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

Wednesday 30 June 2010

All Good Men


LONG DISTANCE VISION. "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party" and "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy's dog's back" were two sentences used to teach touch typing.  Somehow the good men who make up the International Federation of Journalists got it all mixed up and jumped on to the wrong lazy dog's back.

Never slow to to criticise events in Fiji, the Federation's latest statement, on the Media Decree, does it and its anonymous informants no credit. The statement is flawed by the errors of fact, inference and exaggeration noted below. One might have hoped that Coupfourpointfive -- run by another group of journalists -- in publishing  the IFJ release, would have picked up its shortcomings before me.

The IFJ's statements follow, with my comments:

1. IFJ.The Decree "permanently installs the sweeping censorship." Me. This would only be true if there were no checks and balances within the Decree (which there are) and if those appointed to the Authority and Tribunal were totally lacking in professional integrity. Since only one person has been appointed so far, and no cases have been heard, it is difficult to comment.

2. IFJ.The decree is little changed from an April draft that met with international condemnation. Me. This is not true. There are major changes, including a larger and more representative Authority, rights of search, appeals to the Court, extent of fines, and cross-ownership.

3. IFJ.The Decree "erases the rights of journalists and the media to report in the public interest.” Me. This, of course, assumes that the media reports in the public interest, which is disputable, and certainly has not always been the case in Fiji. It's also rather  precious for any media group to claim an exclusive right to know what is in the public interest.

4.IFJ. “Fiji’s power-holders need to step back from this coercive and ultimately destructive law, and initiate moves to a cooperative independent regulatory system that is supported by local media and recognised by the international community.” Me. Been there, done that with the "old" Media Council comprising media representatives under Daryl Tarte's chairmanship. Tarte complained of lack of funds to be effective and others said the Council lacked teeth because it had no way of enforcing its decisions. This is why Fiji needs a media decree, that may or may not be supported by the media (I suspect many Fiji jojurnalists think the Decree is fair) , and whether it is or is not acceptable to foreigners. Its foremost responsibility is to the people of Fiji.

5.IFJ. The law provides for two government-appointed bodies. A Media Tribunal will comprise one member appointed by the President. A Media Industry Development Authority will have six members appointed by the Minister for Information. Me. The one Tribunal member is a judge. How many cases need more than one? Ministers in many countries make similar appointments to quasi-government authorities.

6.IFJ. Under the law, the regime and its authorities will decide what is fair, balanced and quality journalism. Me. Those appointed under the Decree will ensure -- and not the  "regime or its authorities"--  “that nothing is included in the content of any media service which is against public interest or order, or national interest, or which offends against good taste or decency and creates communal discord”. What is wrong with that?

7. IFJ. The IFJ fears for journalists and media organisations, which can be fined and jailed if the tribunal rules that news reports breach the regime’s media codes, including its Media Code of Ethics and Practice. Me. If they break the rules, they will be penalised. The codes seem reasonable and I doubt anyone would object to anything in the code of ethics.

8.IFJ. The tribunal may also order compensation of up to $100,000 Fiji dollars (about USD 50,600) be paid by media organisations to “any person aggrieved or adversely affected” by media reports. Me.  Right. Our courts can impose even stiffer penalties under our libel laws. Note that it is the organization and not its editors or journalists than can be charged under this provision.

9.IMF. "This action clearly targets the Fiji Times. Me. Right, and with cause.  Write "Fiji Times" in the Search facility on this blog to read  about Fiji Times transgressions over the past two years. If the IFJ think the Fiji Times has been an "independent critical voice," they are dreaming.  Before April 2009, the FT printed anti-government items at a ratio of four to one; since then it has printed almost NO government news!

10.IFJ. The right of appeal against tribunal decisions is only available where a penalty or compensation payment of $50,000 Fiji dollars (about USD 25,300) has been ordered. Me. Section79 (2) refers only to organizations, not to editors or journalists for whom no minimum is stipulated.

So there you have it.  Another well intended but uninformed and unbalanced denunciation from offshore experts, few if any of whom have ever been to Fiji.  There are concerns about how the Decree will be used (and I shall write about these as time goes on) but it is not the draconian document its critics would have their readers believe.

I opened with notes on touch typing.  A children's song seems an apt way to conclude:
If you go down to the woods today
You'd better not go alone.
It's lovely down in the woods today
But safer to stay at home.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Don't go down to the woods today, the journalists are  having a picnic.

Media Decree Outcry Continues

I will discuss the Media Decree more fully later in the week, comparing what many people wanted changed in the draft decree with its final form. Meanwhile, these comments on reports in the foreign media that in my opinion all suggest a prior prejudgment, with some containing errors of fact or interpretation:

REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS. "We note, for example, that the law insists that a news organisation’s executives must all be Fijian citizens and must have been resident in Fiji for at least three years. The aim of this is to prevent experienced foreign journalists from being put in charge of the Fiji Times or any other Fijian media."

This is an error in fact. The requirements noted refer to directors and ownership, not to editors or journalists. I am unsure of the status of a managing director or CEO, but there seems no reason why a Fiji citizen cannot fill this position. The quality of journalism would therefore not be affected.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL states "journalists can still be imprisoned for being critical of the Government”.
This is incorrect and an exaggeration. The decree makes no mention of government, only to content that is against national or public interest or order, that offends good taste, decency or creates communal (i.e.ethnic) discord. The Decree also calls for high standards, especially in quality, balance, fair judgment and range of subject matter. The decision of what constitutes a breach to the Decree lies with the Tribunal judge, and may be appealed in the Courts. Those found guilty can be fined or, in more serious cases, imprisoned. AI omits the checks and balances.

Patrick Holmes, CEO of Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand is aware of the provisions noted above: the "Authority set up under the decree is tasked with ensuring that local media do not publish material that threatens public interest or order; is against the national interest; or creates communal discord. It will have wide powers of investigation over journalists and media outlets, including powers of search and seizure of equipment."

Comment. Surely he is not suggesting the media should be allowed to publish material of this kind.As for the powers of search and seizure, they require a magistrate's warrant, and may be appealed in the Courts. In this respect, the Tribunal has powers over the media that our police have in other circumstances.

AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
Stephen Smith said Fiji's move to limit foreign ownership was bad for both investment and freedom of speech. The same article notes the Decree is based on the Singapore model which Smith does not attack.
Comment. It is unclear why the "Singapore model" is denigrated (the country is a model for Third World development); why foreign ownership is needed for freedom of speech, or why foreign investors would be deterred by media foreign ownership limits. If the Singapore model is so bad, why doesn't Australia impose travel bans on Singapore? What is good for the goose should be good for the gander.

NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER. John Key described the decree as "very heavy-handed" adding "when a country starts banning the media and telling organisations to sell their newspapers, it is "a step too far". In fact, no media is banned. Many countries put limits and restrictions on foreign ownership, including Australia and New Zealand. Some would argue NZ needs more.

GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY? One reader queried Sharon Smith-Johns comment that "The new Decree will have a positive impact on the economy, human rights, good governance and access to accurate information."
Comment. Fiji has played with media legislation since the early 1990s. Clearly stated legislation, if used properly (and this is the big question), will in the longer term do what Sharon says. More immediately, it  is the scaremongering of the foreign media, and not the Decree, that is bad for investment.

NZ DAILY CALLS CALLS ON FIJIANS TO "OUST DICTATOR."    With a headline that should persuade our leaders than NZ needs a media decree (Editorial: Fijians must take action to oust dictator) the NZ Herald hits out at Fiji on two  grounds: 1) It plans to join the"hotch-potch" of nations in the Non-Aligned Movement, "a gesture doubtless calculated to annoy Wellington and Canberra"; 2) The Media Decree that could close the Fiji Times and "effectively eliminates freedom of expression in Fiji ... In essence, Fijians will no longer know what their rulers are up to."

Editor Greg Bowker echoes NZ Media Freedom Committee Chairman Tim Pankhurst asking NZers to rethink their Fiji holiday, with some vague threat of a future government boycott on tourist travel to Fiji.

Comment. It is unclear how Fiji joining the NAM will annoy Wellington and Canberra. Over 30 Commonwealth countries are members. Or why Fiji should not be equally annoyed about Australian and NZ policies.  Nor is the connection clear between the Fiji Times and freedom of expression. Can only a foreign-owned press be relied upon to protect freedom?  The rethink and boycott suggestions of  Messrs Bowker and Pankhurt should not require comment!

Generally, the Editor needs to be reminded that the job of the media is to provide accurate and balanced information, which the editor has not done. He seems to know nothing of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Media Decree or Fiji, and has added nothing to what has been already been regurgitated by like-minded journalists.  It is not the job of the NZ press to advocate unrest in Fiji.

One must ask: Who pays these people? Who gives them the right to pontificate on matters about which they know so little? Why have we so elevated the Fourth Estate that some of their members think they can write on almost anything and everything sans knowledge, sans research, sans fairness? How can they demand free speech and a free media when they themselves abuse these freedoms?  The NZ media needs to get its house in order before criticising media practices in another sovereign nation.

Tuesday 29 June 2010

(G) Media Decree: Australian Comments Exaggerated


The reported comments of Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith on Fiji’s Media Industry Development Decree is grossly exaggerated and taken out of context, says the Permanent Secretary for Information, Ms Sharon Smith-Johns.

 The Decree was widely discussed and views of all concerned have been taken on board.

“ It’s most unfair that both News Limited and the Foreign Affairs Minister of Australia, have been selectively highlighting issues, and in the process sensationalizing them.”

The Media decree is huge step forward for the media industry of the country.

“ For the first time we have a legislation that is all encompassing (the media journalists and consumers), it’s actually empowering the people of Fiji in ensuring that their views are heard,” Ms Smith-Johns said.

The new Decree will have a positive impact on the economy, human rights, good governance and access to accurate information.

“In fact we have had encouraging response from the business communities and the Media outlets.”

Fiji has a vibrant and growing Media Industry, in print, broadcast and the new media with potential for investment.

“ Currently  there are 14 plus media outlets, not including internet. Whilst the Fiji Times claims to be a vital source of independent news, so are the other media outlets,” Ms Smith-Johns said.

The New Media Decree is similar to Media Legislations in Australia, the United States and Singapore where there is control on Foreign Owners, Cross Media Ownership, social obligations in terms of content, media codes and complaints authority.

“ This brings to mind the Rupert Murdoch case, where he had to forego his Australian Citizenship in order to retain his interest in the United States.”

Mr Hartigan's comments that the media decree is designed to force them out of the country is absolutely incorrect, the decree only talks about foreign ownership, and if the Fiji Times wants to continue they must change their ownership, we do not want to see the Fiji Times close, that is simply not the issue.

Ms Smith-Johns said Government needs the media as much as the media looks up to Government for information on a whole range of issues that directly impacts on the people and country of Fiji.  It is important that we move from here in good faith, mutual trust and with a common objective of providing information to the people so they can make informed decisions.

TUESDAY 29th JUNE, 2010 No:894/MOI) AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER’S COMMENTS EXAGGERATED

Comments are an important part of this blog.
From a reader .. "Sitting here in Oz this morning, with the Fiji Times saga the top story on ABC TV, you get the feeling this is easily the biggest mistake Frank has made. The media is full of talk of the seizing of a foreign business asset, the impact that will have on foreign investment and the loss of jobs in Fiji. News Limited is openly castigating the Australian Government for not doing enough to confront the regime. Which means that on the eve of a federal election in which it will be desperate for the support of Murdoch newspapers, News is waving its own big stick at the government. So it seems inevitable that Australian pressure on Fiji will be revved up ..." Click on "Comments" at the bottom of the previous post to read in full, with other comments.

Reactions to Media Decree, Not Disingenuity, Aust PM, Whaleoil Again


FOREIGN MEDIA REACTIONS TO MEDIA DECREE. Predictably these are almost totally hostile, not least from those who, from what they have written, have not even read the Decree. Their main concern has been with the limitation on foreign ownership which could result in the demise of The Fiji Times, owned by Rupert Murdoch's New Ltd.

They chose to ignore that Fiji is not alone in limiting foreign media ownership; the long history of the Fiji Times's misuse of media freedom; and none queried the obscenity of one man owning so much of the world's media and having such power to influence world opinions.  Media ownership is only important to media freedom when ownership is threatened, not when ownership threatens freedom.

Readers are probably correct. News Ltd will continue to mount a campaign against Fiji that will not result into a more conciliatory attitude by the Australian Government.One wonders whether the attack would be less frenzied had the Decree limited foreign ownership to, say, 40% instead of 10% that, in my opinion, should be more acceptable.  I doubt it.  

Congratulations to Leighton Smith for his interview with the A-G on Newstalk ZB. His listeners at least had the chance to hear the other side. I doubt other media will follow.

On April 12 I posted my assessment of the draft Media Decree, noting ten areas of concern.  I will publish a reassessment when I've had time to digest the changes to the draft and their implications. Like so many popular quotations, Thomas  Jefferson's on the media is an oversimplification but, in the context of foreign reactions to the Media Decree, it is not too far off the mark: "The man who never looks into a newspaper," he said, "is better informed than he who reads them, insomuch as he who knows nothing is nearer the truth than he whose mind is full of falsehoods and errors."

DISINGENUOUS MEANS SKILLED IN CONTRIVING. A reader writes that my comment "Readers who remember Qarase's call to Australia for military help in 2006 and the presence of two
Australian warships just outside Fiji's territorial waters will understand Fiji's reluctance to rely on Australia for protection" is unnecessarily disingenuous and places you [me] firmly in line with other media who spread disinformation through innuendo and distorted presentation of ‘facts’.

"Australia has always denied that they had any intention of involving themselves militarily in what was perceived to be a worrying, but domestic, problem. The country’s main concern was for its citizens and the warships (two, remember – not exactly an invasion force) was on standby IF citizens needed to be evacuated quickly. It was the measured and prudent response from a concerned government. Had Australia been even remotely serious about stepping in, there would have been a great deal more hardware on open display."

My comment concerned three issues: Qarase's call, the Australian warships, and Fiji's (Bainimarama's) reluctance to rely on Australia for protection. The reader is correct in saying that Australia never had any intention of invading Fiji.  PM Howard was quite clear on this point.

But there is no doubt Qarase asked Australia about a possible invasion, not once but three times, and his argument that his enquiries were not formal requests seems, yes, disingenuous.

As for the warships, coups seldom if ever threaten foreigners. It's possible they were there to evacuate Australians, though this would have been a lengthy job by helicopter (and NZ would have been remiss in not also sending a warship to evacuate its citizens). It would have been much better to put on extra Qantas flights to Nadi. But it is at least as possible the warships constituted a "presence," a veiled threat or warning to Bainimarama, and I would opt for this explanation.  The reader is possibly correct in saying "Bainimarama astutely elevated the perceived ‘threat’ as a diversionary measure" but if he did, he was no more disingenuous than Australia in sending them.

For readers wishing to check out things for themselves, these links: Just before the Coup
The Australian; Qarase's denial, Fijian Government. ABC News; Howard's refusal of Qarase's request BBC; and Victor Lal with details on the question: Did Qarase commit treason?  Fiji Buzz.

IN HIS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO AUSTRALIAN PM GILLARD
, Bainimarama stressed "the links between Fiji and Australia in particular in trade, investment, tourism, sports and  strong people-to-people links through the emigration of Fijians to Australia are pervasive, strong and cannot be ignored." He hoped she would re-look at the current policy of the Australian government towards Fiji with the objective of co-operation based on equality and understanding for the mutual benefit of the countries and their peoples.

WHALEOIL HAS TWO SWIPES AT NEW ZEALAND'S POLICY towards Fiji.  Read swipe one. Swipe two is a follow up Read swipe two. Thanks, White Fraqngipani, for these items.

Monday 28 June 2010

(G) Media Decree: Government Release

COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEDIA INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT DECREE 2010

(MONDAY 28th JUNE, 2010 No:889/AG) COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEDIA INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT DECREE 2010


The Media Industry Development Decree 2010 (“the Decree”) was gazetted by the Government on Friday, 25 June 2010. The commencement date for this Decree has also been issued by the Prime Minister and Minister for Information.

The Decree has commenced with effect from today, Monday, 28 June 2010.

As you are no doubt aware, the Decree was approved by Cabinet earlier this year, and Cabinet also approved for consultations to be held with relevant stakeholders throughout the country. Consultations were held with the media industry and the members of the public in April 2010.

Lawyers Cocktail, Economy Predictions, Corruption Suspected, Advice to Indigenous Business

DON'T MISS WEEKEND POSTINGS:  More rubbish from Tupuola on Fiji military, Women and Poverty, Bainimarama address to Arab League,  Parmesh Chand on Public Sector Reform, Allen Lockington's regular column,  Reserve Bank help to Small Business, Feleti Sevele talks sense, New Aussie PM.

Quote for the Week
Journalists say a thing they know isn't true in the hope that if they go on saying it long enough, it will be true.  Arnold Bennett.

KIDS FLY FREE.  Air Pacific is offering a free return seat for one child accompanied by one adult (two children with mum and dad) for sale up until August 15, and for travel between September 2010 and February 2011. Call your travel agent now. Note: This blog offers free advertising to companies that assist the Fiji economy.

NEW FORMATS FOR COMPANION BLOGS. Your opinions on the new format on this and the companion blog Na Sala Cava would be most welcome. Click Directions icon in right sidebar. I will be publishing a new Na Salan Cava question soon. Your ideas for questions also most welcome.

(o) LOOKING NORTH, LONGTIME. A thoughtful article by Australian Lowy Institute intern and New Zealand Freyberg Scholar pursuing a Master's in Strategic Studies at ANU.  Read in full.

(G) SOLICITOR GENERAL'S COCKTAIL. More than 130 lawyers, members of the judiciary and former High Court judges from across Fiji attended the SG Christopher Pryde's inaugural SG Bar & Bench 2010 Cocktail at the Fiji Club on Friday. The occasion provided an opportunity for Government lawyers to get to better know their colleagues in the profession, and to welcome the overseas judges and magistrates to Fiji.

In his welcome, Mr Pryde said: “We now have judges and magistrates from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and more recently, Sri Lanka. The profession would like to welcome and to commend the overseas judges for their courage in coming to Fiji to take up judicial office, especially knowing the difficulties they have faced with their decision. A strong competent legal profession and an independent judiciary is the way forward for Fiji."

Sunday 27 June 2010

PM's Address at Arab League-Pacific Island Summit in Abu Dhabi, 25.6.10

Your Highness Sheikh Abduallah bin Zayed  i-Nayhan,
The Secretary General of the Arab League,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

As salam wa leikum and bula vinaka as we say in Fiji.

As expressed  by the President of Palau I wish to reiterate my country’s appreciation and gratitude for the kindness, hospitality and warmth shown by the Government of the United Arab Emirates and in particular the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

I also wish to acknowledge the warmth shown by the members of the Arab league present here today. The World renowned reputation of Arabs looking after their guests, their hospitality, is most definitely most deserved and apt.

More Rubbish from Tupuola Terry Tavita


Military Numbers per 1000 Population: Selected Countries

PNG Singa
pore
New Zealand Aust
ralia
UK France FIJI Austria Tonga USA Malta Seych
elles
Nor
way
Finland
Active 0.5 1.5 2.3 2.5 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.1 4.3 4.8 5.2 5.4 5.7 6.0
Total* 0.5 99.8 2.8 3.4 7.0 12.0 11.2 12.8 4.3 10.9 5.2 83.0 57.2 97.4
* Total includes Reservists.    Source: Wikipedia.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Pacific Scoop, June 23, 2010) - The deteriorating situation in Fiji is of major concern to the region. Particularly Pacific Island countries with military and para-military services. We could imagine that several commanders in the vast military forces of Papua New Guinea – and to a lesser extent Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and even Tonga – are now eyeing developments in Fiji closely. No doubt it is giving leaders like Sir Michael Somare some sleepless nights. If it could happen in Fiji, why not other Pacific countries with armies of their own? Read more.

What's wrong with Samoa? Once it was Fiji's friendly neighbour but for many months now there have been only negative comments from Prime Minister Tuilaepa, Forum Sec.Gen. Tuiloma Slade, and  the Samoa Government's acting newspaper editor Tupuola Terry Tavita.  The paragraph above comprises the opening lines of Tupuola's article Deteriorating Situation in Fiji Alarms region published in Pacific Scoop, the Pacific Island Development Programme in Hawai'i and goodness knows where else.

The article is wildly speculative, harmful to  dialogue and improving relations with Fiji,  and factually incorrect. What is deteriorating? The Fiji situation has not substantially changed  since June last year, and is certainly no worse. Who is sounding alarms that have not already been sounded? And who exactly is the region? Australia and New Zealand perhaps, but Island nations other than Samoa seem quite unfazed.

The article is factually incorrect.  Check out PNG's "vast  military forces" in the table above. PNG tops the table for having the smallest military relative to population.  With a population a little larger than New Zealand, their military is under one-third the New Zealand size.

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu do not have a military, not one, and Tonga's 450 soldiers perform mainly ceremonial functions.  It would be unseemly to have a king without an army.

I'm not prone to conspiracy theories but one cannot dismiss the possibility that Samoa has a hidden agenda in its recent pronouncements.  Do they think they will finally persuade the  Forum and other regional agencies to shift their headquarters from Suva to Apia?  Are they wrestling with Fiji for regional leadership? Do they think that any loss for Fiji is a win for Samoa? Have they been asked to be, or do they see themselves as, the Pacific Islands mouthpiece for Australia and New Zealand, perhaps in the hope of more  aid?   Or did they all just get out on the wrong side of the bed?

Saturday 26 June 2010

FemLINKPACIFIC WPHS Report: Women Define Poverty

Labasa, Fiji Islands, 23 June 2010.
Some 21 local women’s club leaders from Bulileka, Cogeya in Bua, Dogoru, Naleba, Naodamu, Vunimoli, Vunicuicui and the Anglican Association of Women provided a multiracial perspective on definitions of Poverty which they believe the state needs to consider in the formulation of national budget systems in Labasa yesterday (22 June) as femLINKPACIFIC teamed up once again with our partners the Pacific Center for Peace Building to consult, document and broadcast local women’s perspectives linked to a peace and human security framework in the lead up to a community radio broadcast in Labasa on June 26. Photo: Sharon Bhagwan Rolls. Fiji Village.

The consultation also marked the start of our new research project “femPOV” in partnership with the Australian National University and the International Women’s Development Agency.

Parmesh Chand on Public Sector Reforms

The Public Sector Reforms: 
1. The Overall Plan

Edited extracts from my  Interview with Parmesh Chand, Permanent Secretary Public Service Commission. Vinaka, Tui, for this transcript. .
Parmesh Chand: The public sector reforms encompass finance reforms, labour reforms, public enterprise reforms and civil service reforms. The public sector as such is broader than the civil service. It covers quasi and statutory authorities and is much more than the civil service.

I was involved in the public sector reforms before when I was CEO Public Enterprise but now I’m involved in the Civil Service Reforms which focus on organizational reform, human resources, manpower development or talent development.

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.

Abandoned Children

The story of baby Jim Black, five-year old Joka and three-year old Box is heart wrenching. Who would want to abandon children? Let alone a six month old baby. The parents have to be insane or extremely traumatised. They may have been praying for a miracle to happen, and an angel to arrive to rescue them. But the angel Sera Nalavasa is struggling herself. The picture of the children and Sera carrying baby Jim Black tells a story. The kids must be wondering where their nau and ta have gone to. What has happened to them, what will happen to the kids? Oh the heart weeps for these children.What can we do about poverty in Fiji with people’s desire to have children. Sex education has to be seriously revisited.

To the parents of the children, I have never walked in your shoes so I can only empathise. I hope someone some place in Fiji will also be reading the story and lend a helping hand. Many of us will be giving what we can. What can the vanua do? What about the uncles and aunts and other relatives? Are they around? Unfortunately people in the village are struggling and an extra mouth is a burden that can be done without.

But let’s rescue the kids from this dilemma. Some parents have lost their children recently through accidents, negligence and fires. Would they consider adopting the abandoned children? The corporate companies also have the power to make a difference. If they could find a spare place for a labourer, one more impoverised dad would have a job and perhaps one less child would be abandoned.

 We have sent cash and kind to people affected by disasters in the Pacific, yet we have our share of disasters in abandoned kids and I know the same lending hand will reach out and spare a few dollars, clothes and food for the children.  Thank you Sera Nalavasa for being a good person. You are the kind of person Fiji can build their hopes on. You have nothing yet you reached out and helped a family in need. The story has been publicised. Help can come to the family.

And to the Social welfare, I hope the report is wrong in that you can only help Sera if she secures the children's birth certificates. Does a piece of paper mean so much that it hinges on the welfare of the children. But I don’t know how they work at the Welfare department so I leave it to them.

We should not go out looking for people when they are down and out. We should do something for them while they are still able.  What about statistics, is there any regarding extremely poor people. Where has this family been? Why have they been allowed to suffer so much? There are many questions, I hope someone knows about them.

With no disrespect, a soccer tournament is happening right here in Lautoka.  Thousands of dollars are being passed around. And in a cardboard box a family sat shivering in the cold and wet night, just a few days ago not knowing what the future may hold.

 Is this the disparity of the people of Fiji?  But to Sera, you’re a hero, God bless you.

 The story in the Fiji Times http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=147749
 Sequel
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=147955

What Reserve Bank Doing to Help Small Business


An extract from Reserve Bank Governor, Sada Reddy's, address to last week's Indigenous Business Council meeting.

Now let me briefly highlight some of the work that the Reserve Bank is doing in the areas of small and micro enterprise development. Most of the work in this regard ties in with your Council’s role in developing Fijian businesses.

In April 2009, we made some institutional reforms within the Reserve Bank which resulted in the establishment of a Group called the Financial Systems Development and Compliance (FSDC) Group. One of the major roles of this Group (amongst others) was to ensure the development and provision of microfinance services to the greater Fijian community. After a little more than a year of its establishment, we have witnessed a lot of exciting developments.

Friday 25 June 2010

Some Sanity at Last: Sevele to Meet Bainimarama

Radio Australia reports that Tongan Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele is meeting Bainimarama this weekend.  Tonga has tended to be the odd man out among  Polynesian nations in the Pacific Forum, by following a more independent position than those that always support New Zealand.

Sevele is also thought responsible for Bainimarama's supposed first "broken promise" when, at the Forum meeting in Tonga, he announced there would be elections in 2009.  The story goes that  the Tongan PM persuaded Bainimarama to come up with a date to placate Australia and New Zealand, saying it could always be changed later. This was the genesis of the "broken promise."

Extract from the Radio Australia report:

The Prime Minister of Tonga, Dr Fred Sevele, will hold meetings with Fij's military backed leader, Frank Bainimarama, this weekend.

Dr Sevele says he wants to ensure the interim government in Fiji is aware its neighbours still want to help, despite political differences. "It's not a question of, you know, I'm gonna be friendly with those, and not with those," he said."Tonga's foreign policy has always been be friends with all and enemy with none."

Dr Sevele also says Pacific Island states shouldn't have to choose sides as the diplomatic stand-off between Fiji, and Australia and New Zealand, continues. He says Pacific nations can maintain bilateral relations with both sides of the dispute.

"We live in a world that is global, that is in someways contracting as it were, and we have got to interact, we have go to communicate, we have got to be in touch," he said.

Dr Fred Sevele is the chairman of Pacific Islands' Forum Ministerial Contact Group and his talks with Commodore Frank Bainimarama, come after Australia and New Zealand, also members of the group, continued their criticism of Fiji.

The interview on which the report  was based.

New Aussie PM: Implications for Fiji; Blog Misinformation: Fiji NOT Left Commonwealth

See end for Weekend reading.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK. The deputy general secretary of Fiji's Methodist Church, Reverend Tevita Banivanua, said that in his own personal opinion the best place for the minister who predicted the disaster is a mental hospital. Radio Australia. Bainimarama said something similar before the doomsday date?

'THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING.'
The Australian Labor Government's mini-coup that saw 48-year old lawyer Julia Gillard (photo)  become Australia's first woman PM when she replaced 53-year old lawyer Kevin Rudd came out of the blue, but  it is unlikely to produce any more surprises, at least for the Pacific. This is the view of Myer Foundation/Lowy Institute think-tank researcher Lisa Roberts:

“With regard to Australia’s relationship with Pacific Island states, we believe it will be business as usual. Ms Gillard will take on the role of chair of the Pacific Island Forum. Rudd did little in his time as chair, so we hope that Gillard will use the last couple of months that Australia is chairing the Forum more proactively." But she was talking about the stalled Pacific Island guest worker scheme, not about doing some deep thinking about Australia's more deeply stalled policy on Fiji.

Murdoch-owned The Australian Asia-Pacific editor, Rowan Callick, agrees. He said the new PM does not have a great knowledge of Pacific issues (what's new!), but is a bright person who can pick things up as she needs to.

“It’s hard to see any change there. I mean we have got a huge amount of change there. We have got a huge amount tied up into AUSAID and a big commitment to RAMSI in Solomon Islands so there won’t be any change.The commitment will be there. But these things take time to build up political understanding and interest.” He made no mention of Fiji (it probably doesn't qualify receiving so little AUSAid money) and he was unsure whether she will chair the Forum meeting in August. 

He seems to be saying the new broom will do nothing on Fiji until she is properly "groomed."We can but hope that she is not. She's the first woman Australian PM. She is unmarried. And as far as we can tell is so far uninfluenced by prospective "grooms."

PACIFIC CONFRENCE OF CHURCHES WELCOMES GILLARD APPOINTMENT.The Gen.Sec.of the PCC  says Julia Gillard's appointment as Prime Minister of Australia is a great opportunity for the Australian Government to re-engage with the Pacific. He said a lot of damage was done by the previous government to Australia's relationships in the Pacific.

FIJI NOT LOSING QUEEN. BLOG LOSING ITS HEAD. 
Blog should check facts before publishing mischevious nonsense. 
"The Queen was in a furious passion, and went stamping about, and shouting 'Off with his head!'" --Alice in Wonderland.

The Anti-Government blog Fiji Today has a heading "Fiji Quits Commonwealth? First step towards our own Cuba" that speculates on the implications of Fiji joining the Non-Aligned Movement. It writes:  "This means that Fiji is no longer part of the Commonwealth ... The movement is an intergovernmental organisation of states who are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. Fiji cannot be a member of both groups. Fiji Today believes that the majority of Fijians are not ready to lose their Queen and this decision, without consultation, would not happen in a democratic society  ....(and) Fijian soldiers are no longer eligible for recruitment into the British army." What nonsense! My rough count shows NAM to have 32 Commonwealth members, including PNG, Vanuatu and now Fiji from the Pacific. See the member list.

LOYAL ROYALIST has left a new comment on your post "False Prophet, Non-Aligned Fiji, Pacific Hub for ...":  An interesting point has been raised by Fiji Today site. Fiji must quit the Commonwealth to be a member of the Non aligned nations.Fiji cannot belong to both as one of the blocks that are aligned is the Commonwealth block. If Fiji has left the Commonwealth then the citizens of Fiji need to be told. Reply: See above.

CHEQUE FROM CHINESE. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Civil Aviation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola received a cheque of US$50,000 from the Peoples Republic of China. The cheque was presented by H.E. Han Zhiqiang Ambassador of China.Ambassador Han Zhiqiang of the People’s Republic of China in a show of support to Fiji’s preparation to host the MSG-PLUS  Summit next month handed over the to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

WEEKEND READING: Allen Lockington column, FemLinkPacific on Women and Poverty, My interview with Parmesh Chand on Public Sector reforms (Part 1),  Reserve Bank assistance to Small Businesses.

Thursday 24 June 2010

False Prophet, Non-Aligned Fiji, Pacific Hub for Arabs, A-G Telecommunications Appointment


FALSE PROPHET.  Read The Fiji Times's Zero Plus One report. Correction to my earlier report.  Gavoka was arrested under the Public Order Decree, not PER.  This is what one reader wrote:
" We all agreed that the arrests were perfectly justified and justifiable. Allen Lockington, rightly in my view, describes the e-mails as an ‘act of terrorism’.  The whole prediction/prophecy charade was a cover for what is really intended.  Destabilisation and eventually……..terror?    This man Gavoka, whom I know, is educated and perfectly capable of bearing responsibility for his actions.  He knows what he is about.  His Church, Pastor and so-called Christian activities are all part of the ruse: terrify the people, use the Bible to effect, then bring down government.  To Hell with the ordinary, credulous people, the education of our children, the provision of services to the people at large and the sick and elderly."

FIJI NOW PART OF NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT. This was confirmed by the PM speaking from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The Movement, formed in 1961, has 118 member and 17 observer countries, or two-third of the United Nations members and 55% of the world population, mainly in developing countries. The Movement is concerned with issues of national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the security of non-aligned countries, and all forms of foreign aggression, occupation, domination, interference or hegemony.“Fiji is now part of the Non-Aligned Movement and is focused on its Look North policy which involves developing relationships with countries outside the southern Pacific sphere,” PM Bainimarama said, signaling .

FIJI POSSIBLE 'HUB' FOR ARAB PACIFIC TRADE AND INVESTMENT
. The inaugural Pacific Island-Arab League Summit “Prospects for Cooperation between the Arab world and the Pacific Islands” provided opportunities to discuss investment opportunities and Fiji's possible role  as a regional administrative, economic and geographical hub for Arab League activities in the Pacific. The meeting, which closes today, was attended by 13 Pacific Islands countries along and member countries of the Arab League.

A FIRST FOR FIJI AND THE PACIFIC. The Attorney-General and Minister for Communications has been appointed as a Vice Chairman for the Telecommunications Development Advisory Group (TDAG) in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The appointment confirmed at the World Trade Development Conference 2010 in Hyderabad, makes the Minister one of 12  people selected globally from six regions: Africa, Europe, Middle East, Americas, Russian Federation and the Asia-Pacific. Fiji and Korea will represent
he Asia-Pacific region in TDAG.

This appointment further cements Government’s intention of becoming a more active regional and international player in the global telecommunications sector.

BLOOD DONOR DAY ON SATURDAY; HAND WASHING DAY. The National Blood Service and the Ministry of Health is organising a celebration at Nausori on World Blood Donor Day this Saturday, June 26, to be opened by Dr Chen Ken, the WHO representative in the South Pacific. Participants will get the chance to hear two newly composed songs on health issues: Na Tiko Bulabula (Healthy Living) and Na Mate Rerevaki (A song about HIV/AIDS and STIs) that have been composed and produced by the Tegu ni Delai Kuitarua group from Koro Island.Later in the year, on October 15, the MOH and Colgate Palmolive will sponsor Fiji's participation in the second global "Hand Washing Day."

The idea is to get Fiji into the Guinness Book of Records by having the largest number of people washing hands at the same time at the same place. South Africa is the current champions with 1800 people recorded last year.

Wednesday 23 June 2010

'Whaleoil' on Travel Bans, Gavoka Jailed, Yabaki



NZ Blogger 'Whaleoil' on Travel Bans

Right-of-centre political satirist Whaleoil posted this on his blog after the McCully-Smith fiasco in Auckland:

Murray McCully was asked if there was any move to relax the travel ban placed on leading members of the regime, Mr McCully said: “We have nothing to reward.”

"On the other hand we certainly haven’t gone out of our way to try and help Fiji return to democracy. Instead New Zealand and Australia have placed impediments in the way of progress.

"Why won’t the NZ and Australian Foreign Ministers admit that the travel bans are not working? They have been in "place for nearly 5 years now and it hasn’t altered the Commodore’s stance one bit. Fiji simply doesn’t care anymore what the “rest” of the world thinks and is moving on to fresher, newer pastures – leaving NZ and Aus­tralia behind. All the travel ban has done is stop good, capable Fijian civilians from taking up government positions because a lot of them have family and friends in NZ and Australia and want to be able to travel freely – so the Military take on the government positions – someone has to do the job. The travel bans need to be relaxed. If it makes the NZ and Australia governments feel bet­ter then keep them on Frank Bainimarama and the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum – they are probably too busy to come to NZ or Australia in any case. Relax­ing the travel bans on civilians (and judges) will mean that instead of working behind the scenes, good and capable Fijian civilians can openly help the Fijian government without fear of reprisal and a travel ban being slapped on them.

"In the end, all that the NZ and Australia travel ban stance has done is just hinder and slow the Fiji Road Map progress towards democracy and a one-man-one vote democratic election."

While the NZ Government has been pandering to officials and representatives of one of the most non-democratic countries in the world another little country that isn’t democratic but is much closer to NZ than China will ever be sets about ignoring our foolish foreign policy stance and is making new friends. Read also about his coverage of the  Fiji- Arab League visit.


Aftershock: In the Wake of a Prophecy

People not living in Fiji must be scratching their heads in amazement that the prophetic warnings of an hallucinatory pastor would see the government warning public servants to turn up to work, schools warned to stay open, bereaved families not burying their dead, people preparing emergency shelters and moved to higher grounds, tourists cutting short their holidays, and police arresting the pastor and another man, Bill Govoka, for emailing tourist operators warning them of the impending prophesised disaster.  Photo: Bill Gavoka.

But in Fiji, where people have been nurtured from childhood on the apocalypse  stories from the Old Testament (Ezekiel, Revelations) and to a lesser extent, the New Testament (Luke), this is not so surprising.

That is why so many people believed the warning that at 2:30 pm yesterday Fiji would experience a major "natural" disaster, and why even the skeptical harboured doubts. The joke of the day was: Overheard: "I don't know why some pastors like to make predictions like this, I don't believe in these bloody things."  As he made his way to higher ground. 

The gullible are not persuaded by science. They are not impressed that on a typical day 28 earthquakes are recorded worldwide; that since the beginning of the month New Zealand has averaged an earthquake a day, or that Fiji and NZ are part of the Pacific "Rim of Fire" where earthquakes are a regular event. This is Fiji and it won't be the first or last time some little known pastor will make national headlines.

What makes this time different politically is that Bill Gavoka sent emails to tourist operators warning them of the event.  He said it was his duty.  Afterall, look what happened to tourists in the Asian tsunami. Hmmm! 

A just credible story were he not a supporter of the ousted SDL Government. Did his duty also lie with them? Tsunamis, even hallucinatory ones, are not good for tourism or the economy. So Bill is in gaol pending charges under the Public Emergency Regulations.

Another difference is that the arrest of someone who added to general panic, and clearly broke PER, has been protested by Citizens' Constitutional Forum CEO, the Rev. Akuila Yabaki, who claims "the act of circulating emails to people about a claim made by a religious group about an impending disaster shouldn’t be classified as a crime."

"Everyone," he says, "has a right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Everyone has a right to freedom of opinion and expression. And these things, things like numerous predictions, which have been made before by religious leaders all over the world about impending religious disasters in the world, should be taken with a sense of humour and just forget it. We don’t think it's a crime.”

I usually agree with Akuila on most things but on this I must differ. I see Gavoka's actions as an abuse of freedom and no joke. My most generous interpretation is that he's naive or "not quite with it", but it's far more likely he knew exactly what he was doing. And actions that may result in public disorder or harm the economy  are breaches of the Public Emergency Regulations.

Is the person who cries "Fire!" in a packed upper storey dance hall or a sports stadium not guilty of a crime? Or a person who phones the police about an non-existent bomb at an airport?

One reader wrote: "Thanks to Bill Gavoka tourists are checking out of resorts to leave the country. I know this for a fact because my cousin called me from the biggest tourist resort in the Mamanucas. This is a major blow to our struggling economy." I cannot verify this account. Perhaps the tourists were leaving anyway.  But if they weren't, What's funny about that?

Thakur Ranjit Singh  also has an article on the prophecy.

The Max, another reader writes: "Some of the people who belong to this Pastor's church were the very ones Bainimarama removed from the country's leadership. I'm told Gavoka is a member of this church and if you care to know, resigned from Fiji Visitors Bureau and in his own words "to join the SDL office and prepare for their election campaign" which was supposedly to be held last year. Other members were disgruntled SDL supporters. What I believe happened was that their hatred of Bainimarama consumed them so much that they had a "vision". The vision was the prophesy that a severe natural disaster was going to hit Fiji. "  Can anyone verify these comments?

Lutunacevamaca, Gavoka Warn Fiji: Zero Hour is 2:30 Today


Flashback. Blog posting March 30. Senior Pastor Laione Lutunacevamaca Dip Th., MABS, of the Kuriakos Christian Centre in Nadi claims to have been told by God that a disaster on a scale previously unknown will strike Fiji from all directions at 2:30pm on 23 June 2010, and he has warned people to prepare themselves. You may read his full pronouncement here.

The day has arrived. Governnment seismologist Sakaraia Vunisa says there's no need for people to panic. "This is somebody’s prediction, somebody’s prophecy or somebody’s dream or whatever. There is no need for people to panic about the so-called 23rd June prophecy."

But people are panicking, writes regular columnist Allen Lockington in an email received today. "The prophecy has rattled many people in Fiji. Tomorrow it is supposed to hit the east coast of Fiji. From what I hear even many religious denominations took it seriously."

And among those helping to spread the panic is Bill Gavoka, FRU Chairman, known supporter of the ousted SDL government and former head of the Fiji Visitors' Bureau, who -- I cannot believe this -- sent emails to tourist operators warning them of them of the pending disaster. "This is not a prophecy made by cult leaders," he wrote, "but by a mature and balanced pastor."

"The prophecy is commanding a lot of dialogue in the Christian community across the country and my background was tourism. I spent 30 years in the industry and I know that they're very vulnerable and I remember what happened in Thailand in 2004 with the Asian tsunami and I thought I would be doing my duty to alert them to this and prepare themselves for something real. According to the prophecy it will be around 2.30 in the afternoon."

NZ journalist Michael Field reports that Gavoka was "seized" by police and according to "State controlled and censored Fiji Broadcasting is being questioned over spreading the rumours of pending disaster." Note the careful choice of words. Everyone can make a little political capital out of the rantings of a religious fundamentalist.

"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances;And one man in his time plays many parts..." (Shakespeare).  My prophecy is that Pastor Lutunacevamaca will have prepared his "exit" long before 2:30 this afternoon. I'm unsure what the rumour-mongers will say as the afternoon progresses but Gavoka may have learnt to avoid politics and prophecies and stick to rugby where outcomes are sometimes more predictable.

Tuesday 22 June 2010

Arab League Friends, More Judges, NZ Law Society Refuse Fiji Ad., Momi Decree, Civil Service Reforms


(+) NEW FRIENDS IN MIDDLE EAST. Fiji Sun  editorial (abbreviated.) 
In case you hadn't noticed, the Government is not just strengthening and building relations throughout Asia, in Russia, and with such Non-Aligned Movement leaders as Cuba. Another growing partnership is being forged in the Middle East. The PM and Attorney-General are in the United Arab Emirates this week for a meeting between the League of Arab States and Pacific Islands nations. Their presence emphasises the importance the Government places on these ties.

The meeting is organised in cooperation between the Arab League and the United Arab Emirates to will discuss ways to boost trade, investment and ties between the Arab states and Pacific Islands nations.

The Government is also known to have followed up on an official visit by United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in February. This includes on the Pacific Islands Partnership Programme the United Arab Emirates is developing. It was no coincidence that Mr Sayed-Khaiyum stopped over in the United Arab Emirates just a few weeks ago.All this underscores again the failure of Canberra and Wellington's efforts to isolate us internationally.When will they accept the realities of Fiji today and that they cannot dictate Fiji's internal affairs?
[The Arab League has set aside US$100 million to assist the Pacific, which is fully financing the trip.]


(o) JUDGE RECRUITMENT TO EASE WORKLOAD. The Chief Justice Hon. Anthony Gates has signalled there will be more Court of Appeal and Supreme Court judges appointed this year to help ease  the pressure on High Court judges. Speaking at a National Judicial Workshop he asked judges and magistrates to recommend lawyers who theyconsidered had "the necessary attributes of honesty, integrity, competence,knowledge, discretion and judicial manner."

He also commended them for accepting their judicial appointments despite "the travel bans imposed on us by Australia and New Zealand."

For the remainder of the year his Office is concentrating on recruitment of judicial officers, the collection of overdue fines, and training, which will be extended to clerks, referees, justice of peace and commissioners of oaths.

NZ LAW SOCIETY REFUSE FIJI RECRUITMENT AD.
During my recent visit to Fiji the Chief Justice informed me the NZ Law Society had refused to accept a full page advertisement seeking to recruit NZ judges.  I shall write about my meeting with him and other judges soon.

(G) MOMI BAY DECREE. Government has promulgated this decree to ensure the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) does not incur any further losses through the Momi Bay Resort Project. The FNPF will now have control over the property which will allow development to continue, but the decree will not affect any proceedings institute in the courts by trade  creditors. FNPF has incurred a total $121 million towards the Momi Bay resort project. I shall have a  fuller posting on this later in the week.

(o) CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. World-wide, the civil service is often the butt of public disapproval. This week it was Fiji's turn, first by the PM, then by Parmesh Chand, Permanent Secretary for the Public Service Commission.

He  said 26,925 civil servants were too many for a small nation, and even with these numbers they did not live up to the people's expectations. He said the public sector was "characterised by lack of established service standards, ineffective work systems, ineffectual leadership, lack of transparency and accountability, along with low productivity." The reforms currently underway would produce a right-sized public sector through restructuring, modernizing human resource management and remunerations, rebuilding the capacity of the public services and introducing e-governance.  “At the moment, we are trying to address the issues, compulsory training of civil servants is continuing on all levels as well as the resizing of the sector,” he said.

I shall be running a fuller account of these reforms over the next few days, based on my meeting with the Permanent Secretary.

Scroll down to Melanesian Spearhead Group coverage.

Melanesian Spearhead Group Plus ... Minus, Divided and Multiplied

Opinion – Crosbie Walsh

Fiji will host and chair the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting on 22-23 July, and an invitation has been issued to other Pacific Island Forum nations to attend, making it MSG Plus.

Australian-based Prof. Brij Lal thinks Fiji is attempting to hijack the MSG in response to its suspension from the Pacific Forum, and he could well have a point, though hijack is too strong a word. Suspended from the Forum, excluded from PACER and PACER Plus negotiations almost certainly due to Australian and NZ persuasion, Fiji has merely struck back.

The Forum Melanesian nations were never totally happy with Australia and New Zealand's hard line on Fiji and on more than one occasion have sought a more conciliatory approach. Kiribati, Tuvalu and Tonga have also expressed doubts; and the north-western Micronesian states (Nauru, Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia) have said nothing. Only Samoa (for its own reasons) and Cook Islands and Niue (with close tries to NZ) have shown unquestioning support for the Australian and NZ position.

MSG Plus will give Island leaders the chance to talk with – and see what it happening in – Fiji without the overbearing presence of Australia and NZ. What the direct outcome will be is anyone's guess. Brij Lal thinks it will allow Fiji to promote its regional leadership, with Fiji seen to have stood up for itself in defence of its national sovereignty. Auckland-based political scientist Dr Sitiveni Ratuva thinks the "fragmented" Forum could see the MSG mobilise around Fiji, with a further shift in the region's geopolitical dynamics as Fiji, forsaken by its traditional antipodean friends, “Looks North” to Asia, most particularly China and India, for new friends.

Two other developments could also be weakening the "antipodean" position. The British High Commissioner's measured, conciliatory Queen's Birthday speech in Suva is one; and the other, heralded perhaps by American Samoa's earlier moves, are US actions, such as the easing of their travel ban and Fiji's upgrading following its stance on human trafficking, that suggest the Americans would welcome a more conciliatory approach. They appear to be becoming less reliant on Australia and New Zealand to act for them in the South Pacific.

For the moment is does seem the stand-off between the main protagonists in the fray could see a weakening of the Forum, and Australia and New Zealand's hold over Pacific Islands nations.

What does this mean for Fiji? A weakened Forum is in no one's best interests, despite its agenda being mainly driven by Australia and New Zealand, and the fact that it is already weakened by the exclusion of the Forum's most economically sophisticated Island nation, Fiji. Sooner or later Fiji will have to be readmitted to the Forum, PACER and PACER Plus negotiations, the Commonwealth, and access to EU and other international funding.

The sooner this occurs, the better. Fiji needs access to international loans, aid and grants, and much more local and foreign investment that will be easier to obtain when Australia and New Zealand moderate their stance. The question is when and how this will happen, and will MSG Plus be able to help.

My reading of the situation is that it won't be any time soon. Why? Because politicians and diplomats are no better equipped than any of us to deal with difficult situations. They allow their feelings, egos and “sacred cows” to blur their reason. And when there's two in tandem, they need to unyoke in order to re-engage with the third party. And that would be letting their mate down. What is best for Fiji, the Forum and Australia and New Zealand is not going to happen just because it makes sense.

So, the question over the next few weeks is whether the MSG Plus will be sufficiently supportive of Fiji to bring about a change in the Australian and New Zealand position. Once again, I doubt it. But it could have some influence, in combination with easing attitudes in the US, the UK and the EU.

Nations, like people, usually act in their own short-term interests. It takes a very confident person and nation to act on principle for very long. For this reason, the unwavering support of MSG Plus members cannot be taken for granted, even if they initially show some support for Fiji.

Australian trade and aid dominate most of them. Australia accounts for 42% of PNG's exports; 59% of its imports, and PNG received A$457 million worth of Australian aid (Total ODA) last year. The Solomons received A$226 million, Vanuatu A$66 million, and Kiribati, the only non-MSG member to so far signal its intention to come to Suva, A$23 million, a smaller amount to be sure but it represents about 20% of its GNP, and A$204 per head of population.

Such amounts are not to be sneezed at by poor countries. Fiji, by comparison, received $39 per capita and Australian ODA amounted to a bare 1% of GNP. Other figures are show below. All this is before NZAid money, particularly important in Niue, Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga, is thrown into the lolly scramble.

It will take a very principled stand by MSG Plus to counter these monetary interests. But they could do two things at no cost: they could tell the world what they see in Fiji, and so influence the Commonwealth, the UN, the US and EU, and they could urge Fiji to renew its invitation to all Forum members to visit Fiji to see for themselves. But whether this will make an difference, with McCully's and Smith's mind already made up, is anyone's guess. Fiji can only try.

While it is true that Fiji needs Australia and New Zealand (to ease the travel bans, help release EU and other aid money, and offer technical assistance to further the Roadmap and Elections in 2014), Australia and New Zealand should not forget that Fiji needs them far less than other Forum countries. Relative to most other Forum countries, its economy is large, diverse and fundamentally sound; it has a well developed private sector, a skilled urban labour force, and considerable potential for development in agriculture, forestry, ICT, mineral water, gold, fishing, manufacturing and tourism.

Pushed, Fiji can replace many of Australia's F$709 million and NZ's F$477 million worth of imports with imports from other countries. Asian imports already exceed New Zealand's (if Singapore's petroleum products are included) and are not far behind if they are excluded. In 2008 Chinese mainland imports totalled F$153 million, Hong Kong $72 million, Japan $82 million and India $123 million. It should also not be overlooked that Fiji's trade with Australia and NZ is very unbalance and not in Fiji's favour while Fiji's exports to the US ($179 million) and Japan ($64 million) are significant and the trade is much more balanced.

Australia and NZ have significant investments in Fiji, Australia's about A$40 billion. For the moment these are safe (except for the Murdoch-owned Fiji Times), but Chinese, Indian and other Asian countries have shown they are willing to lend to Fiji and their investments are increasing.

Fiji is also strengthening its position by establishing diplomatic relations with a number of other counties and with the Non-Aligned countries. Australia and New Zealand should no longer assume Fiji's unconditional support in international fora. And after the MSG Plus meets next month support from other Pacific nations may not be so readily forthcoming. Many already think Fiji is being bullied.

Dr Ratuva could well be right. The Forum could be fragmenting; the MSG may mobilise around Fiji on some issues, and the shift towards Asia in the region's geopolitical dynamics could well accelerate, leaving Australia and New Zealand where they need not have been had they allowed reality and reason and not emotion to guide their policies.

It will take a while before we get a clear picture of MSG Plus outcomes but we should get some inkling before the Forum meets in Port Vila in August. Those attending the meeting would do well to look carefully at the site of the new MSG Secretariat complex to be built by the Chinese.


Australian ODA per capita with ODA as a % of GNP shown in brackets (A$,2009). Niue $3,147 (44%), Nauru $1897 (44%), Tuvalu $719 (60%), Cook Is $421 (3%), Solomon Is $379 (34%), Vanuatu $304 (12%), Tonga $230 (11%), Kiribati $204 (20%), Samoa $181 (7%), FSM $97 (4%), PNG $76 (6%), Fiji $39 (1%).


Monday 21 June 2010

Some Legal Backlog, Brij Over Troubled Waters, NLTB WakeUp, Transport Charges


600 COMPLAINTS AGAINST 136 LAWYERS.
That's the number called by Chief Registrar Ana Rokomokoti who said 350 of the 600 complaints were unresolved cases inherited from the Fiji Law Society. She said out of the 398 lawyers with practising licences, 136 had one or two complaints against them. In some cases the complaints went as far back as the 1990s. Public expectation was high and the challenge to her Unit was to clear the backlog as soon as possible.

BRIJ OVER TROUBLED WATERS
has left a new comment on your post "Public Service Reforms, Monitoring Charter Progress...":

Talking of public service reforms. I got a real shock this morning to read that Dr Brij Lal is the new permanent secretary for education. Surely not. Could it really be that the Girmit prince of the ANU had done an about face and joined his enemies in the regime? I wondered why no-one was making a fuss about it until I learned that there's another Dr Brij Lal in Fiji. This one has been in charge of all the country's primary schools and gained a doctorate from the University of Ireland. Fwhew! But talk about confusing!

Another of the public service appointments is interesting - that of Elizabeth Powell as the new permanent head of public enterprises, tourism and communications. She comes from one of Fiji's oldest and most respected kailoma families and is seriously smart. Many will remember her as once the face of Air Pacific when she was chief stewardess in the 1970s. But she went on to pursue an academic and business career in the US and has high level degrees in tourism from the University of Hawaii plus an MBA and a lot of corporate experience.Ms Powell came back to Fiji 18 months ago after living in Las Vegas, of all places, for several years.

Another good appointment and a further sign that Frank is determined to get the best people he can on the public payroll, irrespective of race. There's no way people like Ms Powell or Peter Thomson at the UN would have been chosen by the miserable SDL, nor would they have wanted the jobs anyway. Vinaka.

NLTB DIRECTED TO SPEED UP DEVELOPMENT. Following his tour  of the Northern Division last week, the PM has met with Native Land Trust Board officials to express  his concern at the questionable state of the Board’s services in the North.  The NLTB has been directed to speed-up development in the country by:
  1. Reducing lease processing time to two months; 
  2. Giving special consideration (not having to pay an upfront premium) to landowners who wish to lease their own land.
  3. Revising methods of payment to ease financial burden to lessors, especially cane farmers; 
  4. Presenting a plan to its Minister on how and when it will reduce its 15% administrative fee.
The PM repeated his assurance that the Native Lands Commission will not be reviewed except where issues needing clarification on traditional land boundaries and chiefly title disputes.





(+) CHARGES MUST MATCH WHAT PEOPLE CAN PAY. In response to people in Vanua Levu complaining that their land transport costs were too high, the PM has directed the Land Transport Authority to re-examine, and if possible lower, their charges to what rural people can pay. These people, the PM said,“do not work in a bank or a city. They are farmers and this is what the authority should take into consideration,”

He added the directive was not only to the LTA but to all State chief executive officers that they should get out of their office and visit places to ensure that the right services were being delivered. "I will make sure this is done so that members of the public receive affordable services," he said.  People in the Northern Division found applications especially costly because they had to be authorised by people in Suva. He had directed the LTA to deploy an officer to the outer islands to make processing easier.

FTIB EXECUTIVES SENT ON LEAVE DURING AUDIT
. Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau CEO Annie Rogers and general manager Tupou Raturaga have been sent on leave during the State audit and will return to work on June 28th. This is a normal procedure which has no sinister implications as anti-government bloggers would have us believe.

ILLEGAL SPARKIES
. Consumer Council has welcomed Government’s decision to take away some of the regulatory powers of the Fiji Electricity Authority following complaints by the general public to the Consumer Council regarding unlicensed electrical operators around the country.

Saturday 19 June 2010

Weekend Reading -- Lessons from Thailand and Zimbabwe; Allen Lockington.

When All is Not Black and White: Lessons from Zimbabwe


I was at Auckland airport, just having returned from Fiji last week (of that more later), when I picked up a discarded copy of The Dominion Post* opened at "Mugabe's Uneasy Ally Pleads for Kiwi Cricket Tour." Intrigued -- and thinking there could be a lesson here for New Zealand and Fiji -- I read on.   Photo: David Coltart and Permanent Secretary Stephen Mahere.

David Coltart is the only White member of Zimbabwe's Cabinet, a member of a breakaway faction of Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party that shares power in a shakily-brokered truce with Mugabe's Zanu PF party; and he is the country's leading human rights lawyer. He's been threatened with imprisonment, survived an assassination attempt, and a number of his supporters and clients have "disappeared."

How is it possible, I wondered, that this man is in a cabinet headed by one of the world's worst human rights abusers? A man responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands, who ruthlessly crushed all opposition, whose policies impoverished his people and brought the country's economy to its knees?

"It's been very difficult for us in the human rights community," he said, "but in 2008 many of us came to the position that, unless we reached this agreement, Zimbabwe would be taken down to the level of Somalia or Liberia ... we were forced to choose between justice and the future."

"The agreement provided a non-violent evolutionary means of achieving a transition to democracy. Inevitably that meant that some of our goals of holding people to account for terrible crimes would not be achieved [but] by reaching this agreement, we would save lives, potentially hundreds of thousands of lives. And that was a price worth paying."

So far he thinks his decision was the right one. "There are still huge problems.  There is still rampant corruption ... ongoing human rights abuses ... but there are positive signs ... fewer reports of torture ... disappearances ... a big reduction in the number of political prosecutions."

"There have also been improvements ...Government-controlled TV and radio stations have opened up slightly ... an independent daily newspaper began publishing last week ... inflation has been brought under control ... the cholera epidemic has ended, health clinics have reopened ... hospitals stabilised ... and 7,000 schools have reopened."

"There is no guarantee the transitional arrangements will result in a new constitution or free and fair elections, but progress is being made."

Zimbabwe is cricket-mad. Coltart wants New Zealand to send a team because he thinks sport is a way of uniting and stabilising a country;  a way to rebuild national as opposed to partisan pride.  Most importantly, he thinks a tour would strengthen the hand of the moderates within Mugabe's Zanu PF and MDC parties.

His message to the New Zealand Government and people? "If you don't support the moderates within Zanu PF and the MDC, you play into the hand of the hardliners who were prepared to destroy Zimbabwe in 2008 and are still prepared to take it back to that."

I'm sure I don't need to spell out the relevance of David Coltart's experience and advice to people of goodwill in New Zealand and Fiji.

Thank you, Dompost columnist Nick Venter, for this article. You have given us a better insight into Zimbabwe than Dompost readers have ever had on Fiji. Dominion Post 15 June 2010.

For information on New Zealand's diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe, click on this MFAT link.