the increasing diversity of positions within all communal groupings, so that no one feels excluded; the second being the amendments to compulsory power sharing in government (guidelines for communal responsibilities in cabinet might be more effective); and the third being the ability to redistribute communal seats after each census on the basis of population without recourse to Constitutional change. These changes would allow Parliament to be more representative of Fiji's population as a whole." [Prof. Robbie Robertson, in Walsh 2006, Fiji: an Encylopaedic Atlas, p.383.]

* After the 2001 Election, PM Qarase refused to allocate cabinet posts to the Labour Opposition, as required in the Constitution. The "power sharing" after the 2006 election finally turned to farce when Mike Beddoes (whose General Voters party, the UPP, had two seats in Parliament) became Leader of the Opposition, and not Labour with its 31 seats. Personal animosity between Qarase and Chaudhry was partly responsible but whatever the causes, power-sharing had not worked.

(+) US Human Rights Report Unfair and Unbalanced

The 2008 Human Rights report released by the US Department of State is not fair or balanced, says FHRC Chairperson, Shaista Shameem. She said it was a picture of what some people have told the Americans. The FHRC was not consulted. Dr Shameem noted that that the USA report did not deal with Israel's war on Gaza -- another gap for political expediency. "Human rights reports done by the USA are not known for their fairness or balance," she said. "Hopefully under Obama's administration this state of affairs will change."

(G) People's Charter Outreach Community Programme

The People's Charter outreach community awareness programme, involving teams made up of government officials and NGO representatives, started last week. It will be on a smaller scale than the last round of consultations. Department of National Planning's
Filimoni Kau they will also be monitoring the implementation of the Charter in various Government ministries through their 2009 cooperate plans. FijiVillage

(-o) Fiji Law Society's Dosami Naidu Recommends Modified Stance

Fiji Law Society Dorsami Naidu has modified his stance on the Interim Government. He now thinks the Society "needs to at least
partially engage with the interim Government, to ensure judicial standards are not compromised" because it has become increasingly
difficult to attract the right calibre of people to serve on the judiciary." He said "talented people don't want to be seen to be associated with this regime" and "the travel bans placed by the Australian and New Zealand Governments stop potential candidates from applying." [The bans, of course, affect all areas of government where they produce effects similar to those Naidu describes. From what he says, they appear to have produced effects opposite to those intended.] [Naidu earlier confirmed that he had paid the $20,000 outstanding from 2007-2008 he owed over his failed application in the Angie Heffernan case, as ordered by the court.] Fijilive

(G) Media Law Nearly Ready

All laws pertaining to the media -- its freedoms, restrictions, professional standards and Code of Ethics -- will soon be consolidated. This should remove anomalies in existing legislation. Once overseas experts have drafted the promulgation, the Ministry of Information will discuss it with other stakeholders before becoming law. The promulgation will establish
an independent tribunal (chaired by an independent judge appointed by the Judicial Services Commission) to hear appeals on complaints lodged with the Media Council. FijiLive

(-) PSA at Odds over Pay Increases.

Cabinet had approved the Job Evaluation Report 2003 conducted by Mercer Human Resource Consulting awarding pay increases to the disciplined services and the general civil service but, according to Major Neumi Leweni, military personnel will forego their entitlement. However, the Public Service Association secretary general Rajeshwar Singh says the FPSA does not accept the report because the pay increases were not negotiated in accordance with the terms of reference the State had signed with the public sector unions six years ago."Only those above the SS02 level will receive a pay increase and that's about 500 civil servants. FPSA has also filed a trade dispute with the Ministry of Labour, citing constitutional breach to the collective bargaining agreement. FijiLive.

(-) Qarase in Melbourne

Laisenia and Leba Qarase were invited to Melbourne by the Vanuabalavu community living there which raised money to pay for their hotel accommodation at Rydge’s, and all their expenses during their two-day trip. In addition they aim to raise a further $A10,000 towards legal bills incurred by the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party in its fight for parliamentary restitution. Qarase was Chief Guest at the community’s lovo dinner, attended by 300 invited guests. Qarase departs
Australia on Sunday for Fiji where he is expected in court on Tuesday.

(+) Solomon Island Leader Differs with Samoan PM

Solomon Islands Opposition leader Manasseh Sogovare says Samoan PM Tuilaepa Sailele's criticism of Voreqe Bainimarama is not shared by other Pacific leaders. Samoa is one of the Forum countries that have taken a joint position on how to assist Fiji. "I don't think the statements he has been making so far are shared by other leaders in the Pacific." Australia Network News via FijiLive.

(+) US Human Rights Report Unfair and Unbalanced

The 2008 Human Rights report released by the US Department of State is not fair or balanced, says FHRC Chairperson, Shaista Shameem. She said it was a picture of what some people have told the Americans.
The FHRC was not consulted. Dr Shameem noted that that the USA report did not deal with Israel's war on Gaza -- another gap for
political expediency. "Human rights reports done by the USA are not known for their fairness or balance," she said. "Hopefully under
Obama's administration this state of affairs will change."