Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. (René Descartes, mathematician and philosopher,1599-1650)

Friday 31 July 2009

Australia, New Zealand, Samoa Stand Accused ; Human Rights Group Thanks President


Australia, New Zealand, Samoa Accused of Dividing Regional Trade Bloc

Radio Australia reports that a leading Pacific NGO says Australia and New Zealand are continuing to use bullying tactics in trade negotiations, and accuses Samoa's Deputy Prime Minister, Misa Telefoni, of working with them to create a split among Pacific Island nations. The accusations are contained in the report 'Speaking Truth to Power', launched in Suva this morning by the Pacific Network on Globalisation.

The report comes as Pacific Island leaders prepare for their summit in Cairns where they are set to decide whether to go ahead with negotiations for the proposed PACER Plus trade agreement.

NZ Human Rights Group Thanks President
A Fiji Human Rights Group in New Zealand has written to the outgoing President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, thanking him for the service he has provided to Fiji and its people. Spokesperson Santa Maharaj said it is saddened to hear that he has taken his retirement so suddenly, however the group is pleased for his decision as he will get more time to spend with his family. Maharaj said Ratu Iloilo's return to Vuda will give the Vanua of Vuda the opportunity to serve him as their paramount chief.

Maharaj hopes that the incoming president will continue to see that the people of Muaniweni, Dawasamu and Dreketi who suffered during the May 19th coup will be compensated as a reconciliation process. -- Fiji Live.

PINA to Stay in Fiji; Commonwealth Suspension Not Yet; President's Resignation

(o) Drama at Pacific Islands News Association Meeting

There was more than a little drama at this week's PINA annual meeting in Vanuatu. Fiji Times editor-in-chief Netani Rika spoke of media censorship in Fiji and then walked out in protest against being on the same panel as a Fiji Government censor. Later Rika was awarded the Pacific Islands News Association Freedom Award for "his professional and moral integrity and the courage he displayed in being prepared to stand up publicly on his principles, knowing that his words were placing him at risk" and the Association reiterated its "condemnation of the extreme situation of media censorship now prevailing in Fiji [and called] on the provisional military government to lift immediately the emergency regulations under which journalists are prevented from doing their job and the Fiji public is kept informed."

However, the PINA secretariat will remain in Fiji (moved Cook Islands; seconded PNG).This will disappoint anti-Government bloggers (PINA chief executive officer Matai Akoula was called a traitor) for joining the meeting's "wide support to let the PINA secretariat to remain in Fiji."

(-+) Commonwealth Suspension Likely But Not Immediately

CMAG, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, will meet in London tomorrow (Friday 31) to decide what to do about Fiji, now partly suspended from the Commonwealth. The Group comprises representatives from Ghana, Malaysia (chair), Namibia, NZ, PNG, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Uganda, and the UK.

NZ Foreign Affairs Murray McCully, who with PNG Foreign Minister Sam Abal will report to the meeting on "progress to a return to democracy," expects the Commonwealth to suspend Fiji, but not immediately. Their report will also be presented to the PI Forum meeting in Cairns next week. McCully said he did not think any positive movement was on the horizon. We earlier reported that a Royal Commonwealth Society spokesman thought discussions with Fiji would continue behind the scenes, whatever the decision on suspension.

My own opinion is that:
  • Bainimarama will not voluntarily be diverted from his intention to reform the political system before elections are held. If this the case, foreign governments and agencies would best help Fiji "return to democracy" by helping to speed up the reform process, ensuring that it is as inclusive and representative as it can be in the circumstances.
  • This requires easing pressure on the Government and applying pressure to the anti-Government faction -- or at least ceasing implicit support -- so that they also would be more prepared to enter into dialogue.
  • The foreign stand-off merely reinforces the internal stand-off between a suspicious Government and anti-Government forces unwilling to moderate their position.
  • Their most valuable contribution to Fiji right now is assistance to help ease the tensions that have made dialogue impossible. McCully has the opportunity to make some positive moves of his own

(o) Anti-Government Bloggers Claim President Forced to Resign

These reports are so blatantly ridiculous, they merit no rebuttal.

Thursday 30 July 2009

(o) Tuwere Asks Methodists to Back Off


Respected former President of the Methodist Church Rev. Ilaitia Tuwere has called on the church to cancel plans to hold the annual church conference this year in defiance of a government ban.

"Humbly, I will say the church should just move away from the conference this year… And allow common people to go on with their lives. I hope common sense will prevail here ... the church will not get more into provocative actions [and] there will be no confrontation."

Click here for full Fiji Live report. Photo: Fiji Live.







(+) Commonwealth "Dropped the Ball" on Fiji

Fiji Live reports that the Commonwealth may work behind the scenes to try to help Fiji restore democracy after going ahead with a possible suspension in September. This is the opinion of the Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, who also thought the 53-member body has "dropped the ball on Fiji". "The voices of the smaller island nations are drowned in the United Nations, and the Commonwealth becomes a perfect ground to be on par with nations like Australia and Britain where the smaller island nations can have their voices heard," he said.

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) decided in December 2008 to review its stand on Fiji in September 2009. If it is suspended, technical assistance will continue, but Fiji will be unable to attend any Commonwealth meeting.Sriskandarajah thought that whatever happened, dialogue needs to be maintained.

Wednesday 29 July 2009

(o) "Lending Fiji a Hand"

Real Fiji News has a new posting (click here) that provides a useful overview of the forces and events that produced Fiji's present political situation. Even more useful are the writer's suggestions about what needs to be done from here on if a peaceful solution is to be found. Not everyone, of course, will agree with the writer's interpretation of events, or his suggestions on the way forward but -- in the spirit of dialogue -- that should make it an even more important read. Readers familiar with the negativism of the blindly anti-Government blogs will find the posts' positive approach refreshing. Comments may be written under the post, or under this post.






Snippets: President to Retire, Lau Provincial Meeting, Forum PACER, John Roughan

(G) President to Retire
PM Bainimarama has announced that President Ratu Josefa Iloilo (88, photo L) will retire on July 30, and the functions of his office will be carried out by recently-appointed Vice-President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (photo R).

(o+) Mara Opens Lau Meeting in Suva
The people of Lau converged in Suva today (27 July) for the opening of their provincial council meeting and bazaar. Lau Provincial Council chairperson Lt-Colonel Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara. Ratu Tevita thanked his people for their contributions to the province’s development and outlined matters to be discussed by their district representatives. Ratu Tevita looked forward "the revitalization of the economic situation in the province” and the possible purchase of a ship to serve the islands. -- Based on Fiji Live. It is noted that mass non-political meetings are allowed under PERs.

The Lau group consists of about 60 small islands to the east and south of mainland Fiji. Once the domain of the powerful Tongan chief Ma'afu, who challenged Cakobau for control of Fiji, and the "seat" of the powerful (Sir Ratu Kamisese) Mara family, the islands suffer from excessive out-migration. The 2007 population was 10,683, almost entirely ethnic Fijians, and only 1.3% of Fiji's total population. The province had one seat in Fiji's 71 seat parliament.

(+) Fiji and the Pacific Island Forum, PACER: ANZ Principle or Loss of Face?
Although it now looks unlikely Fiji will get a last minute reprieve and be invited to attend the Forum meeting in Cairns on August 4-7, it is seeking representation at the PACER (Pacific Closer Economic Relations) meeting that follows. Australia and New Zealand seem adamant that Fiji will not return to Forum meetings (or be involved in any regional talks such as PACER or PICTA, Pacific Islands Countries Trade Agreement) until it sets an early date for elections.

Their inflexible -- and unrealistic -- stance has drawn criticism from the Forum members in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu), Kiribati, Tuvalu, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, all of which want the Forum to reopen dialogue with Fiji whose exclusion threatens the longer-term future of regional institutions and makes economic talks, other than on aid, something of a joke. With seven of their Pacific "partners" now wanting a review, one might think Australia and New Zealand might moderate their stance but my reading is that they think they know best and, besides, loss of face is now also involved. For a related story, click here.

John Roughan
Fiji and other friends of Solomon Islands citizen John Roughan will be pleased to learn he was awarded the Cross of Solomon Islands at the recent 31st anniversary of independence celebration. John was the co-founder of the indigenous Solomon Islands Development Trust, an NGO that has been helping to empower rural villagers since the 1980s.

(o) Don’t Manipulate ‘Vanua’, Chief Tells Church

The vunivalu (war chief) of Fiji's Rewa Province, whose tradition role was as protector of the Roko Tui Dreketi, the position now held by Ro Teimumu Kepa, has told Methodist Church leaders not to manipulate his chief and people to advance their own agendas. Ro Epeli Mataitini said in a statement that for “far too long” the ‘vanua’ and its ideals have been used to either “excuse, mask or justify actions by the church and politicians that could be construed as political”. To read full report, click here.

Tuesday 28 July 2009

(o+) A Verbatim Summary of the "Perfectly Frank" Interview

Frank (Voqere) Bainimarama's recent "Perfectly Frank" interview by Australia SBS video journalist Mark Davis has been widely circulated by those opposed to Bainimarama, probably because they think he came out of the interview rather poorly. I thought differently. True, his "style" is not the typically diplomatic and he has a "raw" way of saying things in English, but what he actually said confirms my impression: he's perfectly consistent in what he says he's trying to achieve, and he means what he says. Of how many diplomats or politicians can this be said?

Of the interview itself, the two men seemed to be talking past each other on different planes of non-comprehension. Davis couldn't understand where Bainimarama was coming from: "Surely this man cannot believe what he's saying!" while Bainimarama seemed to be thinking: "How many times are they going to ask these questions? Why don't they believe me?"

In this post Baimarama's main points are grouped by topics. Otherwise his words are unchanged. Some quite lengthy exchanges have been omitted. To see the video of the interview, click here, and to read the text in full, click here. Read more...

On Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island Forum
"A lot of people don't want to understand the situation here - especially Australia and New Zealand ...Why is [the Australian Foreign Minister] warning me? Is he the forum? He's not the forum. The forum is a group of island nations in the Pacific - it's not Australia, it's not New Zealand. But do you see what's happening? They are using bulldozing tactics to have their way with the Forum. ... there's a lot of things that you from Australia and New Zealand don't see. You don't understand the politics in Fiji."


On Australian and New Zealand Influence on Internal Fiji Politics
Bainimarama: "The only reason these people [his main opponents] are vocal is because of the stance taken by Australia and New Zealand."
Davis: "It's encouraged them?"
Bainimarama: "It's encouraged them. In fact, they are encouraging one another."

On What He's Trying to Do
"I keep telling everyone a radical change needs to be brought in. And radical change cannot be brought in by some weak organisation ... Yes [I am demanding "changes" and "obedience", Davis's words] for a reason, because we want to bring about changes and you can't bring about changes if you wait 20 years for that to come about. You need to have it done - today... If there were going to be any changes to the electoral reform, why didn't we make the changes in the last 30 years?

On Why No Elections Now
Davis: "If you an election were held today, I think you'd agree, Mr Qarase would probably win it."
Bainimarama: "Exactly. Because of the way the constitution is done, how the electoral system is made up, that can never change. And why? Because the politicians are happy with that - they are comfortable with that. They want the race issue to remain so that they can win.""He would win it and where would that take us? ... It's not going to take us anywhere because as I've said we are trying to change the mindset of the people from the racial issues that were prevalent in the last 10 years to what we want to take Fiji to."
Davis: "Equal suffrage Multi-ethnic equal rights?
Bainimarama: "Exactly. Isn't that what the Australians would want?

On the Role of the Military in Bringing about Change
Bainimarama broke the 2000 Speight coup, installed Qarase but as Davis said "they quickly fell out, again on issues of race and indigenous power."]

"What I did in 2000 was exactly what I did in 2006. We took away executive authority in 2000 because of the chaos and I handed executive authority to the politicians, the political masses, in the understanding that politicians were going to take us forward. They did not. Qarase and his crowd did a turnabout, did a turnaround on the military. Everything, or the direction that we wanted them to take the country to, to include all the races, they didn't do that.So I took it back in 2006. I took it back to prepare the politicians to lead this nation and the only way we can prepare the politicians is by getting a new constitution, getting a new electoral system in place. One man, one vote, and see what happens? If one man, one vote is good for Australia and New Zealand, why isn't it good for Fiji?"

"... what we want right now in Fiji is to bring about radical changes. Strong changes. Make changes to improve the lives of the people of this nation. No-one can bring those changes into being except the military here, now. In Fiji's history, no-one can bring about the changes to the public service. No-one can bring about the changes to the land and bring about land reforms. We can do that. We are not elected. We don't have to please the indigenous community. We don't have to please any chiefs. We don't have to please any members in the Methodist hierarchy. We do what is good for the nation irrespective of your colour, irrespective of your religion, irrespective of your creed.

On Media Freedom
"My government believes in media freedom. However, the media must ensure that their work does not impact negatively on the right of others or the stability and well-being of a nation. But it's not a military dictatorship where we abuse our authority.They can print whatever they want, but irresponsible journalism is not going to be tolerated.

On Ousted Former Prime Minister Qarase
"I want Qarase and his politics to be irrelevant. I want him out. I want his politics irrelevant from now on, OK? I don't want any race issue brought back again. .. This is the action that will stop all coups, that will stop all the destabilising forces from bringing up race issues from now onwards. That's what we are trying to do."

On Methodist Leaders and Chiefs
Davis: "You've got Australia and New Zealand against you, you're going to have a lot of the chiefs against you. You've now got the Methodist Church against you, and that's the biggest church here. I mean, can you hold this together for five years?"
Bainimarama: "You must remember I'm a member of the Methodist Church. I'm not against the reforms. There are a hundred thousand more like me. Just because some of the chiefs are against me, it doesn't mean that the rest of the indigenous population are against me. The only reason these people are vocal is because of the stance taken by Australia and New Zealand."

Mark Davis Concludes
"For now, Bainimarama's biggest headache doesn't come from foreign nations. The real power he is challenging doesn't lie in Canberra or Wellington - it lies in a thousand traditional villages across Fiji. While all the correct indigenous protocols are being followed today, it is those same protocols and the associated privileges that Bainimarama is directly challenging. In essence, he's proposing sweeping constitutional changes to eliminate electoral, employment and other advantages given to indigenous Fijians over their ethnically Indian compatriots."

My friend Bhaiya comments on Davis's conclusion
Davis appears to be caught in a ‘time warp’ himself. The issue in Fiji is not merely a ‘Fijian’ –‘Indian’ one! It is also about the abuse of a racially justified electoral system and policies, including affirmative action policies, by an indigenous elite. Disadvantage and exclusion in Fiji affects a broad mass of people that include ethnic Fijians, Indo-Fijians, mixed-race people, Solomoni, Ni-Vanuatu and several other minorities.

Cartoon: Cafe Pacific

Monday 27 July 2009

(oB) Yabaki Shows Way Forward: Informed, Insightful, Balanced


A "Must" Read: Breaking the Cycle of Coups

The Rev.Akuila Yabaki is a well known Fiji civil rights activist, advocate for the poor of all races, and Chairperson of CCF (Citizens' Constitutional Forum). He is one of a very small number of people I would approach for an informed, insightful and balanced opinion on the Fiji situation, on how to break the present political impasse, and how to turn today's disappointments and forlorn hopes into realized promises and a far better future for the people of Fiji.

No one who has Fiji's well-being at heart can ignore this man. His lecture at the University of Queensland on 20th July is a "must" read. He attacks no one; sees the best in the proposals of the Bainimarama Government; identifies needed electoral and other reforms, and points to a "light at the end of the tunnel."

Breaking the Cycle of Coups
Introduction

I am deeply honoured to be here first to speak and then to listen in an open dialogue with you on the current Fiji situation.

The events of recent months in Fiji are worrying to those of you who have been friends of our country. The abrogation of the Constitution on 10th April 2009 removed the Bill of Rights and the constitutional protections of these rights. The dismissal of the judges compromised the already weakened judiciary. And current media censorship regulations and permit requirements have made it difficult for civil society organisations to continue their good work.

But not all hope is lost. We are in a transitional phase where civil society must learn to adapt and face the new challenges presented by these difficult circumstances. Now, more than ever there is a need for engagement and dialogue. We must continue to strive for free and fair elections, but the immediate concerns are:- Read more...

* Convincing government to come to the negotiating table for an open, inclusive and independently facilitated dialogue process; and
*Ensuring that the return to democratic and constitutional rule occurs as soon as possible.

Without an ongoing commitment from all aspects of society to engage in dialogue, including from government and the military, the coup culture will prevail. With the right attitude, dialogue can bring people together and help reconcile Fiji with its past history of political instability.

Background

Let me begin by briefly summarising the events that led to the current crisis:-

Fiji has had 5 coups since achieving independence in 1970. Fiji is a multi-ethnic society, and striking the right balance between competing community interests has always presented a problem for the country.

Fiji has lived under effective military rule since 5th December 2006, when Commodore Frank Bainimarama, commander of the Royal Fiji Military Forces, deposed the elected Qarase government. At the time of the takeover, the interim government promised to uphold the Constitution and to rid the country of corruption and racist government policies.

In January 2008, the interim government established after the 2006 coup, in a bid to move the country forward, created the National Council for Building a Better Fiji (NCBBF), a council tasked with the drafting a roadmap forward called the “People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress”. This Charter’s objective was to address for the first time the roots causes of Fiji’s problems, particularly eradicating the coup culture. It was not designed to replace the Constitution, but rather to complement it. The Interim Government called upon all sectors and actors of society in Fiji (civil society, churches, institutions, etc) to participate in the debates and in the drafting of this Charter.

The issue of engaging or not engaging brought about a clear divide amongst civil society organisations in Fiji. Many of them refused to participate in this process, not because they disagreed with the idea of drafting a Charter for Fiji, but because the Charter had been initiated by the interim government, they saw any participation in the Charter process as implicit support for this illegal government.

Some NGOs, including CCF, decided to take a risk, and agreed to participate in the drafting of this charter.

CCF strongly condemned the 2006 coup. However, we felt that accepting to be part of the Charter process, which included sitting at one table with people from the military, was the only way to influence the process from inside, to move the country forward and also to provide input in terms of the values for which CCF has always stood. We were supporting the interim government’s idea of a Charter, not the government itself. Many of the concepts proposed under the Charter, including electoral reform to remove the race-based voting system, were things that CCF and other NGO’s had previously been lobbying for.

We made the decision to engage knowing that we would be criticized for it and that if our intention was misunderstood, we might run the risk of compromising CCF’s reputation.

We put the following conditions to our participation:

1. The 1997 Constitution would not be abrogated;
2. The process would not interfere with the roadmap for a return to democracy;
3. We would be as inclusive of possible, including also the parties and members of government who had been deposed;
4. There would be freedom of expression during the deliberation, and there would be no reprisals against people expressing opinions contrary to the those of the Interim Government
5. The future role of the military forces would be added to the agenda for consultation.

All these conditions were accepted at the time.

Legal Challenges to the 2006 Coup

Whilst this process was continuing, large parts of the Constitution were being ignored or violated by government, and despite promises of electoral reform and elections by March 2009, not enough progress has been made in returning Fiji to a parliamentary responsible system of government.

The ousted PM Qarase challenged his removal by Commodore Bainimarama in Court proceedings.

* At the first instance, the High Court (on 9 October 2008) declared the Interim regime valid. It held that the President had broad and unreviewable powers to rule indefinitely. This decision was appealed.

* CCF decided to get involved in the Appeal case as a friend of the court (amicus curiae) in order to assist with the complex constitutional issues of this case. Our concern was that the Constitution was not intact and that the decision offended the rule of law.

* On 9 April 2009, the Court of Appeal overturned the original decision and declared that the interim government was unconstitutional and unlawful.

* Bainimarama seemingly accepted the decision and stepped down as interim PM that evening.

*The following day, on Good Friday, 10 April 2009, President Iloilo abrogated the 1997 Constitution and dismissed all judges, promising a new legal order.

*On 11 April, the President then re-appointed the same PM and cabinet and implemented public emergency regulations.

o The regulations give broad powers to the police and military to search people and places, seize property, detain and interrogate people; and

o Substantially restricts freedom of assembly, freedom of movement and freedom of speech.

o These regulations are now likely to remain in place until the end of the year.

* All mainstream media outlets have at least one police officer and Ministry of Information officer to screen and censor all news items before publication or broadcasting. No negative remarks about the interim government are allowed. This led for example to:-

+ Fiji One news on Sunday 12 April to cancel the broadcasting of the 6:00 o’clock news.
+ On Sunday 12 and Monday 13, the Fiji Times was issued with large blank spaces where news items had been censored (see pictures).


* Tuesday 14 April, 3 foreign correspondents were deported from the country and one local journalist who worked with them was taken into custody.

* Since then, a number of journalists, activists and lawyers have been detained or questioned under the Public Emergency Regulations.

* A number of constitutional office holders (including the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Commissioner for Human Rights, Ombudsman and Governor of the Reserve Bank) have been removed from office without notice.

* On 15 April, the Fijian dollar was devaluated by 20% and the Australian Broadcasting Company’s radio transmitter was shut down.

* On 1 July, Bainimarama announced his “Strategic Framework for Change”, outlining his agenda for the next 5 years. On the same day, PER was extended officially for another month, following comments in an interview with Bainimarama that they would remain in place until at least December 2009.

A Strategic Framework for Change

On the face of it, this speech contains many promising commitments:-

* A focus on pro-growth and pro-poor policies;
* Re-engagement with Fiji’s neighbours and development partners;
* Modernising of infrastructure and government systems and organisation, including:-
* Divestment of government shares;
* Closure of non-performing entities; and
* Outsourcing to the private sector.
* Encouragement of the private sector to engage with government.

However, I do want to make the following observations:

1. The framework speech fails to address the critical issue that the abrogation of the Constitution, the failure to adhere to the rule of law, the lack of an independent judiciary and media censorship – which are all likely to deter foreign investment and international support.

2. The strategic framework is disappointing in that it provides no explanation for why discussion on a new Constitution cannot commence immediately. It gives us some indication of the areas in which government will seek to implement reforms, but leaves us in the dark as to how some of these reforms will take place.

3.The government reaffirms its commitment to improving accountability and transparency by improving institutions and laws, including the checks and balances under the Constitution, but has overlooked its own failings in this area. Without a Parliament, laws are passed in secret and public submissions are rarely called for. Annual reports on government spending are released to Cabinet and are no longer publicly available. This environment cannot facilitate government accountability and highlights the very need for constitutional protections on the powers of government.

4. Further, there is a real risk of entrenching permanent government control of media if censorship regulations continue for much longer. Already many organisations and individuals are afraid to speak openly against the interim government. The censorship has now extended beyond mainstream media, with the interim government controlling the speakers at events such as the Accountants Annual Conference, the Pacific Youth Festival, and the Methodist Church Conference.

Without any connection between government and the people, there is a risk of government policies becoming increasingly detached from the needs of the community. Now, more than ever there is a need for all sectors of the community to engage with government to ensure that this does not happen.

We may not like the timeframes imposed by the government, but we need to continue to work to ensure the ultimate objective of returning Fiji to democracy is achieved. In order for there to be a long term, sustainable return to democratic and constitutional rule, the people of Fiji need to be a part of that process. For this reason, an open, inclusive and independently facilitated national dialogue process can offer a way out of this political crisis in a manner which addresses the underlying issues which led to the 2006 coup.

What can be done to address the deficiencies that resulted in the coups?

The first few coups have generally occurred because the coup-makers manipulated the fears of the indigenous community – the first component of this fear, the fear of domination by another race, is no longer an issue as the Indo-Fijian population has decreased to 38 per cent. It is anticipated that by 2010, the Indo-Fijian population would have decreased to less that 35 per cent of the population – that is, almost half of the indigenous Fijian population.

The second fear – of economic domination, can only be addressed through economic development. Instead of relying on the civil service, diplomatic corps and the political arena to provide jobs, there is a need for the indigenous community to develop their land for economic income generation and venture into other areas of economic development. This fear also cannot be addressed by the private sector where also much of the population is employed. It can only be addressed by the indigenous community by taking and initiating development activities themselves.

The 2006 coup is different because the coup makers cited corruption, disrespect for law, and racist and controversial bills and policies by the deposed government, as reasons for the coup. While there can be no justification for the overthrow of any democratically-elected government, we still need to address the issues used to justify this coup, because it could be a problem for further generations.

Finding a solution to the Coup Culture

No one of us can claim to have a perfect solution to end the political crisis, inter-ethnic tensions or the coup culture in Fiji. Many of us have been proposing ways and means of doing this. The truth is that we will all need to work together to find a solution and commit as a nation to carry out that solution.

I believe the coup culture can be addressed through:

i) examining the role of the military – this has been done in the Charter process and I will later elaborate some of the recommendations from discussions. One of the conditions for CCF to become a member of the National Council for Building a Better Fiji was that the role of the military should be examined in the Charter process to find a way of ending the advent of military coups.

ii) electoral reforms to get rid of the race-based communal seats and adopting a proportional representation system which would better reflect the population at large. The elected leaders of Fiji have shown a general unwillingness to give appropriate number of seats in cabinet, to reflect the different ethnic communities here. This problem could be rectified through a proportional representation system, especially in light of the diminishing number of population of other ethnic groups, since the 1987, 2000 and 2006 coups. Ridding the country of the Alternative Vote system could end the trend of the past two elections where the elections resulted in polarised ethnic voting. The fact that race elements in the elections process is a problem has been acknowledged by mainstream political parties. At a recent meeting the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party made reforms to its constitution to remove racist elements. A copy of the revised SDL Constitution, with no racist elements has been sent to CCF. This is a positive move which shows the acknowledgement of this political party that racist policies are wrong and Fiji needs to get rid of it to move forward in a democratic way.

iii) electoral reforms which would give a fair representation to the diversity of political views that exist within the indigenous Fijians themselves. In the 2006 elections, there were a diverse range of Fijian political parties which appeared to have a small, but significant amount of support. However, the election results showed that none of them managed to win a single seat. This could be due to the use of fear in election campaigns to provoke people to engage in block voting along ethnic lines. If Fijians do not get to exercise their democratic right to choose political parties representing a diverse range of ideologies, then there is a greater danger of coups happening in future. A proportional representation system could address this issue through fairer representation of political parties, and also by getting rid of racial politics and politics of fear.

iv) introducing enabling legislation in Fiji to deal with racist activities, policies, political parties and organisations as per the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination or CERD. Only through legislation and prosecution of racist crimes can the message be sent out to everyone of the seriousness of such events, and prevent the use of the race card for political upheavals in future.

v) a political forum where the leaders of the political parties can come together and engage in sincere and serious dialogue and commit to resolutions of taking Fiji forward in a Constitutional manner that would also prevent further coups. The charter will not provide all the answers but nor will the election of 2009. We have deep seated ills which need to be resolved collectively now through political dialogue.

Action Needed to End a Coup Based Culture

Below are seven key principles from NCBBF to end the coup cycle:-

1. Removing the political, economic and social conditions for coups and strengthening the sanctions against coups.

2. Setting up processes to build national reconciliation and healing.

3. Redefining the role of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

4. Transforming the role of public leadership.

5. Taking action to improve ethnic relations.

6. Reforming the electoral system.

7. Re-looking at the overall national security system.

Below are some specific recommendations that fall under the above principles:-

1. remove the economic and social conditions that lead to coups.

2. Require all holders of public offices, including the military, to take an oath agreeing not to participate in coups.

3. Strengthen penalties and operation of criminal law in relation to offences related to coups.

4. Amending the Constitution to say that no coup can abrogate the Constitution.

5. Prohibiting participants in coups from holding public office in future.

6. Greater effort should be geared towards addressing the situation of the rural and urban poor in order to avoid social alienation and political manipulation.

7. Encouraging Indo-Fijian and Indigenous Fijian mutual partnerships in development, commerce and investments.

8. Any conviction of treason is to be subject to automatic life sentence.

9. Every politician who enters parliament must, as part of their oath of loyalty to the state, make a commitment not to participate in any future coups.

10. Participation in a coup to lead to immediate vacation of a public or chiefly office and forfeiture of all property owned by the individual.

11.UNDP should be approached to conduct a parliamentary oversight program for the military to ensure accountability of the military to parliament instead of just the government in power.

This program has worked admirably in many countries.Fiji needs to find a middle way to resolve the problems that has resulted in the four coups. Clearly, there have been no reforms in institutions or legislations to try and end the coup culture. In the aftermath of the 2000 and now the 2006 coup, dialogue has not been held to find a middle ground to take the country forward. CCF believes that an enduring dialogue process will enable us to find this middle ground. South Africa was able to avoid bloodshed and is moving towards better times after adopting the middle way through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Northern Ireland took the middle way by dialogue between the two extremes sides, the Protestants and Catholics who formed two opposing blocks in the population. A Community Relations Commission was formed by civil society representatives which presented a framework outlining what Northern Ireland could look like. They explored their differences from a strength-based position and realised that segregation was paralysing every single sector of the country. The Commission created the first integrated school and started inter-community projects. Closer to home, Bougainville, after losses of thousands of lives, has now a peace settlement, involving cooperation between participants. Fiji needs to go the middle way. This middle way can be found in an inclusive dialogue process.

Developments with a Dialogue Process

To answer this need for a national dialogue, a number of civil society organisations have collectively created a national dialogue process known as ‘Dialogue Fiji’. This initiative is designed to bring the interim government, political parties and civil society together for dialogue at one level, while providing a space for the general public to voice their opinions at another level. The initiative has been gradually built over the last 10 months. It now consists of an 11 member committee including representatives of the private sector, women’s NGOs and faith based organisations. This committee was selected by an assembly of over 30 civil society organisations. This committee in turn directs a full-time secretariat to organise and coordinate the initiative.

This initiative is still in its early stages, so I will not talk much further on its details. CCF, as members and co- founders of the initiative, have hope that the initiative at the very least will open avenues for solutions. But let’s not think that this is some magic pill, it can only provide the space not the solution. The solution comes from mutual respect, understanding and an ability to compromise.

As I have said I am extremely grateful to be given this opportunity to speak with you and I look forward to the open dialogue to follow I hope.


Friday 24 July 2009

Snippets: Political and Economic


Political News

The Ethnic Fijian Teachers Association, whose leaders have on several previous occasions taken an anti-government stance, has been criticized by Ministry of Education Filipe Bole for encouraging the recruitment of teachers for Australian schools, and warned disciplinary action will be taken if the recruitment includes serving teachers, whose loss would adversely affect education in Fiji and Government plans for education improvements. The Minister reminded the Union that FTA members are first and foremost civil servants, and that Government has invested heavily in their training. There are no objections to the recruitment of retired teachers. The Minister saw the Union's actions as anti-government. -- Based on Fiji Live.

US Ambassador Steven McGann (photo) has advised 30 new Peace Corps volunteers not to meddle in Fiji's political affairs, citing Pres. Barrack Obama's statement that no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other. --Fiji Live. Obama went on to say the US is willing to help see the election of a government that will empower the rights of people. -- Based on Fiji Village.

FSM Offers Some Support for Fiji.
The President of the Federated States of Micronesia has cautioned other Pacific Islands Forum members from being too hard on Fiji. President Emanuael Mori says Fiji must return to democratic rule, but there needs to be room to speak with the military regime. --Radio Australia.


Radio NZ International
. Its last four Fiji items were, as usual,
heavily weighted and from predictable sources. Listeners were left in no doubt about the "horrors" of the Bainimarama Government. With respected Fiji political scientist Dr Steve Ratuva now at Auckland University, I hope the NZ media will use him as a source of informed, impartial commentary on Fiji.


Economic News


Economy Better Than Some Predicted. Reserve Bank Governor Sada Reddy said that while Fiji’s economy is yet to emerge from the current difficulties faced in the global economy, foreign exchange reserves were F$700 million compares with F$441 million before the devaluation in mid-April. Liquidity also experienced a strong recovery to the current $200 million, compared to its critical $15 million low earlier this year. Reddy said this level of liquidity will allow for further reduction in lending rates and greater availability of credit and is expected to lead to higher investments and economic growth in due course. The governor emphasized, however, that credit must go towards high priority sectors which create employment and save or increase foreign reserves. -- Based on Fiji Live.

The Auction of Fiji's Momi resort scheduled for July 22 has been delayed for a month to allow potential bidders more time to do due diligence . Bayleys Real Estate is managing the mortgagee auction on behalf of the Fiji National Provident Fund, mortgagee in possession. The FNPF wants to recover the more than F$80 million (NZ$59.8 million) it invested in the partially-completed development, heralded as one of the largest ever undertaken in the South Pacific before work stopped in 2006. The now-bankrupt NZ firm Bridgecorp sank $NZ106 million in the development. -- Stuff.

FHL Gives Up BP Purchase. Indigenous Fijian investment group Fijian Holdings Ltd has abandoned its F$190 million intended purchase of oil giant BP (SW Pacific) Ltd due to delays in obtaining loan finance. The original deposits of approximately FJD $25,000,000 will be returned. The withdrawal of initial funding partner, Fiji National Provident Fund, had forced FHL to seek overseas loans. Type FNPF and/or FHL into "Search this Blog" to see earlier reports on this contentious purchase. --Based on Fiji Live.

Thursday 23 July 2009

(+) Ro Teimumu's Actions Deliberate, Calculated and ... Clever

UPDATE. Ro Teimumu, charged with Contravening Public Order Act, Breaching of Public Emergency Regulations and Inciting against Public Order by publishing a letter on the internet, was released on a bail of $500 yesterday.

The Revs Ame Tugaue and Tuikilakila Waqairatu, charged with Contravening Public Order Act and Contravening permit to hold meeting, have also been released on $500 bail orders, asked to surrender their passports, and told not to associate with former church presidents Manasa Lasaro and Tomasi Kanailagi, who will appear in court today. -- Information from Coupfourpointfive.

No matter how much her supporters may protest this is not the way to treat a chief, even if she did break the law; no matter whether she spent the night in police or army custody; whether the Public Emergency Regulations are "right" or "wrong," or the Bainimarama regime legitimate or otherwise, there can be absolutely no doubt that Ro Teimumu's action in publishing a public web statement that the Methodist Annual Conference would be held in Rewa (in defiance of the Government ruling that the Conference would not be held) was a very deliberate and calculated decision. There is little doubt either that she expected to be arrested. It would not have served her purpose not to be.

So what did she hope to achieve? That the military leadership would change its mind, back down and allow the Conference? I doubt it. Did she seek the accolades of the Methodists and Fijian nationalists? No. She is a Catholic, and she already had the support of her own people, as well as that of extreme Fijian nationalists. Accolades from civil rights activists? Unlikely. Chiefs and democracy seldom go together, and although normally a pleasant, friendly person, she was never noted for her defence of democracy or civil rights.

Ro Teimumu is a chief but she is also a politician. She was Minister of Education in the ousted Qarase SDL-led Government. She played a major part in the Great Council of Chiefs' rejection of Bainimarama's candidate, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, for Vice-President. She helped to re-politicize the GCC that only a few years earlier had vowed to de-link from politics. Her statement earlier this week was a political statement coming from a chief with a political purpose, no different, in this respect, than most of her public statements since 2006. I am sure she has some sympathy for the Methodists and her Rewan subjects who were to host the Methodist Conference, but I doubt this was her major purpose.

My interpretation is that her primary purpose is
to use the Conference as a means to create unrest and rally mass Fijian support for a political cause she shares with extreme Fijian nationalists. That is, to overthrow the Bainimarama government and see the return of a government that puts chiefly, and Fijian elite rights and privileges, ahead of those of other citizens, including those of ordinary Fijians. This is not because she is an unfeeling person but rather, I suspect, because she believes chiefs are born to rule, and that Fiji, first and foremost, must be for Fijians.

But Some traction, some gain, must come from the past three years. I say this with no disrespect for Ro Teimumu or the Fijian chiefly system. But in the modern, multi-ethnic, multi-religious state of Fiji, Fijian chiefs and national politics -- and religion and politics -- should be kept apart, and the concepts of vanua, lotu and matanitu, as they apply to the 21st century, need to be re-thought. The prostrate bodies of slaves should no longer be used as rollers to launch Ro Teimumu's or anyone else's waqa drua. Over the next few weeks ordinary Fijians should be particularly wary of such manipulation by chiefs, church and the SDL.

Will Ro Teimumu's plan work? It's early days, but if the Fiji Live poll on Fiji's readmittance to PI Forum free trade talks is any indication (which, deeper down, is not a totally different issue) she seems to have gained -- and the Government lost -- considerable traction. A week ago over 60% of pollsters favoured Fiji's admission; today it's dropped to 44%. The knee-jerk reaction of decent Fiji citizens is to sympathize with this "wronged," decent woman "abused" by the military. Ro Teimumu, who is no fool, would have known this, too.

For the Fiji Times report on the Ro Teimumu and Church Ministers' arrest and release on bail, click here.

Waqa Drua = Large double-hulled canoes, some as long as 30 metres, capable of carrying up to 200 people, and faster than contemporary European ships. Photo: Fiji Times.

Snippets: Vatukoula, Fatiaki, Evangelizing, Chaudhry, Rotuma Acts, Media Impartiality


Going For Gold. For an update on the troubled gold industry and the mining town of Vatukoula, and plans for the future, click here.

Fatiaki joins Madraiwiwi in Vanuatu. Former Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki, removed from office by Bainimarama in 2006 on charges that were later withdrawn, is the new Chief Justice in Vanuatu. Fatiaki is one of a number of Rotumans who have distinguished themselves in a number of private and public positions in Fiji. [Rotuma, annexed by Britain in 1881 and today part of Fiji, is 500km north of Lautoka. Culturally distinct from ethnic Fijians, Rotumans in Rotuma and Fiji proper were represented in parliament by one MP.The island is administered by a council of elected members and chiefs which nominated one member of the Fiji Senate.]

Rotuma Acts Reviewed. Marieta Rigamoto, Rotuman former Information Minister, thinks Government's decision to review the Rotuma Act and the 1959 Rotuma Lands Act is a great opportunity for Rotumans to comment on legislation that was "not accepted by the people ...I think it's about time. I'm thankful and grateful that the review has started", she said. Based on Fiji Times article. Former Rotuma district officer and resident magistrate Fred Susau said it was high time a review was done on the legislation which have been in existence since the 1930's and 1950's. He said the most problematic issues in the land tenure system were the determination of customary ownership, land boundaries and provision of funds to carry out the survey. "The review should consider special provisions and reforms for the improvement of its administration and court systems on the island ... It should provide better and efficient services such as law and order, health and education as well as the composition and functions of the Council of Rotuma." Based on Fiji Times article.

All Faiths May Evangelize. Police Commissioner Cde Esala Teleni has given the green light to all faiths in the country to carry out evangelism in any police post or station in the country. Police believed that this is one way of reaching out to vulnerable youths and families. They credit the religious "crusades" for a 20% drop in the crime rate for the first six months this year. The Crusade is one of the five pillars the Police Force will resort to fight crime in the country. Click here.

Chaudhry Thinks Baininmarama's Priorities All Wrong. Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry thinks Bainimarama's "Strategic Framework for Change" has got the timing of its priorities "all wrong if it thought it could shelve a resolution to the country’s political crisis for three years while it focused on economic and infrastructure development. We should have learnt from our recent past just how important political stability is for economic well being. Unless we have a stable, inclusive and democratic political environment acceptable to the international community and our development partners, it will be very difficult to create the investor confidence necessary to stimulate private sector growth," Chaudhry said. To read the Coupfourpointfive account, that includes criticism of Chaudhry, click here. The FLP website address.

Media Impartiality: Well and Truly Gone? Coupfourpointfive claims Radio Fiji and Communications Fiji Ltd - which operates five radio stations - two Hindi, two English and one Fijian station, State-owned Radio Fiji, privately owned Legend FM and the Fiji Sun newspaper are "continuing to give prominence and prime air time" to the Bainimarama Government. "The last shreds of [their] neutrality, independence and impartiality ... has well and truly gone."
Comment: It does not seem too long ago, in the days of the so-called "free press," when Government's views were swamped by those of its opponents. None of those protesting now, did so then when only this blogsite published items on media bias.

Wednesday 22 July 2009

(o+) Ro Teimumu, Methodist Ministers Being Questioned

Ro Teimumu, paramount chief of the Burebasaga confederacy, former Minister in the ousted SDL-led Government and an outspoken opponent of the Bainimarama Government, and at least four Methodist clergymen, including the controversial Revs Kanailagi and Lasaro, have been taken in for questioning about their rumoured plans to proceed with the Methodist Church's August Annual Conference in Rewa, to be hosted by Ro Teimumu, despite Government's refusal to grant the assembly a permit during the Public Emergency. Last week the Church broke the conditions of a permit, that required the non-attendance of Revs Laraso and Kanailagi, by holding a standing committee meeting in Suva. It was apparently at this meeting the decision was made to proceed with the Conference, with or without Government permission. The Government position is that Kanailagi and Lasaro (and no doubt others) will use the Conference for political purposes which, in Fiji's present political climate, could threaten public order and national security.

If it is true the church intends to proceed with the Conference -- and my inside sources indicate it is -- this is a very serious development that could bring Church and Government into a head-on collision. I sympathise with the church's position, and the loss of funding the conference cancellation would bring, but there can be no doubt that the Kanailagi/Lasaro mix of religion with extreme Fijian nationalism has been an unhealthy (and, indeed, an unChristian) element of the Church for some time. But whatever the rights and wrongs of the current situation one hopes, for the sake of Fiji, that ways will be found to avert major confrontation before it turns really ugly. Click here for the full Fiji Times article.

Tuesday 21 July 2009

(G) Bainimarama on Media, Socio-Economic Infrastructure First, then the Constitution and Elections


Speaking at Nadi yesterday, PM Bainimarama said Fiji would have have what he called "a modern day constitution" well before the 2014 elections, but that Government's focus for the next three years will be be on improving "socio-economic and infrastructure conditions throughout the country.” This will include encouraging the private sector and the media to join Government in initiatives that will be pro-growth and pro-poor.

Work on the new constitution will start in September 2012, two years before the elections. It will include provisions that “will entrench common and equal citizenry, it must not have ethnic-based voting; the voting age shall be 18; and it must have systems that hold elected governments accountable with more checks and balances." Public consultations on the constitution will include discussionon the “size of the new Parliament, the appropriateness of a bi-cameral system, the term of office of a government and systems of checks and balances”. Based on Fiji Live.

Past Media Culture Not Conducive to National Unity and Progress


Speaking of the Public Emergency Regulations, he said divisive policies and the past media culture was not conducive to national unity and progress. PERS was a temporary measure, that seeks to provide a stable socio-political platform conducive to the government's nation building initiatives. He said the government wants a Fiji where opportunities are equally available to the different ethnic groups that make Fiji what it is. While strongly believing in media freedom and freedom of expression, he said, media freedom is not absolute and the media must exercise this freedom and right to express oneself with greater responsibility. The media must ensure that their work does not impact negatively on the rights of others or the stability and wellbeing of the nation. Based on Fiji Village.

B
ainimarama was speaking to delegates at the 35th Annual Gathering and 8th Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) General Conference.

Sunday 19 July 2009

(o) Snippets: Madraiwiwi, Sogavere, Keys, Garments, the Nadi "Sorcerers"

Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, now a member of the Solomon Island Truth and Reconciliation Commission, believes Fiji may one day benefit from a similar commission to tackle unresolved issues such as “interethnic and interethnic tensions arising out of May, 2000 and earlier, unresolved issues from the mutiny and other deaths in custody, and religious intolerance”. Fiji Live.

Dual Citizenship.
Fiji citizens will no longer need to renounce their Fiji citizenship if they become citizens of another country. The provision will be of special value to Fiji citizens living overseas, particularly those who left for reasons of insecurity following each of Fiji's four coups.

PSC Cuts. A Public Service proposal of a voluntary redundancy package offered to some 5,000 civil servants close to retirement could cut 20% off current civil service costs, if approved by Government. Fiji Live.

Solomons v. Samoa. ABC reports that Solomon Islands opposition leader Maaasseh Sogavare has strongly criticized Samoan PM Tuilaepa Sailele for what he called "irresponsible comments in the media about Fiji." Sogavare was reacting to Tuilaepa's comments that tougher action should be taken to force Fiji's return to democratic rule, a position contrary to last week's Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting that called for Fiji's readmission to the PI Forum and PACER talks.

John Keys's Faux Pas
I missed it but according to the NZ Herald's Political Diary, John Key made a "faux pas on his Pacific trip by likening Fiji and Samoa to 'children' and adding that one was "wayward." Faux pas? Definition: Act that compromises one's reputation; an offence against social convention; an indisceet speech or action. French = false step.

Garment Exports Up. Earnings from garment exports last year totalled $100.1 million, up $3.1 million on 2007, and $5.7 on 2006 but far below the 2000 peak of $322 million. Reduction in the world trade rules and competition since 2000 has resulted in many factory closures. Type "wages" or "garments in "Search the Blog" to see earlier posts on an industry that was once Fiji's largest employer.

You've Got to Laugh. It turns out the "sorcerers" arrested on the suspicions of local Nadi villagers were Free Masons whose ancient rituals led to the villagers' suspicions. All 14 were released the next day.

Friday 17 July 2009

(+G) Tribunal to Discipline Civil Servants

Fiji Live reports another step in the Government's "clean up" campaign: a tribunal to hear serious cases within the civil service.

A Public Service Disciplinary Tribunal will be established soon to speed up the Fiji Governments’ initiatives in achieving an accountable and professional Public Service. Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the most time consuming cases are mainly the disciplinary cases from various ministries and departments. These cases are partly heard or deferred to a later date, due to the time consuming process of disposal, each case takes. He said over the years, the Public Service Commission has been dealing with various cases in the Public Service, most of which had to be heard over two to three days or more to conclude.

“Further delays are caused since the more important pressing cases that urgently require the Commission’s decisions takes precedence over the disciplinary cases.” He said that the establishment of the tribunal will provide adequate time for the Commission to concentrate on more serious and important matters of national interest and enable it to achieve its core objectives.

The tribunal will be made up of three members with a legally qualified person with not less than seven years post bar admission experience, as chairperson. The chairperson is to be appointed by the Commission in consultation with the Prime Minister. The other two members appointed are to be retired civil servants at director level or above and are to be appointed by the PSC. Members of the Tribunal will be appointed on a three year contract, which will be renewable. The Public Service (Discipline) Regulation 2009 will be formulated to govern the functions and operations of the Tribunal. FijiLive

Wednesday 15 July 2009

(o) Media RoundUp; Bloggers Rodeo

POSTSCRIPT: Driti denies rumours. Click here.
Mere McCutchan's Parrot

There's something unreal about recent reports from Fiji, as the mainstream media, limited by Government censorship, continue to publish mainly inconsequential non-news articles in protest against media restrictions, or in place of the articles they'd like to write. Take, for example, the front-page feature in yesterday's on line Fiji Times --- Mere McCutcheon's parrot. "Mere McCutchan had just awoken and was preparing breakfast yesterday when she heard something outside ......"

True, the paper did have a small feature on shops and businesses returning to normal business hours (highlighted by Fiji Village) and on a possible apology to former Methodist Church president Rev. Josateki Koroi,* but these serious items were accompanied by another non-news item, "Full House for Harry Potter."

Fiji Village had more "news" coverage with items on the business hours (the emergency regulations being lifted on businesses), swine flu, a police enquiry into sorcery, and Qarase's appeal to leave the country again, which is opposed by FICAC (the Corruption Commission, because the Qarase case is pending). The Fiji Daily Post turned media restriction into media opportunity with a fascinating story of the Taunova Bay Resort manager's plans to put 1,000 acres to agricultural use (this is well worth reading), and the Fiji Sun did likewise with a feature on $3m being pumped into ailing Labasa. On balance, with so many non-news stories, readers would think little is happening in Fiji, but in this they'd be wrong if anti-government blogs located outside the country are any guide.

Bloggers' Rodeo:Jump on for the Ride
Most of these blogs republish each other's postings but over the past week all have been publishing items of alleged unrest in the military. It is impossible to know whether the items have any substance or whether they are published (and republished) as part of a campaign to confuse and destabilise -- or both, with the blog stories feeding the unrest.

Last week CoupFourpointfive reported Bainimarama had suspended Land Force Commander Pita Driti and Commanding officer of the 3rd Infantry Regiment Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara. But on Monday the story was that it was Driti and Ratu Tevita telling Bainimarama to step down, and yesterday (Wednesday) it's back to Bainimarama telling Driti and Ratu Tevita again. Yet both officers were reported taking morning tea on Monday at the barracks and neither has made a public statement. To keep the pot boiling, the blogs also reported tension "within the ranks" over Bainimarama's cancellation of the Methodist Conference, saying "inside sources" said the Conference will go ahead despite the cancellation.

If these confusing accounts were not enough, at 1:20pm on Tuesday the blog FijiCoup2006, run by Sai Lealea, formerly of the NZ Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs in Wellington, published an item headed "Change in Fiji Military Leadership Underway Now." But then mysteriously the post was removed, with no explanation offered. Was someone pulling Sai's leg or did the change become unstuck?

It really is very difficult to know what's going on. There may well be some truth in the blog stories but I wish the blogs, and the generally more reasoned Coupfourpointfive in particular, would make more effort to check their sources, or a least give some indication of probable reliability. As long as the Government (in my opinion, unwisely) continues to censor the media, bloggers are too important a source of information to be ignored by readers who may find too many of their stories unreliable or unfounded. Photo Fiji Times.

*Rev. Koroi was forceably deposed for his opposition to the "pro-Fijian" 1987 Coup by Rev. Manasa Lasaro who actively supported all the Coups before the last one. It is Lasaro's and Rev. Tomasi Kanailagi's rabid ethno-nationalist politics that Bainimarama wants removed from the Church. If they had resigned, Bainimarama would have had no obvious reason to cancel the Methodist Church Conference. One presumes their failure to do so is a political statement.

Monday 13 July 2009

(o+) Biketawa Says Address "Underlying Causes": Somare

UPDATE 22 July 2009. The blog Stuckinfijimud has an interesting article by Jenny Hayward-Jones entitled "Is the MSG a Threat to Pacific Unity?" in which she points to contradictory comments coming from MSG members.


The Biketawa Declaration should be the compass for the Melanesian Spearhead Group as leaders examine ways and means of assisting Fiji return to democracy, says Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. “As we try to examine ways and means of assisting Fiji and bringing it back to democracy our compass must be the Biketawa Declaration which we all committed ourselves to,” he said while addressing the MSG in Vanuatu.

“The Biketawa Declaration calls us to "take action on the basis of all members being part of the Pacific Islands extended family’.”He said Fiji was a member of the family.“Biketawa also instructs us to address 'underlying causes of tensions and conflict'. Not simply addressing the symptoms of conflict,” he said -- Fiji Sun



(-) The Moral Gutting of Fiji ..... Narsey

In a 15-page but well spaced article, USP Economics Professor Waden Narsey takes every one the Government's actions and stated intentions to pieces, nut by nut and bolt by bolt. He covers the whole institutional scene, from the President down to social and sports organizations, showing how, in his opinion, the whole of Fiji society is unravelling. Along the way he has harsh words to say about those who, for various reasons, have offered the Bainimarama regime support. The full article may be read on a number of anti-Government blogs, and on MediaFire by clicking here. This post has been abbreviated due to its availability elsewhere.

(o+) Somare on Fiji Situation

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has given his full support to Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and his new road map for Fiji.

In an interview with the Grand Chief yesterday, a day after the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meet in Vanuatu, he said just like his counterparts he was pleased that the Fijian leader was there to brief them personally on the situation in Fiji." We've heard from the Fijian leader of the situation in Fiji and I fully support the new road map," Sir Michael said."I am pleased and grateful that we are able to have in our midst our colleague from Fiji and he should be rest assured that the MSG supports him."

Speaking on the issue of Fiji’s suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum and the Commonwealth Sir Michael said he would totally oppose the move. “I for one do not believe that such an action is helpful to the process of returning Fiji to the democratic fold. I will oppose such moves.”He told his MSG counterparts that the people of Fiji needed them more than ever before.“MSG must show leadership on Fiji issue. Let us work towards a long term solution that together that is forward-looking, proactive and constructive for our Fijian friends- not some band aid solution.”

Past experience, he said, suggested that hurriedly prepared elections and superficial tinkering of rules did not usher in real democracy.He said the current MSG chair and PM of Vanuatu had been tasked through the joint communiqué to formally present the case of Fiji’s suspension to the Cairns Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting. He said while the Vanuatu meeting was specifically to help a member of the MSG family of nations, they obviously could not impose their will on Fiji.“All of us - as MSG countries - must find a way forward together by mutual consent. This would require meeting each other midway on any proposed actions.”

From PNG’s stand as an elected government, Sir Michael said they would prefer to see solutions to be conducted within a constitutional framework. This he said would lend the necessary legitimacy to actions.“For any actions to succeed, it must have the support for all stakeholders in Fiji,” Sir Michael said.“Change through consent is more durable. In this regard, I beg the indulgence and understanding of the Fiji Government.” Sir Michael said he was prepared to approach the Fiji issue with a fresh outlook.“Let us forget the past disappointments and differences,” he said. “Let us dig deep within our souls and find the necessary compromises that would move Fiji closer towards democracy.”

He firmly believed Fiji’s problems could only be resolved the Pacific Way.

Report and photo Fiji Sun.

(o) Australia Takes, Pacific Gives in Trade Talks: How Free is Free Trade?


Roderick Ewins* writes favourably of Adam Wolfenden's article we published earlier (see "Why the Rush over PACER?") and adds his own warning about what "free trade" may mean for Pacific Islanders' "rights."

This is a truly insightful article by one who is deeply immersed in the struggle to secure fairness in the trade area, and is justifiably afraid that the Pacific islands are on the point of being gulled into accepting a deal that is anything BUT fair. It is somewhat ironic that Fiji has been frozen out of the talks that are promoting this imbalance, by the very proponents of it, Australia and NZ. As a result, Fiji might, with a bit of luck, escape what others may be sucked into.

Back in 2004 I wrote to the anthropology community describing my great misgivings at Australia (under Howard of course) signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. My fears were that from what I had been able to glean, under such agreements Aboriginal rights (or indeed the rights of a number of parties in a number of areas) could not be protected without Australia being legally challenged for infringing the agreement. There was a flurry of interest from some fellow academicsand one or two Aboriginal rights advocates, no reply from DFAT to my and many other public requests for reassurances on these and other issues, and it was duly signed and became law in Jan 2005:

Should we ever get a government in Australia that might truly wish to protect Aboriginal or other ordinary Australians' rights against big business, they would very probably find this FTA very difficult to get around, just as the government of Peru is currently finding with a similar FTA. Check out this site. Of course that is a big "if" and there is no available evidence any such government is anywhere in sight, so presumably any such conflict would merely be ruled in favour of the US because of the FTA.

That, it would seem, is the scenario that Aus/NZ are now wishing to visit on the small governments of its neighbours in the Pacific. Only this time, they are the ones set to gain, and the littlies the ones to lose. I guess it's a case of "Try and do unto others that which has been done to you".


*Dr Rod Ewins is a fourth generation European Fijian born in Ba and now resident in Australia. An anthropologist with close links to the Fiji Museum, he has researched many aspects of Fijian art and material culture. He has also written on political issues such as the Fijian Western Confederacy and Speight's 2000 Coup.

(o) Honiara's and Auckland's Gain; Fiji's Loss

While congratulations are due to Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi and Dr Sitiveni Ratuka who are to take up overseas appointments shortly, their "on site" clear thinking will be a loss to Fiji at this (apparently never ending) critical time.

Rt Joni, former Vice-President, former High Court judge and a prominent lawyer, has a 15-month (plus a possible further 9) appointment to the Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Honiara -- an experience that should prove useful in Fiji!

USP's Dr Ratuva, the Pacific's foremost political sociologist and a long-time commentator and columnist on Fiji's politics, has accepted a secondment at the University of Auckland. We look forward to seeing him being interviewed by NZTV and the Maori TV soon! His Fiji: Multiple Battlelines: Who is Winning? feature is a "must," as is Ratu Joni's "Fiji in 2001". Write "Ratu Joni" in "Search this Blog", then click on the box "Background material" to access.

Sunday 12 July 2009

(oG) Fiji’s Right to Regional Talks Acknowledged

This FijiLive posting enlarges on the earlier release of Melanesian Spearhead Group support for what Bainimarama is trying to do. It is an important post, dealing with regional trade, but because it has been vetted by censors it becomes more a Government statement than a media release.

Saturday 11 July 2009

Bainimarama wins over Melanesian countries - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Bainimarama wins over Melanesian countries

By Sean Dorney in Port Vila

The leaders of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have given their f.ull backing to an attempt to have Fiji's suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum lifted. Fiji's military leader Frank Bainimarama secured their support at a meeting in Port Vila. At a news conference the chairman of the group, Vanuatu's Prime Minister Edward Natapei, said the leaders praised Commodore Bainimarama's strategic framework for change for Fiji as reflecting a clear vision to achieve sustainable democracy.

That strategic framework would see Commodore Bainimarama stay in power for at least another five years without elections. Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, said he had been convinced that some of Commodore Bainimarama's plans were good for Fiji.The Melanesian countries say they will take Fiji's case for withdrawing its suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum to next month's leaders' meeting in Cairns.

COMMENT: It would seem that for all their well-meaning diplomacy and aid, Australian and New Zealand politicians (and, presumably, their advisers) have a lot to learn about their Pacific neighours. The Melanesian Spearhead Group decision does not bode well for the health of the PI Forum, unless Australia and New Zealand are prepared to back down. For the record, the population of the MSG totals about 7.5 millon; that of other Island Forum members well under one million; Australia 21 million and NZ 4 million.

POSTSCRIPT. Coupfourpointfive reports: "The president of the Australian-based Fiji Democracy Movement, Usaia Waqatairewa, says the people of Fiji feel betrayed by the Melanesian leaders' failure to stand up for them." With such a bold claim, we are entitled to ask: Which people? How does he know? Who does his organization represent? How can be proclaim to represent the people of Fiji? My reading of the situation is that the country is deeply divided, and within this broad division there are several groups of opinions on desired outcomes. More than one of them will welcome the Melanesian leaders' decision.

(o) Pacific Merry-Go-Round* and Snippets

UPDATE. See previous post. Bainimarama Wins Over M elanesian Countries.

While Qarase and Chaudhry were making hay while the sun shines (see previous post)
Bainimarama had "gone west" to meet with Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime and Foreign Ministers in Pt Vila, Vanuatu, to reassure them of the Fiji situation and hopefully gain their support against exclusion from PACER and PI Forum meetings.

With the next Forum due to meet in Cairns in early August -- and PACER high on the agenda -- Australia and New Zealand are also engaged in a little discreet lobbying. Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific, Duncan Kerr, has just finished a whistle-stop tour of Micronesian Forum member countries, Palau, Marshall Islands, Fed. States of Micronesia, where he "discussed the Forum agenda," and is on his way south to Nauru, Kiribati and Tuvalu for similar discussions.

Not to be outdone, NZ PM John Key took on Polynesia with a visit to Tonga, Samoa and Niue (where the Premier and Forum Chairperson Toke Talagi, asked for more open aid for tourism). To complete the merry-go-round, NZ Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has just left to cover Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati and Tuvalu in almost as many days.

In this electronic age, you'd think there were cheaper ways to discuss an agenda, though the "personal touch" may help to win over wavering supporters, and Messrs Kerr, Key and McCully may learn a little more about the Pacific. There does seem to be a lot of expensive scurrying around in advance of the Forum meeting. Perhaps Pacific Island votes to keep Fiji out are not as assured as we have been told.

* Photo credit www.nca-usa.org. A merry-go-round is a fairground amusement contraption consisting of a rotating platform with seats on "horses" for passengers who merrily ride round and round. See earlier posts on PACER by typing PACER in "Search this Blog;" do the same for PI Forum, or go to Labels/Index for earlier related posts.


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