(o) The Brij Lal Incident: Disentangling the Consequences

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Logo: Clean up Fiji. Fiji Times.

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

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

Inspiration

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cartoon: cartoonstock.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(o) Professor Brij Lal's Detention and Deportation

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brief Biography

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources: Wikipedia and various.

(o) NZ Travel Advisories Update: How to Escalate the Tension. Go and Enjoy the Warmth and Sunshine

NZ has changed its Fiji travel advisories. NZers thinking of visiting Fiji are warned

• Fewer services will be available at the High Commission now the acting High Commissioner has left
• Civil unrest cannot be "ruled out" 
• Check your insurance policy  
  

Comments

• Fewer services because there's one staff member less?
• To my knowledge no visitor or tourist has ever been injured, harassed or had travel plans disrupted  as a result of civil unrest during any of Fiji's four coups
• Insurance policies may not cover all eventualities directly resulting from civil unrest. Neither do they insure against strikes but no advisory mentioned this -- nor were the strikes  mentioned on the main TV News -- during the recent New Caledonian strike when stikers barricaded northern towns and troops were employed in Noumea suburbs.  

MFAT has to  update advisories. The media has to report them (and, for a personal touch,  ask Minister McCully what he thinks: "Civil unrest cannot be ruled out". Thank you, Minister)

But someone could have put the advisories into a more honest and less scary  format.  
My advisory? Go and enjoy the warmth and sunshine.

(o) Tit-for-Tat Doesn't Work:'Smart' or Dumb Sanctions

Why ANZ Sanctions for Fiji Suck 

Or Elevating Inflexibility

Scott MacWilliam, formerly USP, currently ANU

The most recent development in ANZ-Fiji relations shows clearly why the model of sanctions being imposed on the South Pacific nation-state encourages tit-for-tat, ill-conceived moves by all parties. While one view is that ANZ governments have been deliberately egging on the Fiji military government to become ever more extreme, this seems a less likely explanation than another possibility. I favour the view that none of the three countries’ governments have much idea of how to resolve the current break-down in relations.

Australia and New Zealand are following an internationally favoured sanctions template, which has the virtue that it reduces the need for tactical thinking based in local knowledge. The Fiji military too, understands this template and is in a no stronger position to understand why the ‘super-powers’ of the South Pacific seem only to be capable of punitive actions.

Sometimes flattered as representing ‘smart sanctions’, like all templates this one is rather rigid, a one-size- fits-all model which passes for a strategy and from which certain tactics automatically follow.  It is an especially easy model to follow for politicians, diplomats and their advisers who have little local knowledge. In particular, a prescribed set of sanctions makes it possible to avoid thinking whether these advance or retard the cause of bringing democracy to Fiji. Far easier to bar people in any way serving the Fiji government and administration from travelling to or through ANZ.

A clue to why it is vital to consider whether such sanctions are ‘smart’ or ‘dumb’ can be gauged from interim PM Frank Bainimarama’s response to the latest ANZ efforts. Advice from an Australian official to a Sri Lankan travelling to Fiji to take up a judicial appointment has led to a further major breach of diplomatic relations. Fiji’s PM and the Chief Justice Anthony Gates have both pointed out that this behaviour is a breach of Fiji’s sovereignty. The way both men have framed their objection provides the key to what is missing – a regard for  indigenous nationalism, particularly among the educated elite, which is on the rise across the South Pacific. Friends and associates from across the region regularly make the point: ‘we appreciate Australian aid, scholarships, study opportunities etc but we are Papua New Guineans/Solomon Islanders, ni-Vanuatu/Fijians first’.

An earlier generation of Australians and New Zealanders understood the power of the sentiment and often were the most vociferous anti-colonial nationalists. But this knowledge has been lost across the years. When the current Australian PM Kevin Rudd calls ex-Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama ‘this guy’, he is regarded as showing disrespect not only to the interim PM but also to the people of Fiji. Rudd should know this, had he any awareness of Fijian nationalism. But he does not even though he regularly pulls on the trappings of Australian nationalism to justify his own behaviour.

Unfortunately it is not simply PM Rudd who has no understanding of the region. When an editor of one of the leading newspapers cannot tell Papua New Guineans Sir Michael Somare and Sir Rabbie Namaliu apart for a front page caption, then the lack of awareness clearly is deep in the Australian elite. This insensitivity, this lack of regard for the foremost representatives of South Pacific peoples, rankles across the region. It is not only Sir Michael Somare who has been deeply offended, and who in turn has retaliated on various occasions.

The current sanctions template encourages this insensitivity, makes it possible to avoid trying to understand what motivates people in power in each country. No need to think when steps 1, 2, 3 and so on are in the play book. The sanctions model also makes it possible for politicians and other officials in each country to take advice only from the people who agree with their ‘line’. It is not only Fiji where dissident voices are given no serious consideration, even if in Australia and New Zealand they are occasionally allowed to ventilate concerns.

It is time for the Melanesian Spearhead Group, with people who represent both the first generation of anti-colonial nationalists and the new generation of post-colonial nationalists to find a way of showing what the Australian and New Zealand governments do not, and probably can not, know. As long as they are wedded to the sanctions model of non-diplomacy, certainly the ‘super-powers’ will be do more harm than good.

(o) Fijj Expells High Commissioners. Sad Day for All

Coupfourpointfive  reports  that Fiji has given Australia and New Zealand 24 hours to remove their representatives. Fiji will also be recalling its High Commissioners.  The recent visa issues involving Fiji's judiciary are the obvious reason. Fiji sees these incidents as interference with its judiciary and an attempt to undermine an essential function of the state. I think Fiji's reaction an unwise over-reaction of no  benefit to the country. But this is not the first time Bainimarama has acted like this. I wonder why Australia and New Zealand did not anticipate his response. But perhaps they did! 

It is time all parties showed some skills in diplomacy. Knee-jerk reactions and inflexible policies have done nothing to improve the situation for the past three years.

(+) Australia's DFAT in Denial Mode

First NZ over Anjala Wati's visa. Not denied, just a long time processing.  Now Australia over the Sri Lankan judges. Not denied, just eight days to process --  and a few "friendly" warnings. 

Interesting also that ABC's Pacific Beat, in reporting DFAT's denial, continues to seek and report comments from anti Fiji Government experts. This time Brij Lal; other times Jonathan Fraenkel.  Why didn't they also contact Rod Ewins in Tasmania (see earlier post) or -- more obviously -- one of the Sri Lankan judges?

Admittedly, ABC's Pacific Beat correspondent Campbell Cooney once rang me from Melbourne.  He seemed a reasonable bloke and we spoke for a while, but as far as I know he never used what I said, and he never rang back. And this also goes for other media too!  For the record: ABC receives funding from the Australian Government  but insists it is independent.

Australia and New Zealand Stuff Up in Fiji
"It is very revealing that with travel to Fiji booming, every single Aussie and Kiwi I spoke to while in Fiji last week could not understand why the Australia and New Zealand Governments had implemented travel advisories to Fiji." -- John Alwyn-Jones, e-Travel Blackboard Correspondent.

To be pedantic, the NZ advisory is no worse than that for the UK (watch out for terrorists) but it's the accumulated baggage that comes from almost all sources that spells out the NZ Government's and media's position.

Photo: Map Sri Lanka CNN

(o+) More on NZ, Australian Travel Bans

(o) NZ Refutes Gates' Allegation

Fiji Village reports the NZ HighCom as saying the delay in issuing Judge Anjala Wati's medical visas was because some issues needed clarification. If the visa had been denied, as claimed by Chief Justice Gates, the Wati family passports would have been returned. Instead, they were retained by the HC and returned later with the visas included. New Zealand says travel ban exemptions have always been made where medical, humanitarian, or compassionate grounds have been substantiated.

Who to believe? There's probably some truth in both statements. No absolute denial; just a little bit of preliminary intimidation.

For a full account, including details of Anjala's interview at the High Com in NZ Stuff, click here.

(+) Ewins Rescues Australia's Reputation. He writes ...

Bravo to Chief Justice Gates for his statement on the travel bans imposed by Australia and New Zealand on the judiciary and magistracy of Fiji.The instances he cites, from Judge Wati's baby to the attempted intimidation of Sri Lankan judges, make infuriating reading. But so does the arrogant disdain shown to the Chief Justice of an independent judiciary in a sovereign nation neighbouring their home countries, by the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners in response to his approaches. If this is how our "diplomats" behave, then there must be an attempt to re-define the meaning of the word diplomacy in Antipodean manuals. Like Humpty Dumpty retorting to Alice in "Through the Looking Glass", they apparently believe it is their word, and means whatever they want it to. One can only hope they meet HD's fate.

They shame us, the citizens of their countries, as does the policy they mindlessly enforce without doing as in good conscience they should, and make strong representations to their own  governments to have these unjustifiable policies dropped.

Rod Ewins

* Fiji-born, of four generations of Fiji Ewins, Dr Rod Ewins is a social anthropologist, artist and author who has researched Fijian art and culture for over 20 years. For information on his latest book Staying Fijian, click here.  He lives in Nubeena, Tasmania.

(+) Australia, How Low Can You Go?

The Fij Times reports that the Sri Lankan judges and magistrates seconded by the Sri Lankan government to Fiji for 2-3 years were denied transit visas through Australia and had to travel via Korea. In addition, the judges were telephoned by a visa officer from the Australian HighCom in Colombo counselling them against taking up the appointments in Fiji, and warned that if they took up the appointments they would not be allowed to travel to Australia during their time in Fiji and they would not be allowed into Australia for medical treatment.

Snippets: Soldiers to Iraq, Rokomokoiti, Free Bus Fares, Water Pipes, Housing, Chinese Loans, Tourists, FSC Losses, EU Claim, Commonwealth Games, Melanesian Spearhead Group

UN in Iraq. Land Force Commander Col. Pita Driti  (photo) will lead an 86 member taskforce to Iraq this month. They will join over 200 Fijian soldiers already there. Col.Rt Tevita Uluilakeba Mara will become acting Land Force Commander.

The cases the Chief Registrar Ana Rokomokoti is prosecuting -- and about which CCF objects because of her roles as Registrar and prosecutor-- involve two lawyers and a law firm. Between them the lawyers face 21 charges of alleged professional misconduct, one from six years ago.

Free Bus Fares for Elderly and Disabled. The Land Transport Authority is proposing the elderly and disabled pay no bus fares between 9am to 2.30pm and half fares outside these times. A levy on fuel would meet the cost. The LTA is also proposing it should collect all outstanding court fines which now stand at over $28 million dollars.

More than 2,000 water pipe leaks were repaired along the Suva Nausori corridor between January and June. Most of the pipes are more than thirty years old.

(+) Fiji Must Have a Judiciary

 CORRECTION* 
New Zealander Anthony Gates, Fiji's Chief Justice, has criticized his own country and Australia for what he called interference in Fiji's judiciary. His comment came after NZ's initial denial of a visa to Family Court judge Anjala Wati. (NZ said her visa was not denied, only being decided upon).

Gates said “Fiji must have a judiciary. And it is not for Australia and New Zealand to tell us we cannot have one or to tell us who we are to appoint. No international convention allows such a supervisory role to a neighboring state.”

Meanwhile,  the Sri Lanka Government has seconded some of its serving judges and magistrates to help Fiji’s judiciary get back to its full capacity. Sri Lanka first offered judicial help to Fiji in 1987 following the Rabuka Coup. The CJ  said it was "an extremely generous offer of support at this critical time."  The judges and magistrates begin arriving tomorrow Monday.

* A reader has corrected me. (See Comments, below).  CJ Gates is not a New Zealander.  He was born in the UK, has Australian citizenship and has lived in Fiji for many years.