(+) The Mad Hatter's Petrol Party

Coupfourpointfive has published six photos of a Saturday May 30th arson attack on the Knolly Street office of the Fiji Post & Telecommunications Employees Association, of which Attar Singh, a very vocal Government critic, is the secretary.

They are: an empty plastic bottle (smelling of petrol); a jug (used to pour the petrol through an open louvre window); the charred lounge floor; a charred chair; a charred office table, and " A farmer's hat normally worn by soldiers was left lying on the steps of the front door entrance to the office."

I would prefer to have commented directly on this post but Coupfourpointfive has not accepted my comments on three other previous postings, and my emails to one of its bloggers have been rejected by the server. Two equally well-meaning blog sites should speak with each other.

My comment would have been brief: "If your post was intended to implicate the military, the "evidence" would have been more persuasive had you not included the soldier's hat left so neatly at the front door."

Snippets: Regional Security; the Economy; Fiji Holdings Ltd; Wages

(o+) Pacific Security Discussed Without Fiji

There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza
There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole
Then mend it, dear Goofy, dear Goofy, dear Goofy
Then mend it, dear Goofy, dear Goofy, then mend it ...
-- Burl Ives (photo credit)

The latest, almost laughable Burl Ives-ish, case of "cutting off your nose to spite your face" is provided by the Pacific Islands Forum.

Fiji, suspended from the Forum, could not be invited to the two-day Forum Regional Security Committee (FRSC) that met in Suva last week to discuss "transnational crime and counter-terrorism to political and security challenges." So the meeting proceeded without its second largest Island member whose geographic location and network of air, sea and yacht services put it at the very centre of likely criminal activity and exchanges in the south-central Pacific. Isn't this something like going for a wide-out try instead of scoring between the posts or patching several small holes in a car tyre while leaving the big hole unpatched? Or not mending a hole in a bucket? Based on report by Fiji Live.

(o) Economy Down but Reserves Up

The Reserve Bank of Fiji predicts the economy will contract by 0.3% this year, less than its major trading partners, and modest recovery is expected next year. Were it not for the January floods, the country would have recorded marginal growth. Foreign reserves had improved from $440m to $640m as a result of the devaluation. Liquidity in the banking system had grown to $150m., from a low of $15m. in late March, and was expected to be further assisted by various reforms in areas such as civil service, public enterprises and public financial management. "Government is committed to restraining the fiscal deficit to the budgeted level of 3 percent of GDP," the bank said."Revenue collections, which were above target during the first quarter, will assist Government in restraining the fiscal deficit this year." These would be further strengthened when visitor arrivals pick up in the coming months, said the bank. Based on report by the Fiji Times.

(B) Fiji Holdings Ltd

This item illustrates the potential hazards of too-close a relationship between Fijian institutional and Fijian business arrangements, and between Government and these "institutional businesses."

Fiji Holdings Limited was formed in the late 1980s with a $20m. loan from Government. Its aim was to "bring indigenous Fijians fully into the mainstream of the country's economic life" through the purchase of shares in major private companies. Shareholders include Fijian institutions, tikina, village groups, the 14 Provincial Councils, and family-type trusts registered as limited companies.

FHL has not been without its share of controversy. A paper in 2001 asked for an independent enquiry when it was revealed that individuals, families and other groups owned 70% of the shares, and the Provincial Councils, the originally intended major beneficiary, owned only 30%. Furthermore, individuals and their limited liability companies held most of the class A shares that had voting rights and attracted high dividends, while the Councils and large Fijian institutions, such as the Fijian Affairs Board (that owns 67% of all shares), owned mainly Class B shares with no voting rights and lower dividends. One major shareholding was registered in the name of former PM Laisenia Qarase's family, purchased apparently when Qarase was the managing director of the Fiji Development Bank (that financed the purchase of most "individual" shares), a member of the FHL Board, and an adviser to the FAB. The complainant thought Qarase had a conflict of interests.

FHL holds a well diversified portfolio of 24 firms in manufacturing (Goodman Fielder; Fiji Sugar Corporation; and the recently sold Forster's Group), building and construction (Asian Paints, Fiji Industries, cement, Humes; tourism (Blue Lagoon Cruises); property (several multi-stories); media and communications (Amalgamated Telecom, Fiji TV, Fiji Sun); retail (New World, RB Patel), and miscellaneous enterprises including Fiji's only private hospital.

FHL's major shareholder is the Fijian Affairs Board, now a part of the Ministry or Provincial Development, Indigenous and Multi-Ethnic Affairs. The Minister is PM Bainimarama who, within his rights but not necessarily wisely, has replaced most old board members in both institutions with his own nominees.

It is this Board that purchased RB Patel, sold its interest in the Forster Group for $F40m.to reduce local bank loans, and has all but concluded arrangements to purchase BP SW Pacific Ltd service stations and other operations for $190m. It was reported earlier than FHL sought Fiji National Provident Fund money to help the BP purchase. Most loan money will come from international banks.

Comment
I have three concerns about FHL and similar Fijian enterprises that are even more important in today's political climate.

First, I think there are genuine reasons for concern at the possibly undue influence of Government, on Board appointments and on business decisions. For very good political and economic reasons, most governments have no or only limited, indirect influence on business, even those they partly own.

Second, there could be an "unhealthy" overlap of personnel on the boards of these Fijian institutions. Some overlap permits the diffusion of ideas across institutions but too much limits the number of people engaged and, in becoming a sort of old boys' or old girls' club, could lead to croneyism and corruption. A conflict of interests was alleged when Qarase sat on several boards. It is no less a possibility with some of today's board arrangements.

Third, I do not see how ordinary indigenous Fijians are being brought into the mainstream of economic life by the purchase of shares in private companies, except perhaps by the use of dividends to provide scholarships and training schemes. The Fijians mainly helped are the older urban elite and the emerging Fijian middle class, well educated, urban-based and far removed from ordinary grassroots. This may or may not be a good thing in the early stages of indigenous economic participation but the time should soon come when THL (and other Fijian institutional) money helps a significant number of individuals or groups of Fijians establish themselves in business, and where this money is used to "create" new economic activity.

(o) Wages Council Hopes Government Will Stick to its Decision

Wages Council Chairman Fr Kevin Barr is hopeful Government will stick to its earlier decision to implement the new wage rate on July 1. The new rate, initally timetabled for February 1, was deferred at employer request. Since then the economic situation has worsened, affecting both employers and employees. The new wage rate would help an estimated 60% of employed people, in nine industries: garment, hotel and catering, manufacturing, printing, security, building, civil, electrical engineering, road transport, wholesale and retail and saw milling industry.

(o) Methodist Church Should Consider Dialogue as the Way Forward for Fiji: CCF

At last a breath of fresh air!
A call for the way so many disputes are settled in the Pacific. A call from Fiji's "middle ground" (those unhappy with some of Bainimarama's methods who nethertheless see merit in his stated aims for a non-racist Fiji). A call from Fiji's most reputable governance NGO. A press release by the Citizen's Constitutional Forum. Photo: Rev. Akuila Yabaki.

The Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF) describes the call by Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, for the removal of two senior ministers from the Methodist Church, as tough and unfortunate.

CCF however feels that given the history of the support by senior Methodist Church ministers for ethno-nationalism and the coups of 1987 and 2000, the church should now consider engaging in dialogue with the military and government, to find a way forward for Fiji.

Bainimarama’s call, as well as the ban on the Methodist Church Conference due to be held in August, are against fundamental rights of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Religion and Belief,” CCF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rev Akuila Yabaki said.

On reflection, these two senior Methodist ministers have been at the forefront of the ethno-nationalist stance taken by the Methodist Church in recent years to the extent that it was proclaimed as if it was a divine right,” Rev Yabaki said. “This may be the right time for the Church to ensure that its exercise of Freedom of Religion does not impinge on the rights of others to be free from racial discrimination.”

CCF calls for dialogue, not only between the Military and the Methodist Church, but also for wider participation in dialogue processes from stakeholders throughout Fiji, including different religious and civil society groups to find way forward,” Rev Yabaki said.

“It’s time for the Methodist Church hierarchy to make a fresh start and to take the risk of moving into more inclusive leadership. It’s time for the younger and newly elected church leaders to exercise their gifts for the moderate responsible leadership required for dialogue,” Rev Yabaki said.

For further information, contact CCF on ph: 3308379 or fax: 33083

(signed) Rev Akuila Yabaki, Chief Executive Officer

(-) Bainimarama warned to stay away

Coupfourpointfive reports: "The Marama Roko Tui Dreketi and the head of Burebasaga Confederacy, Ro Teimumu Kepa, has warned interim prime minister Frank Bainimarama, is not allowed in Lomanikoro. The Lomanikoro village was supposed to host the August conference.

"When the military issued a statement banning the conference, the Standing Committee of the Church tried to diffuse tension with the regime, by extending an invitation to Bainimarama to address the conference. However, according to sources, when Ro Teimumu heard of the proposal, she made it clear that Bainimarama should not set foot in the chiefly village, and if he agreed to giving a speech at the Methodist conference, then it would have had to be at another venue like Nausori. Sources say this message was conveyed to Bainimarama by Church President Reverend Ame Tugaue and Secretary-General Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu when they met him yesterday.

"But instead Bainimarama made it clear to them that as far as the regime, military and police were concerned, the Methodist Church conference was cancelled for an indefinite period.

"The Methodist Church is the largest Christian denomination in the country with over 200,000 members. It meets annually to discuss religious, national, political issues as well as to fundraise an average of $2.4 million to sustain its operations and activities."

Note: Ro Teimumu Vuikaba Kepa has been an outspoken critic of the Interim Government. As head of one of Fiji's three great confederacies, she was a senior member of the Great Council of Chiefs. It was the GCC's refusal (led, I recall, by Ro Teimumu) to accept Bainimarama's nomination of Ratu Epeli Nailatikau as Vice-President that led to Bainimarama dismissing the council. She was also a cabinet minister in the ousted Qarase Government. See previous post on the Church Conference.

(o) Government and Church: What Do They Mean by "Politics?"

Methodist Church President Revs Ame Tagaue and Secretary Tuikilakila Waqairaru (photo) met with PM Bainimarama on Wednesday but were not successful in persuading him to lift the ban on the church's Annual Confererence and AGM planned for August. “Basically," Bainimarama told Fiji Live, "the conference will [only] happen once they remove politics not only from their agenda, but from the church too.” [Not an easy ask. See previous posting.]

So where does this leave Fiji, its major religious institution, and its search for a resolution to its present - political - problems? What do the Government and the Church mean by politics? Are they talking about the same thing?

The Government means any anti-Government action, ranging from the relatively mild and healthy criticism of groups such as the Citizen's Constitutional Forum, to the obstructionism of the Fiji Law Society, to the media's alleged one-sided account of events, to the crusading posturing of people like Rev. Manasa Lasaro that could lead to serious public unrest, to plans for actual physical action against Government. Government's apparent inability to distinguish between honest criticism and these different grades of opposition has been its major tactical weakness that, uncorrected, could well lead to its ultimate downfall.

If Government is to have any chance of implementing the much needed reforms it advocates, it must win the "political middle ground," and to do this it has to take some calculated risks. It must, of course, apprehend what Col. Pita Driti called "some factions of the Taukei movement" who are stirring up unrest. It must see that the Taukei faction within the Methodist Church does not have unrestricted access to the thousands meeting at the proposed annual conference. But it must also distinguish between low and high risk. The total clampdown of the past month allows its opponents to claim the moral high ground.

What the Church means by politics is harder to define. Conferences have always discussed politics, in its broader meaning, as it affects the church and the Fijian population. I would consider this a legitimate involvement. But the Church has also engaged in party politics, supporting extreme Fijian nationalists; its Taukei leaders actively supported the 1987 and 2000 Coups; and there can be little doubt that these same ulta-nationalist leaders, notably Rev. Manase Lasaro and Rev. Tomasi Kanailagi, will use every oppportunity to derail and oust the Interim Government. This type of political involvement would not be supported by the mainstream of Christian opinion, in Fiji or overseas.

Coupfourpointfive reports that Bainimarama speaking last week from Brussels told the church leadership to bar these clergymen from future church activities. This it cannot do. They are elected officials who can only be dismissed at the annual AGM. And therein, as "Anonymous" commented to my previous post, lies the irony. The Church cannot hold the conference with these clergy and they can only be dismissed at the conference.

There seem to be two other possibilities. Just as the Govenment needs to recognize degrees of dissent, so also the Church needs to distinguish between core and peripheral principles. How adamant is it in its opposition to Government? Is there really no common ground? How important is the Conference? Is it possible to disallow political discussion that could lead to civic unrest? Can Lasaro and Kanailagi be persuaded not to attend the conference (or attend but not to speak on political issues) for the greater good of the Church? This is one possibility.

The other possibility was raised by "Altergo" as a comment to my previous post. He writes:

"This is one area where the Bainimarama regime cuts off it's nose to spite it's face. Allow Lasaro a public platform in a free media and several things will happen: 1. He'll spend more time promoting his views and less time conspiring; 2. His views will attract reasoned and vigorous opposition, giving people the opportunity to hear more than one voice. (As it is, the only opposition comes from the regime mouthpieces who have little credibility when it comes to well-reasoned debate); 3. The likes of Lasaro will be less able to don the shroud of the 'righteous oppressed' if they're given a public hearing.

"As much as I detest the current regime, we cannot allow the Methodist Church in its current incarnation to claim any sort of precedence in any efforts to replace the current government with one that has a properly proven popular mandate. So let them bray, publicly. It will quickly become obvious that they are merely noisy, empty vessels. Rather than God-anointed saviours who have an viable vision for Fiji.

"I do not think the Methodist flock of Fiji is as stupid and gullible as many make them out to be."

I think "Alterego" has a point. It's a little risky but it could work, and if it did, Government would gain in support, and the Conference could go ahead. It's even possible but, in my opinion, unlikely that the moderates at the Conference would vote out the Taukei malignancy that has plagued the Church for too long. Well, this is at least a more pleasant prospect than the nightmare of extending the Emergency to August, as has been hinted.

Government's statement that there will be no more meetings with the Church is, I'm sad to say, characteristically unhelpful.

Photo: Fiji Live. Reports also in the Fiji Times, Fiji Village

(o+) Taukei* Methodism: Why Government has Banned the Church's Annual Conference

"Am I reading other people's minds rightly that the term 'Christian' is synonymous with whatever is 'Fijian'? -- Rev. Ilaitia Tuwere,1997.

The announcement that the Government has cancelled the Methodist Church's August's annual Conference and AGM at Lomanikoro in Rewa is regrettable, but comes as no surprise. The decision will win Government no new friends but, unless Church leaders can this week convince PM Bainimarama otherwise, Government really had little other choice. The catalyst for the decision, taken to avoid "instability in the country," is thought to have been an anti-Government "plan of action" submitted to the church by Rev. Manasa Lasaro.

For weeks now elements within the church, led by Lasaro and the Taukei faction, and without, have been pressing for direct action against the Government. Different forms of confrontation have been proposed by the church sub-committee headed by Lasaro, in more than one pulpit around the country, and in increasingly provocative calls by anti-Government bloggers. The actions proposed include a Methodist-led nation-wide petition, mass marches, work stoppages, calls for an uprising within the military, and the "removal" (whatever that might mean?) of Bainimarama. If each of these acts can be likened to a single grenade, the Annual Conference, at which political as well as religious matters would be discussed, could have released a mega-bomb.

The Methodist Church in Fiji is a highly politicized body that has always discussed political affairs at its conferences, but this time it would have been from a very different standpoint. Previously, most of its leaders supported the "Rabuka" 1987 coups, supposedly conducted to protect ethnic Fijian rights. One of these leaders was Lasaro. (The moderate Rev. Josateki Koroi, who opposed the 1987 coups, was replaced as President in 1988. Laraso continued as General Secretary.) They supported the "Speight" 2000 Coup, though here again church leadership was divided between the Taukei faction and the moderates, until the moderate leaders were removed. In the 2001 elections the Church adopted Qarase's SDL party as the church party, and its members in parliament called once again for Fiji to be declared a Christian theocracy. Others called for non-ethnic Fijians to be denied citizenship. The "Bainimarama" 2006 Coup -- the first not seeking Fijian paramountcy and the perks for sections of the Fijian elite that go with it-- is the first coup it has opposed.

The statement issued following last Thursday's extraordinary Standing Committee meeting of the Church is a neatly balanced mix of religious ideals and political dynamite.


"The Church must be steadfast in its role of being God’s instrument for God’s word, truth and justice, and that regardless of the threats, cajolement and the cost, the Church has to stand up and continue to speak out for moral, spiritual and Christian values ...


"Given the current political crisis, the Church must be a voice of hope supporting the desire of people to escape from political oppression and uncertainty, the freedom of the poor from poverty, underdevelopment and marginalization so they may secure for themselves a better life." One senior Minister added: “We have already given our life for Christ. If we are forced into a position of making a choice, we have no option; as the Church martyrs in Rome chose Christ over the emperor, we too must do likewise.”

Moderate Methodists reflecting on this statement may ask why a standing committee prompted by Lasaro thinks one church is entitled to speak on behalf of all Christians, and indeed of all people, on a political situation in which the country is deeply divided, while, presumably, holding the Government (whose leaders include Methodists) responsible for the country's historic poverty, underdevelopment and marginalization. And why it has been so silent on these matters in the past.

Less moderate Methodists will welcome the statement no matter where it leads. The Solivakasamablog, for example, asked its readers: " Which method do you prefer to remove Bainimarama?" Here are the suggested answers and their support: "Have all the people rise up against him, and take him out!... 27%; Make a deal with the CIA 8%; One brave person..... 5%; ...support ...the Methodist church by mass gathering and march towards military camp and close it down. 60%."

Another blog calls for an army uprising. Yet another writes of Methodist strength and how it can unseat the Government

Nothing has been suggested by Methodist leaders or bloggers about dialogue, accommodation, compromise, looking for something good in the Government's agenda, finding some peaceful way forward. No thought is given to possible self-interest, probable racism, and more Christian modes of conflict resolution. Everything is seen as black or white. Bainimarama is black and nothing he wants is "good." All his opponents are highly moral democrats. The only way forward is confrontation, whatever the costs, in this small country, where so many people know each other, and where memories will linger for generations, making loving your neighbour an even more difficult task.

Some Methodist Leaders: a Very Big Question mark

The Christian, and particularly the Methodist, church occupies a unique position in Fiji. It is the repository and major beneficiary of both Fijian traditional values and a colonial heritage that entrenched those values. The Church, respect for chiefs and "being Fijian," and the State are seen as one. Attack one and all could collapse. A major reason why some Fijians oppose Bainimarama, and what he says he's trying to achieve, is because he has "detached" the state from this trilogy, and in so doing has threatened their privileged position, and the perks that go with it.

Such people (the so-called Taukei element within the church) hold that their church and their values are the only true values in Fiji (non-Chistians presumably have no worthwhile values.) They are lukewarm to the ecumenicalism of Interfaith Search Fiji and the Fiji Council of Churches. They were instrumental in founding the racial, "born again," fundamentalist Assembly of Christian Churches in Fiji (ACCF). Unlike most Methodist leaders in other countries, they have no honest interest in democracy (or civil rights) except when it suits them to uphold their position.

Many people have good reason to oppose Bainimarama but these people are not among them. They oppose Bainimarama for exactly the same reasons they supported the Rabuka and Speight coups: to retain power and privilege in the name of protecting ethnic Fiijian rights.


Rather than joining such leaders, Methodist should replace them with leaders who hold true to the teachings of their Church founders, and past leaders such as the Rev.Josateki Koroi, the Rev.Paula Niukula and the Rev.Ilaitia Tuwere.


Methodist comprised 35% of Fiji's population and 54% of its Christians at the 2007 Census. Over 90% of its members are ethnic Fijians. Important as they are, many people have left to join more fundamentalist churches. Since 1996 Fiji's population has grown by 8.9% but Methodists by only 3.3%. By comparison, Catholics at 10.3% have held their own, Seventh Day Adventists have grown 45.6% (to 32,308) and Assemblies of God by 53.8% (to 47,778). Inspired by Charles Wesley's hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers," church leaders no doubt hope their current stance will persuade some to return to the fold.

* Taukei. Ethnic Fijian. In a political context, an extreme ethnic Fijian nationalist who demands total Fijian paramountcy in all areas of Government. Photo: Methodist Centennial Church, Suva. Fiji Live.

Comments

Several informative and well-considered comments added to some recent postings are well worth reading. Click on 'comments' at the bottom of the posting to read, and perhaps add your comment. This is a feature I'd like to develop.