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

Friday 30 September 2011

Meetings Monday Wellington; Tuesday Auckland

WELLINGTON READERS.
Public seminar on Re-thinking and Re-framing Civil-Military Relations in Fiji by Raijeli Drodrolagi Nicole.Monday, 3rd October, 6pm – 7.30pm, Victoria University of Wellington, 6 Kelburn Parade

Raijeli has extensive experience in policy development, lobbying and advocacy. She was Executive Director of ISIS International, a women's human rights info-com organisation based in Manilla, and has worked with NGOs, unions, employer groups and governments at the United Nations.She has Masters degree in International Law and Politics from the
University of Canterbury and currently works for the Department of Internal Affairs in Christchurch.

The seminar will be introduced by Dr Teresia Teaiwa (Pacific Studies) and Dr Megan Mackenzie (Political Science and International Relations) will make the formal response.   Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, please contact: Sylvyetta Hanipale Phone 463-5830 or email Sylvyetta.hanipale@vuw.ac.nz

AUCKLAND READERS.
 Shamima Ali will talk about The Current Political Environment in Fiji.Tuesday 4 October, 7:30 pm.
Ellerslie Entertainment Centre, 519 Ellerslie-Panmure Highway, Panmure, Auckland. Free Entry. Bar Open. All Welcome.
Shamima is the Director of the Fiji Womens Crisis Centre, Chairperson of the Fiji NGO Coalition, and a prominent government opponent.

Weekend Reading

• Allen  Lockington Column 
• Why on Earth Did Government Need the Essential Industries Decree? by Crosbie Walsh  
• Fiji Wages Today by Fr Kevin Barr 

I've never come across this before but it tells me something about the mindset of some readers.  I've received five comments on these items EVEN BEFORE they're published.  All negative.  Minds already made up.   

I'll  publish readers' comments AFTER they're read the articles (not just the headings!) but not before. To publish these comments now would defeat a major purpose of  this blog which is to encourage people to THINK about issues with minds as open as possible BEFORE they publically express their opinions on what has been written.
SUVA-NASINU READERS. 
PUBLIC SEMINAR ON ESSENTIAL NATIONAL INDUSTRIES (EMPLOYMENT) DECREE.
TODAY.  Friday, 30th September, 2011   3pm.  Venue . Fiji National University.  LT01 – Valelevu Lecture Theatre, Nasinu Campus. All  welcome. Please invite a friend and come along to this seminar.

Thursday 29 September 2011

Tevita Mara Re-Writes History: It's all Khaiyum's Fault

A Fiji Democracy Now blog cartoon
By Crosbie Walsh

One day, ten or more years hence, someone will attempt to write a accurate history of Fiji during the first two decades of the 21st century, and blogs will be one source of their information. It would be a formidable task in any event but with the vast number of sources available in the electronic age, and with every Tomasi, Rajieli and Hari expressing opinions with no evidence, or citing anonymous information relayed from so many 'usually reliable sources', it will be near impossible to know what weight to give to give to each source.

What will make it even more difficult is that some histories are already being written, and re-written with deliberately distorted material posing as facts.


Such is the case of Ratu Tevita Mara's latest media release (also in RawFijiNews) where he has taken almost all major events since the 2006 Coup and attributed them not to who he calls the 'murderer Bainimarama' but to the 'illegal Attorney-General Aiyaz Khaiyum' who he claims is 'the real Head of the illegal and repressive junta [adding that] the sooner the murderer Bainimarama and the army leaders see it, the better it will be for them and for Fiji as a whole.'

So, if only Bainimarama and the army leaders had the wit to see what Ratu Tevita sees, Fiji's troubles would be over.

News and Comments Thursday 29 September 2011


29.9.2011

 A COMMUNITY LAW CENTRE within the Legal Aid office was officially opened by the PM recently. The centre will assist in providing civil legal aid services on referral from Legal Aid and also double up as an important practical learning centre for 23 student advisers from USP's Law School who will provide opinions under the supervision of the Centre manager. A second second centre in planned for Nausori. -- No:1700/MOI.

Monday 26 September 2011

Should there be a Better Ethnic Balance in the Army?

By Crosbie Walsh

Several readers have expressed their opinions on the overwhelming dominance of itaukei in the armed forces, and some have said that if Bainimarama really wanted to get rid of institutional racism, he’d be actively recruiting Indo-Fijians and the "Other" ethnicities for the army.  For the moment, I have no comment on this question but I’d like to share an earlier experience on the question: “Should there be a better ethnic balance in the army?”

News and Comments Monday 26 September 2011

26.9.11 WEEKEND READING.  Scroll down to check it out.
FRANK, PLEASE LISTEN. In a recent comment, a reader sympathetic to the Fiji Government and critical of the the extremism of the anti-government blogs, went on to say:

"On the  other hand Bainimarama ploughs a furrow that gets deeper and deeper until in time it may well bury him and his colleagues. Why on earth are they so obsessed with draconian PER stuff and act like control freaks of the worst kind.

"There you (this blog) are in the middle trying to persuade them to lighten up and present a rational and fair picture of Fiji to those of us who care. I believe Bainimarama is doing good things for the people but they are overshadowed by less sane policy decisions."

This view is echoed by many readers, all knowledgeable and friends of Fiji, and most overwhelmingly supportive of what Bainimarama is trying to achieve.

READ ACT'S DON BRASH's INTERPRETATION of events in Fiji and why NZ policy on Fiji is wrong. This is the speech he gave in Auckland on Friday.

THREE NEW LANGUAGES FOR INVESTMENT FIJI WEBSITE. The site now has translations in Mandarin, Korean and Japanese in a bid to attract more investments.

THUMBS UP FOR FRIEND. FRIEND'S Fiji-Style food products are going global with the recent attainment of True Pacific label and launch of locally produced products at the True Pacific Trade Show in Auckland.Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development director Sashi Kiran said attaining the True Pacific licence was a huge boost for FRIEND's Tuvu-based factory and for Fiji.She also said the response from consumers and potential distributors was more than promising. FRIEND is a hands-on NGO based in the West that mainly assists rural women to lift household incomes.

THE FIJI SUGAR CORPORATION is considering whether to close its narrow-guage railway. I wonder whether, in addition to sugar, consideration has been given to its use for tourist trips over selected sections of the network. 

MAHOGANY. Michael Field reports in Scoop "A Fijian bid to provide the wood for the world's best guitars is in doubt after military strongman Voreqe Bainimarama was forced to cancel a press conference in Nashville with the makers of Gibson guitars.Fiji has the world's biggest commercial mahogany plantations and control of its lucrative revenues was long believed to be the reason behind the coup in 2000." But Fiji Broadcasting suggest the deal is going ahead. As for mahogany being one of the reasons behind the 2006 Coup: well, we all know of corrupt influences in the mahogany industry (Speight being one of them) but a "cause" of the Coup, that's a new one.

ANOTHER CORKSCREW COMMENT IN COUP4.5. "u shud have shot kaiyum when u had a pistol ului!!!" (Ului is Ratu Tevita Mara who fled to Tonga some months back.)

ILTB, THE I'TAUKEI Land Trust Board (formerly the NLTB) has been collecting around $40 million a year over the past three years, most of which has been distributed to owners through monthly payments. The Board has asked Government to help collect rental arrears, and is talking to owners  about reserving some lease land for their own needs.

Saturday 24 September 2011

PM'S ADDRESS TO THE 66th SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMPLY

Ed. Note.  This is a wide-ranging report on Fiji's foreign and domestic affairs, and a useful summary of events over the past 12 or so months and future intentions.  I have underlined key passages to assist  skimming and reflection. -- Croz

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On


Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen 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.
        Decent People

School has started.  Our roads are busy once again, and taxis, vans and buses once again make a little more money. Even the illegal van driver will make a little money to take hone to his children.  More cars will be on the road and the fuel retailers will also make a little more. Potholes will be a force to reckon with and will widen into trenches if we don’t repair them to international standards. People who sold savories outside schools will dust their little tables and set up shop outside school gates and make some money. The shoe, book and uniform shops will make a little money and life goes on. It’s the circle of life.


Now, it’s exam term.  Let’s support our children through thick and thin. We all know that times and life are  a little bit tougher, but if we dwell on that, we will always have a long look on our face and soon lose our smiles. We can see the bright side of things and thank god we are alive.   Tighten that belt a little and support the children so that they will become good law abiding citizens, have a decent education and live an honest life and take Fiji to greater heights so that we can withstand any kind of financial depression, cyclone or flood.

Let’s get more of our kids to study agricultural science so that they become rich and prosperous farmers who will have dirty fingernails and smell like livestock but with lots of money in their pockets, huge smiles on their faces and many people in their employ.

Let’s tell them that a good education can assist them in becoming decent people to make Fiji self sufficient in vegetables and root crops so that we bring down the prices and don’t have to import. And let's encourage cane farmers' children a to go back to the cane land so that we don’t run out of sugar and have to import at a higher price.

Let’s encourage some of our children to become engineers so that they fix our roads once and for all so that they will last like the roads the Romans made.

Most of all,  let’s nurture them to know what is good and bad and know the difference between accepting a gift and what is corruption.

The Tongans are Coming – Are They Really?

By RC
 
That the rulers of Tonga have had an interest in some form of dominion over Fiji will come as no surprise to students of Fiji – Tongan relations. Derrick , in his History of Fiji , notes relations existing between the two island dates as far back as the 13th century. Importantly in the 16th or 17th century the Tui Lakeba, a Lauan high chief, married the daughter of the thirteenth Tui Tonga thereby establishing a lineage known as the Fale Fisi (House of Fiji). (Derrick p120).

PM's UN Address on Racism and Racial Discrimination

Photo: FijiVillage
Address at the high Level Meeting of the General Assembly to Commemorate the 10th Anniverssary of the Durban Delcaration and Programme of Action.  United Nations, New York, Thursday 22 September 2011

That address will be webcasted live through the United Nations website at http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/.



Mr. President,

On this occasion of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, my delegation wishes to take this opportunity treaffirm its unwavering commitment towards the achievement of the objectives
of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and the Durban Declaration.

Friday 23 September 2011

Auckland Readers : Urgent Notice

Large Crowd expected for BULA FESTIVAL this weekend. 

Celebrate Fijian culture in Auckland by visiting this free festival which will include Fijian Entertainment, Delicious Food, Fijian Art and Craft and more.
Everybody who has travelled to Fiji in any capacity would know what "BULA" means – it is the traditional and warm Fijian greeting.

This weekend’s Bula Festival 2011 will celebrate the Fijian cultures in Auckland and is an important part of the planned activities at the Auckland Fiji Village for the World Cup Rugby.

Ellerslie is the adopted town of the Fijian rugby team and BULA FESTIVAL 2011 will be the highlight of the planned celebrations.

The venue is ONE TREE HILL COLLEGE, 451 Great South Road,Penrose and takes place this weekend on Saturday 24th of September (Time: 10am - 8pm).

Organisers expect a large crowd to attend with free entry, free parking, over 40 food and craft stalls, Fijian entertainment, an arts and handicraft display and numerous amusement rides.

The event will have various food stalls including traditional Fijian Food, Fijian Indian and Fijian Chinese dishes available. 

"This is the only large Fiji themed / Pacific Style outdoor festival being organised during RWC celebrations and we expect a fun filled family day that will showcase Fijian culture to Auckland and the world," says the event’s organiser (and sponsor) Radio Tarana.

"The entertainment planned is very special including a one hour performance at 2pm by the FIJI POLICE BAND.

This 40 member troupe has travelled all the way from Fiji courtesy of Fiji Tourism and they should not be missed.

This performance will be the highlight of Bula Festival 2011 and will add colour to the other entertainment planned on the FIJI Stage.

Other entertainment includes performances of the Fijian Warrior Dance, Fijian Meke, Fijian Indian dances and various other cultural items.

"We are also delighted with the Fijian art and handicraft display at Bula Festival 2011.

Vuku Limited in conjunction with the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs are hosting some of the top Fijian arts and handicraft artists at the event.

30 artists have travelled from Fiji  to display their unique Fijian arts and craft. We anticipate great interest in the diverse work of these talented Fijian artists," added the organisers. 

Everybody is welcome and encouraged to celebrate Fiji in Auckland this Saturday from 10am onwards at One Tree Hill College. BULA!! 


For Further information, contact Linda Christian on (021) 2491386 or email  linda@tarana.co.nz  or visit www.tarana.co.nz

Weekend Reading

  • PM's Address to 66th Session of the UN General Assembly
  • Allen Lockington Column
  • The Tongans are Coming - Are they Really?
  • The PM's Address to the UN on Racism

Qantas urged to take a stand over controversial Fiji employment decree

Source: Radio NZInternational

Fiji’s Trades Union Congress leader says the Australian airline Qantas has moral and social obligations to Fiji workers at Air Pacific.

Documents leaked to a blog site reveal the head of Air Pacific commissioned a New York legal firm to draft the Essential Industries Decree at the cost of 24,000 US dollars.
The decree to limit union influence in labour relations was adopted by the interim government two weeks ago but is seen as violating international conventions.
Felix Anthony says as Qantas has a 46 percent share in Air Pacific it needs to answer to its apparent collusion with the Fiji regime.
“Qantas we believe has not only a moral but a social responsibility to workers in Fiji by virtue of being a major sharholder in Air Pacific. And I believe they need to also answer to the people of Fiji why they are condoning such actions and behaviour.”
Mr Anthony says the government has failed the people of Fiji by condoning this behaviour and he’s calling for the head of Air Pacific to be dismissed.
Qantas says it wants no involvement in the matter, adding that Air Pacific runs a separate operation.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

Wednesday 21 September 2011

News and Comments 22 September 2011

STOP PRESS. AUCKLAND READERS. Meeting Friday. Don Brash on NZ-Fiji Relations. 
See  last item in this posting.
22 September

How Valid was the 2006 Election? 

It little matters now whether the 2006 election was flawed, manipulated or completely above board but it is important that Fiji learn from what happened, and what might have happened.

An EU report found that while there were a number of shortcomings and irregularities, the election was conducted well. This view was supported by other observers, but a Commission in 2007 brought together by Fiji Human Rights Commission found this not to be so.  But the FHRC had come out in support of the Bainimarama Coup so its motives, if not its findings, could be considered to be in doubt.

The Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says there remain causes for concern, notwithstanding the EU findings.

“It (the EU report) also highlights clearly and categorically that the law in fact in certain areas was not adhered to by the office of the Supervisor for Elections in respect of counting, in terms of registration, in terms of how there was a voter turnout in one of the constituencies in Cakaudrove of 101 per cent.”

Other deficiencies also occurred with the ballot papers, he high number (74,855, or 9%) of invalid votes and confusion over the alternative vote system. Government hopes to reduce such anomalies by the electronic registration of voters and voter education.


For more information Wikipedia has a useful account of the elections , its procedures and the concerns of the the 2007 Commission of Enquiry.

Dr Peter Nielsen, a member of the Commission, makes these comments.

A fuller and more comprehensive account  is provided by Prof Graham Hassall (then of USP) and Jeanette Bolenga. Their view is that while there were a number of important shortcomings, there is no evidence of deliberate manipulation of the results.

The jury is still out.

ZINCK CORRECTION. Kenneth Zinck apparently already had a multi-entry visa to Australia which he had used several times. My inference that he may have been visa queue jumping is therefore incorrect. But his story of being chasing along Victoria Parade and the subterfuge needed to depart Fiji is still difficult to swallow. He could well have decided it was time to jump ship and establish himself in Australia. Only time will tell.

TAKE YOU PICK: A READER ON ALTERNATIVES. "Just a comment on the recent (Lowy/Tebbutt) survey. I believe it was as accurate as any of these surveys are likely to be. There is one factor that tends to be overlooked, it is one that I believe provides a lot of the support that Bainimarama enjoys. Many people do not approve of the way the current administration operates or even how it got there but support it as the alternative would probably be a return to the corrupt and racially-biased previous government."

" New Zealand- Fiji Relationship : Going Forward"

Address by Dr Don Brash, Leader of the ACT Party of New Zealand

Date & Time : 6:30pm onwards, Friday 23 September 2011

Venue : Chandni Chowk Function Centre, 23 Eric Baker Place, corner Great South & Kolmar Streets, Hunter's Corner, Papatoetoe, Auckland

Dr Don Brash, Leader of the ACT Party, will speak on the current state of the official relationship between New Zealand and Fiji; and expound his views on the need for a change, i.e. for more forward-looking and constructive engagement by New Zealand with Fiji.

Note : This is not an official ACT Party event nor is it a fund-raiser for the ACT Party. This special event has been organised by Friends of Fiji and Fiji people who are concerned about the current impasse in the relationship between New Zealand and Fiji. 

Seats are limited.

Media welcome.

For more information please contact :
Surendra Sharma .  Friends of Fiji . surendrapsharma@yahoo.com
Susan Arcus . ACT Party . Phone +(649) 4728085 / 021-1833906 . susan.arcus@act.org.nz

Tuesday 20 September 2011

Deep Concerns About New Employment Decree

ESSENTIAL NATIONAL INDUSTRIES (EMPLOYMENT) DECREE 2011.


I have now read the decree and compared it with the 2007 Employment Relations Promulgation, that it supercedes for the 11 "essential" industries.

My preliminary opinion is that the ENIED is
  • Unnecessary if, indeed, its purpose is to protect essential industries
  • Its major concerns are already addressed by the 2007 promulgation
  • It  effectively removes most of the protection offered to workers by the earlier legislation
  • and it is very definitely seeks to undermine the influence of trade unions.

The Decree defines essential industries (Part 1,2 (a)) as those "vital to ... the success of the Fiji national economy or gross national product (GDP) or those in which the Fiji Government has a majority or essential interest."

The 11 chosen are a surprise. All are "tertiary" industries. For the time being the Decree does not directly affect primary or secondary industries, such as sugar, mining, fishing or forestry,  that one might have thought more closely related to increasing GDP. I cannot accept the Attorney-General's blithe assurance that "We've identified various sectors that we believe are critical to economic growth in Fiji," There must be far more to it than that. Quite frankly, the Decree puzzles and disturbs me.

I am sending a draft of what I think at the moment to contacts in Fiji and will await their responses before making a substantial comment.  Meanwhile, I will publish items in the media on the decree and welcome readers' comments.

Comment by ILO published on FLP website.
Comment by ANZ head.

Monday 19 September 2011

News and Comments 19 September 2011

Monday 19 September 

PEOPLE'S CHARTER STARTING POINT FOR CONSTITUTION REVIEW, says a spokesman for the PM's office. A Committee, presumably similar to the national committee that produced the draft of the People's Charter, will produce a draft.  This will be followed by wide consultations that will finally produce a "people's" Constitution.


Zinck 'Flees' Fiji 

Kenneth Zinck's flight to the land of Oz last week was quite a surprise.  Hailed by anti-Fiji government people as another high level defection, a view supported by what Zinck told ABC, the move has Fiji's Ministry of Information perplexed. They say Zinck was not even on their radar,  though he could have been for while when he was director of the infamous Fiji Rugby Union lottery.

Zinck stood unsuccessfully for Labour (FLP) in the 1999 election but won an Open (General Voter) Suva seat for the NLUP (a splinter Labour party led by Tupeni Baba) in the post Speight-coup election of 2001. He subsequent defied a party instruction not to join up with Qarase's SDL party; was expelled from the party although still nominally a FLUP MP, and was a Qarase government Cabinet Minister from 2001-2006. During his time in  parliament he pressed for greater representation and for the SDL ethnic Fijian affirmative action programme to be extend to the smaller ethnic groups. He lost the 2006 election and became a trade unionist.  The day after the 2006 Coup he was detained and allegedly ill-treated by the army for bad-mouthing Baimarama in Suva's Union Club.  Since then he has been a relatively low key player.

His account of being followed by a police car along Suva's Victoria Parade and his evasion of pursuit is credible but if the police were really following him, it defies explanation that, unpursued, he managed to go home to collect his passport; used a disguise to collect an air ticket in his name; travel to Nadi, and then, unchecked, board a plane for Australia.

Zinck is a personable fellow with a reputation of being able to tell a good story.  If the Aussie authorities accept his appeal for asylum, the chances are the joke will be on them. His reason for the  flight is more likely to be personal than political. He may merely have wanted to jump the visa queue. 

PACER PLUS. The offer by the Forum (read Australia and NZ) to allow Fiji to engage in Pacer Plus discussions should not be read as a more moderate approach towards Fiji.  The change in position is due only to the fact that PACER without Fiji would work as well as a bicycle wheel without its central axle. No wonder Fiji, fast strengthening its links outside the Pacific, said it was in no hurry to rejoin the Forum.

POLICE NOT MILITARISED
  says Police Commissioner. In another story, the force recorded 598 complaints since January.

COOK ISLAND MP URGES RE-CONSIDERATION OF FIJI IN FORUM.The Cook Islands Deputy Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen says the Cook Island government should use its position as host of next year’s Pacific Islands Forum, ans not be dictated to by Australia and New Zealand, to bring up the controversial issues of Fiji and French Polynesia. He says the Cook Islands could benefit from stronger ties with Melanesia and he says stronger ties with Fiji are in the interest of many nations in the region.A later statement from the Government side likened Bainimarama to the Hitlers of this world so I don't think Rasmussen is likely to change the Cook Island position.

CANADIAN INVESTORS, some of them former residents, are impressed with Fiji's development.

THE JET NEWSPAPER.
This monthly Nadi/Lautoka-based 40-page community paper is now  available on line and back issues since January through this link.

FOR THE RESERVE BANK'S AUGUST REVIEW,click here. 

FRAENKEL REVIEWS 2010 FIJI EVENTS. For the past few years Dr Jon Fraenkel has provided a useful summary and interpretation of Pacific and Fiji events in Contemporary Pacific. The 2010 review (Vol.23 (2): 446-476) is the latest. The review is recommended to readers with access to the journal.  The events are factual; the interpretations are consistent with his views on the Bainimarama government.

Saturday 17 September 2011

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen 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.

Go Healthy Restaurant

In Fiji almost all fast food shops sell fried foods that have lots of fats and salt to make the food tasty, which we have been told is not good for us.

Would government give a 3 or 5 year tax free concession to restaurants that sell only healthy foods? It’s just a suggestion to lure restaurant owners to go healthy.  I am sure there are lots of people like me who will only eat there and support the go healthy signal that is being sent to us by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Doctor Tukana, head of the Non communicable Diseases section of the MOH.

We can also market these eateries to tourists and visitors to our shores. Our tourism banner will tell the tourist about fun in the sun and eat a healthy meal in Fiji at our Go Healthy restaurants located all over Fiji. Even hotels can be offered this. Business houses, when having business lunches or dinners can also use these places to eat out and support good health. Many business people are so busy that they stress themselves out with meetings and making huge business decisions that is making Fiji grow economically and they forget to eat healthy. They will also order a fast food snack because it’s fast to cook and tasty, and in reality, very unhealthy. Lots of pot bellies in business houses.

To get restaurant owners to go healthy we give them incentives like the tax free holiday. We have been giving hotels and manufacturers tax free holidays, why not offer this also to approved restaurants and the impact will be seen in our people having somewhere to eat healthy foods. And how they will maintain their standards, people who eat there will fill out question and answer forms that will be submitted to the Ministry of Health as feed back.

Public Sector Reforms in Fiji: NPM and Opportunities for Abuse

By Subhash Appana


At the basis of the New Public Management (NPM) model for public sector reforms lie two fundamental prescriptions: removal of government controls and reliance on the efficiency of the market in resource allocation and utilization. This centralizes reliance on and the need for rational self-interest in the conduct of all stakeholders in an economy. This paper analyzes critically how public sector reforms in Fiji opened up opportunities that were hijacked on the bases of self-focused greed presented as a political blueprint for affirmative action needed to assist in the progress of the ethnic Fijian community.

Islands in the Scrum by JF

The Pacific Islands ForumIslands in the scrum
Sep 13th 2011, 10:34 by J.F. | CANBERRA

THE Pacific Islands Forum gathering in Auckland on September 6th-8th was most notable not so much for what it did, but for what it did not do. Fiji's suspension was not lifted, lacklustre Forum Secretary General Neroni Slade was not replaced, and delegates did not agree to back the placing of French Polynesia on the United Nations' list of non-decolonised territories. All three decisions reflect the dominance of Australia and New Zealand over the regional summit, which also brings together the leaders of fourteen Pacific Island states. Indeed, the event would have been a complete damp squib were it not for the accompanying razzmatazz of the rugby world cup, which also got going in New Zealand. On concluding their fruitless deliberations, the majority of Pacific Island leaders merrily dispersed to catch a game or two.

The South Pacific Forum, as it was initially called, first met in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1971. It quickly distinguished itself by its opposition to French nuclear testing in Polynesia. In the 1980s, as Kanak pro-independence militants clashed with French authorities in New Caledonia, the Forum backed the re-inscription of that territory on the UN's influential listing of "non de-colonised territories". Then, the island states had several influential regional leaders, including Papua New Guinea's Sir Michael Somare and Fiji's Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara who famously coined the expression "the Pacific Way" to describe his region's preferred consensual style of decision-making.

Thirty years later, much has changed. Across the Pacific Islands, the post-colonial honeymoon is long over. The first generation of independence leaders has been replaced by politicians of lesser standing, more accustomed to haggling over the spoils of office than offering any coherent regional vision. Ratu Mara died in 2004, but lived long enough to watch his country experience debilitating coups in 1987, and again in 2000. Oddly, some of his descendants initially backed a third coup in December 2006, though most have since fallen out with Fiji's latest coup leader, Frank Bainimarama. When Mr Bainimarama, who doubles as military commander, reneged on a promise to hold elections in 2009, Fiji was suspended from the forum. Since then, Mr Bainimarama has abrogated the constitution, dismantled the municipal councils, censored the press and clamped down on his opponents, including most recently the Methodist Church and the trades unions.

Other island leaders have, like Ratu Mara, seen their legacy besmirched by the antics of their children. Sir Michael Somare, easily PNG's longest-serving prime minister, underwent three heart operations in Singapore earlier this year. His son, Arthur Somare-a business-oriented politician eager to retain his lucrative ministerial links with companies responsible for a huge liquid natural gas project in the southern Highlands-at first declared his father unfit to resume office, hoping thereby to inherit the top job himself. Then in August, most MPs deserted the ailing Sir Michael and instead backed the former finance minister, Peter O'Neill, as the new prime minister. Somare Junior cried foul, and brought his incapacitated father back from Singapore to contest the takeover. Despite Sir Michael making a fleeting appearance on the floor of parliament in a wheelchair on September 6th, the Speaker ruled his seat vacant, hoping thereby to sway the courts to endorse Mr O'Neill's new government. An MP with no seat cannot also claim to be Prime Minister.

The position of Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific has also changed significantly since the 1970s. In the early years of that decade, radical prime ministers in both countries increased aid to the Pacific, and at times joined the newly independent states in challenging their former colonial masters. When French secret services sunk the Greenpeace vessel the
Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour in 1985, New Zealand barred nuclear-armed ships from entering its territorial waters and pressed for a nuclear-free zone across the Pacific. In response, the United States suspended its treaty obligations to New Zealand. Those controversies are now long gone, partly due to the ending of French nuclear testing.

Nowadays, the Australasian nations are the status quo powers in the region, and New Zealand is again closely allied with America. Unlike the poorly attended annual summit in Vanuatu last year, this year's gathering was graced not only by the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers, but also UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and a large delegation from the United States, as well as leaders from nearly all the Pacific states. The forum may be in trouble: its headquarters are located in Suva, the capital of Mr Bainimarama's troubled Fiji; its secretary general has performed poorly but is not easily replaceable; and its regional trade talks have stalled, again because of the troubles in Fiji. None of these difficulties is easily soluble, at least while Mr Bainimarama remains in charge. Little wonder that island leaders retreated from the curve balls of regional politics to the colourful contests between Pacific rugby squads.


THE NATION HAS SEVERAL STORIES ON THE FORUM.
http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/articles/caf%C3%A9-pacific-how-pacific-islands-forum-shunned-west-papuan-issue#comment-611 Click here, and also visit http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/category/pacific-islands-forum/ this link to see the far better coverage of the events by student journalists than those found in mainstream media.

NGOs Applaud Work to Empower Women

Photo: Fiji Times
Government’s commitment to empower women in Fiji through the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has seen a national consultation held in February this year between government agencies, Non-Government Organization (NGO’s), Faith Based Organization (FBO’s) with collaborative approach taken to implement recommendations outlined in UN CEDAW Concluding Remarks.

Friday 16 September 2011

Weekend Reading

WEEKEND READING. • Lockington column • Islands in the Scrum •  Public Service Reform by Subhash Appanna •  NGOs Applaud Work on Empowering Women

Thursday 15 September 2011

News and Comments 15.9.11

Well, at least someone's happy
Thursday 15.9.11
USP FIJI ECONOMY PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS.  A series starting tomorrow (Friday).   Click on the link for the programme..

EMPLOYMENT DECREE UNDER FIRE. Check out ABC story. Click   here .. 

HAS ANOTHER POLL ALSO GOT IT WRONG? The on-line news site FijiLive runs regular polls on sporting and other events. To vote, you click yes or no on the website, or you can text your vote.  Here are results of the political polls since April. Such polls are indicative more than scientific but their results are very similar to the Lowy poll results.

April 1.  Do you think Australia and NZ should lift their current sanctions against Fiji? Yes 78% 

May 7. Do you think the government's poverty eradication policies are working?  Yes  36%. 

June 11. Do you think Australia and NZ are meddling in Fiji affairs? Yes 77% 

August 4. Should religious leaders remain in their positions if they are found breaking the law? No 88%

September 3. Should Fiji be allowed back in the Pacific Forum?  Yes 75%

A WAIRAPARA COUPLE with strong Fiji connections, and regular visitors to Fiji, support what Bainimarama is doing. This story is one of several from people recently returned from Fiji. 

SO POPULAR, WHY NOT LIFT PER? CCF's Rev. Akuila Yabaki says if the interim regime is so confident of Fiji people’s support, it should lift the Public Emergency Regulations."The opportunity to take concrete steps towards democratic elections is now staring the Commodore in the face ... They were going to lift the PER anyway but the fact that they have not lifted it - is it based on what, based on a sense of fear of what might happen?” Rev.Yabaki says civic education needs to start urgently as there are potentially 200,000 young people who’ll be eligible to vote.

TOURIST DEATHS UNREPORTED. AAP's reporter Tamara McLean  claims four tourist deaths  in recent weeks have not been reported in the Fiji media, or reported only after they were reported in the international media.  These links (Fiji Times, Radio Fiji, Fiji Sun)  show this is not so. Attempts like this to undermine tourist confidence in Fiji speak volumes for the impartiality of some foreign reporters. 

OVERSEAS ANTI GROUPS IN DISARRAY. An attempt to coordinate "pro-democracy" groups appears to have created more confusion than unity. I wonder who the mysterious Andy is who claims to speak for the Methodist Church and the chiefs, or is this just another bogus claim. 

WHAT HAVE THE ROMANS EVER DONE FOR US. A reader writes, "I Imagine this is how the pro-democracy meetings would end up... late at night, huddled together, bitching about the government." Listen to the video.  You may recognize the chairman.   It's a good laugh. 

'SKINNY LITTLE INDIANS.' OH NO, WE ARE NOT RACISTS. Two more comments from the anti- blogs' favourite vulagi, Mark Manning, published so readers can better understand  how some prominent opponents think and what they really want:

"Jenny (Hayward Jones of the Lowy Institute), as sweet as she is, seems blinded to the realities in Fiji. As I often say of Academics, highly intelligent, not very bright ! They can read a book cover to cover and memorise every page, yet don't know how to tie their shoelace !"

And  ..."I'll bet my bottom dollar Jake is one of those useless skinny little indians from india !
A useless little man of no worth and little brain, struggling to get noticed but too petrified of his own shadow to divulge his true identity."

 .

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Temm Again Told Come See for Yourself

(Wednesday 14th September 2011, No:1769/AG) GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO NZ LAW SOCIETY'S INACCURATE STATEMENTS

“The comments made by the President of the New Zealand Law Society, Jonathan Temm, are obtuse, lack any substance, and it is clear that he is seriously misinformed on events in Fiji.”
               
This was the response from Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum referring to statements made by the President of the New Zealand Law Society in an article in the Fairfax media earlier today.

“Temm and members of the New Zealand Law Society have been repeatedly invited to Fiji in order to meet members of the legal profession, including the Fijian Chief Justice in order to decide for themselves the true situation with regard to the rule of law in Fiji and the introduction of modern and just laws. Instead, Temm prefers to rely on hearsay and exaggerated opinions, not to mention untruthful reporting by sections of the New Zealand media.”

“Freedom of religion continues to be respected in Fiji. At no time has anybody been prevented from attending or entering or praying, including in churches.”

“Temm suggests that the four foreigners including 2 New Zealanders that died recently were victims of lawlessness claiming that they died in unexplained circumstances. This is a lie. Temm needs to verify his facts simply by checking with the Police. The hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit Fiji on a daily basis will be able to tell Temm that Fiji is a safe, attractive and peaceful holiday destination for everybody, including New Zealanders. The increased growth in tourism numbers in particular from Australia and New Zealand is a testimony to this.”

“If Temm had bothered to investigate some of these outrageous claims for himself instead of relying on untruths from sections of the New Zealand media or politically motivated individuals from Fiji, he would know, inter alia, that the Fiji Law Society has not closed, there was no arson attack on its premises, no professors were removed by the Fijian Government, and all people, including New Zealanders, have equal access to the law in Fiji.”

“If Temm or members of the New Zealand Law Society are truly interested in knowing the facts about Fiji, I suggest they take up the Solicitor-General’s invitation and visit Fiji for themselves.”

Tuesday 13 September 2011

More Evidence that Poll Accurate: Thank you Victor



My thanks to Coup4.5 for republishing this artice. Frankly, I'm surprised they published it because it adds further evidence to the view that the Lowy/Tebbutt poll and its report, that Victor Lal refers to as the "paper," is a reasonably acceptable statment on what a cross-section of urban  Fijians think about the political situation.

 

Email claims Lowy Institute’s policy paper was designed to unmask Frank Bainimarama as Fiji’s dictator

By VICTOR LAL

An e-mail allegedly written by Jenny Hayward-Jones, Program Director of the Myer Foundation Melanesia Program at the Lowy Institute, suggests a recent paper on Fiji was a strategy designed to expose Frank Bainimarama as the dictator he is to an international community that has lost the conviction held by Australia.

Hayward-Jones, responding to a Fiji democracy campaigner, allegedly writes as follows: “The Fiji regime would reject the multilateral package of assistance for elections I have proposed but this will give Australia the clear evidence it needs to show Bainimarama will never restore democracy in Fiji and solidify crumbling international opinion against him. 

"Sanctio[n]s don't have a happy history of convincing bad regimes to resign. They have even less chance of working when they are not universal. I abhor what the Fiji regime is doing. 

"I'm also appalled by the damage they have been able to inflict on Australia's regional leadership and I wrote this paper because I think Australian policy can be more effective in helping restore democracy to Fiji over a few years.  What is clear from the evidence is that current policy is not helping to restore democracy and may perversely be serving to entrench Bainimarama. But you don't need to worry about what I say.  
"The foreign ministers of both countries have made it clear there will be no shift on either side, making it certain that there will be no improvements in Fiji and there will be be further undermining of Australia's interests. Kind regards Jenny Hayward-Jones.”

Hayward-Jones was allegedly responding to the Lowry Institute’s paper “Fiji at Home and in the World”. The democracy campaigner had enquired from her: “I'm surprised that you think that John Howard and Kevin Rudd and now Julia Gillard, are all wrong in their approach to Fiji and have to ask why you have taken this stand! It's a ludicrous concept to suggest that anyone can reason with an alleged murderer and a man who has committed High Treason, let alone somebody who continues to have his own Citizens and fellow countrymen, tortured, detained and falsely accused of crimes to suit his own purposes. You of all people should be encouraging the Australian Government to do more to bring Frank Bainimarama to Justice and not be undermining the efforts our Governments have made.”

Prior to joining the Lowy Institute Hayward-Jones was an officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for 13 years, serving in the Australian missions in Port Vila and in Ankara (Turkey), where she was Deputy Head of Mission from 2004 to 2007. She worked as Policy Advisor to the Special Coordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands from its inception in July 2003 and in 2004 and was a member of the election monitoring delegation in Solomon Islands in 2001.

Jenny Hayward-Jones could not be reached for comment.


Read her article Don't Ignore the Voice of Fiji's People by clicking on the following link, where she admits she was 'personally dismayed' to see so much support for Bainimarama in what appears to be an explanation, if not justification, for why the Lowy Institute published the controversial poll. Remember, the results of the Tebutt Research have been challenged by several quarters, including this blog, since its release last week at the Pacific Islands Forum.

http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2011/09/12/Dont-ignore-the-voice-of-the-Fijian-people.aspx 
posted by Pacific in the Media

Monday 12 September 2011

Ignoring, Dismissing, Excusing and Making the Best of a Poll

CENSORSHIP IN FIJI. In an item headed Censorship in Fiji,  ABC's Pacific correspondent Sean Dorney says: "If you lived in Fiji and your only source of information was a single local national newspaper, the Fiji Sun, you would soon believe that Commodore Frank Bainimarama was about the most popular person in the world, an anti-corruption crusader universally revered for his wisdom and for his firm but enlightened rule."

The item mentions trade union concerns, Methodist meetings, the FICAC targeting anti-Bainimarama people; the Engaging the Pacific meeting in Nadi two weeks ago and the Pacific Forum meeting all, of course, in negative terms. But there was not a single mention of the independent Lowy Poll that showed the Bainimarama government in more favourable light. A heading, Censorship in Fiji — and Australia may have been more apt.The poll results have received little mention in the international media.

OTHER REASONS TO DISMISS THE POLL. The anti- blogs tell us that a poll in Libya last month showed Gaddafi with 85% popularity, and in 1937 another poll showed Hitler to be equally popular?

Check out the anti- blogs for other examples of why the Fiji poll on the popularity of the Bainimarama government  must be wrong. And while you're there, check out Ratu Tevita's new take that Bainimarama was behind the 2000 Speight Coup because it was his ambition even then  to become President of Fiji. This really is stretching credibility too far.

WHO ARE WADAN'S UNDER-EDUCATED? Dr Narsey said, "It is ludicrous that the Lowy Institute should use the dubious responses of 1032 ordinary relatively under-educated citizens of Fiji, to place pressure on the Australian Government to change its foreign policy stance on Fiji. Or to pressure the Forum countries to do the same."

Democracies do not weight votes by a person's educational qualifications but, for the record, this is the education status of those polled: no formal education 2%, primary school 11%, middle high (10-11 years) 13%, upper high (12-13 years) 32%, technical or trade school 21%, some university 14%, university degree 7%.   Wadan, over one-half had 12 or more years schooling, and 21% some university education.

LOWY DIRECTOR ON THE POLL. Interviewer: "How do you think this survey should be interpreted by the leaders attending the Pacific Islands Forum in Auckland?" Jenny Hayward Jones: "It's the first time that the Fiji people have had a proper voice since the abrogation of the constitution in Fiji in 2009. I think Forum leaders need to take some notice of it. I think they need to acknowledge that this is the voice of the Fiji people being expressed for the first time and some of the findings may not particularly suit the cause of the Forum but others might." To see or listen to the whole interview, .click here.

LOWY DIRECTOR'S POST-POLL REFLECTIONS. Those disappointed with the results should apparently  take some comfort from some of the results but it never occurred to me that the ordinary people of  Fiji did not want a democracy. The questions in my mind have always been about the type of democracy advocated by by the so-called pro-democracy lobby, and whether 2014 will produce a more genuine democracy than existed up to  2006.


But enough of the Poll ...

THIS
REVEALING COMMENT FROM MARK MANNING ON COUP4.5. Mark's opinions are well reported by the anti- blogs, but I'm surprised they published this one. Of course they are not racists! "Indians in Fiji are such a mixed up race of people. Perhaps it stems from their class system or their deities and fake Gods."

JOHN KEY ON 2014. My PM seems to have  accepted the 2014 election time frame, which is good, but he has other requirements, some of which I doubt will be met.

McCULLY ON THE NATION.  Interview on a range of topics.  A clear expression of NZ's position. Click here.

Saturday 10 September 2011

A Rebuttal of Dr Wadan Narsey's Arguments on the Validity of the Lowy Poll

Dr Wadan Narsey
By Crosbie Walsh


As predicted, those who were disappointed with the results of the Lowy Institute/Tebbutt poll — which found two-thirds of those sampled supportive of the Bainimarama government — have found fault with polls or the poll methodology as a means of accurately determining people's opinions.

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen 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. 

Check List
Just like a boat that carries passengers and  an aircraft that is checked each time it lands, road public service vehicles should also have rules and requirements to follow. 
.
If we would use safety checks similar to those used with boats and aircraft for all vehicles, and especially buses, we would bring down the possibility of buses burning or going out of control because of failed breaks or some other mechanical issue. Aircraft engineers have checklists for their aircraft.  Can we introduce this for buses with lists  submitted to the Land Transport Authority every month. All defects found  would be listed and a note made on how they were fixed. If  buses  are checked regularly like this we would avoid accidents like the bus that burst into flames last week.

We would be one step ahead and be more likely to know if a bus or other vehicle was about to have a problem. 

Full Report of the Lowy Institute on Fiji

This is a  link to the full report, replete with graphics. A quick download from the  Institute's website.

FICTU Press Release on the Lowy Institute Poll

This is a link to the release signed by Attar Singh.  Click here.

The Forum Communique

This is what was stated on Fiji and here is a  link to the full communique 

FIJI

30. Leaders acknowledged the Forum’s ongoing work to encourage and support Fiji’s return to parliamentary democracy in accordance with the Leaders’ mandates and the Biketawa Declaration, cognisant of the Leaders’ decisions at Port Moresby and Cairns in 2009, and Port Vila in 2010.

Thursday 8 September 2011

Pacific.scoop.co.nz � West Papua ignored, Fiji poll condemned as Forum leaders emerge

Pacific.scoop.co.nz � West Papua ignored, Fiji poll condemned as Forum leaders emerge
Insistence on "democracy" in Fiji but not for West Papua.
Tuilaepa and Gillard dismiss polls results.

Their logic is on a par with that of a reader who wrote: "Unlocking the Fiji Situation":

Not interested Croz. Like the Lowy Institute, you have lost your credibility and your mojo.

Unlocking the Fiji Situation

Keith Locke
Auckland University radio host Jon Armistead conducted two interviews "in the interests of balance" on Fiji and the Pacific today, one with Keith Locke, the other with Croz Walsh. Listen to what they both said.

#44 FIJI’S POPULAR DICTATOR

#44 FIJI’S POPULAR DICTATOR
Graham Davis's take on the Lowy Institute poll, with new information on its sponsor, a corporate Fiji-born Australian, and its supervision, by "respected Australian pollster, Sol Lebovic, the retired chairman of Newspoll."

The People Have Spoken: Poll Methodology Sound

Jenny Hayward-Jones
Wow!! This has really put the cat among the pigeons. I had to pinch myself when I read the news. And my guess is that whatever they say publicly, John Key and Julia Gillard will still be pinching themselves.

An independent poll has shown two-thirds of Fiji adults think Bainimarama is doing a “good job” as Prime Minister and that Fiji is heading in the “right direction.” And that from both major races. These were the opinions of 75% of Indo-Fijians polled and 60% of ethnic Fijians. In December 2008 only 48% thought so highly of Bainimarama and the ethnic divide (Indo-Fijians 64%; ethnic Fijians 35%) was quite wide. Nearly three years on, he has nearly doubled his support among ethnic Fijians.

Further, while most Fijians have warm feelings towards Australia and NZ, over eighty percent think they should lift sanctions and leave Fiji to sort out its own problems. Over 76% disagree with Fiji's suspension from the Commonwealth and 79% with its suspension from the Pacific Forum. So here we are with our PM and his Aussie cousin (whose polls shows her to have less than one-half of Bainimarama's support!) working towards a “democratic” outcome that the people of Fiji say they do not want.

Tuesday 6 September 2011

Pre-Forum Words by Crosbie Walsh

It's has already started but before the 40th Pacific Forum meeting closes on Thursday there's sure to be more.  The media has Pacific Islands leaders apparently saying one thing while meaning another, quite unlike their host New Zealand that has never changed its tune. I find the inferences a little patronising.

Monday 5 September 2011

PACER-Plus in trouble as trade advisor resigns

Islands Business - Forum: PACER-Plus in trouble as trade advisor resigns

The difficulties of working without Fiji  are all too apparent.

Fiji Casts Shadow on Pacific Forum Meeting: Callick

See The Australian's  Rowan Callick's take on the Pacific Forum, and his focus on the Australian interests involved.  Link.

Testing the Strength of the Fiji Government Opposition

"Hundreds" protest ... including a "handful" of expat Fijians

Sailea Lealea at Wellington Protest
Rallies were held in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Wellington over the weekend, bringing together trade unionists, Amnesty International, church leaders and overseas itaukei to protest recent  Fiji government's alleged abuses of human rights, in particular actions against trade unions and the Methodist Church.

"Prevent people praying"?
 In Canberra, United Church mininster Rev.Gregor Henderson spoke of the denial of human freedoms.  "There are problems in Fiji but the way to solve those difficulties is not to repress civil rights, not to lock people up, not to prevent people from having meetings, not to prevent people praying, for God's sake!"

Sunday 4 September 2011

Special MSG Leaders' Summit Communique Release

Saturday, 3 September 2011, 3:53 pm

 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1109/S00050/special-leaders-summit-communique.htm

"Calls for Fiji to be Restored to Pacific Forum" — by Michael Field

Stuff.co.nz

Nine of the Pacific's 16 nations have called for Fiji to have its membership of the Pacific Forum restored.

Bainimarama Sums Up Engaging with the Pacific Meeting

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has billed the 2nd Engaging with the Pacific meeting a success. He said they had managed to cover a lot of ground and there were many common challenges that required them to consolidate their energies and efforts to resolving them as regional grouping. The two-day meeting at Nadi’s Tanoa International Hotel ended yesterday.

Our folly over Fiji — by Whaleoil

Our folly over Fiji —

I have repeatedly blogged about the country of my birth, Fiji, and how New Zealand through utter hypocrisy has treated them. Along with Australia our successive governments have decided to wag our collective fingers at Fiji and tell them how.

Saturday 3 September 2011

Issues of the Past Haunt Us: PM

Bainimarama face closeFiji needs leaders who are committed to genuine consultation, inclusiveness and accountability and have a progressive vision in moving the country forward, the Prime Minister Commodore told Macuata chiefs and provincial leaders  yesterday, repeating his long-time message that that Fiji's root problem was dirty politicians and racism.

The PM urged provincial leaders to take the lead role in developing the  leadership model spelt out in Pillar 3 of the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress which emphasised  honesty, integrity, professional ethics and service to communities.

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen 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.

Kerosene Quotes
I was looking for the world price of kerosene on the Internet and happened to come across the Times of India. It has quotations from all over the world where excerpts from newspapers are quoted.  Here are some.

 Since the beginning of June 2011 the international prices for both crude oil and refined petroleum products have been unstable with both upward and downward swings. Any decreases in the procurement costs realised during the month of August will be passed on to the consumer in the next price review. SOURCE: AllAfrica.com 2011-08-16

Even if oil prices stop rising at the world market, we still have a problem of foreign exchange because of the weak shilling. SOURCE: International Business Times 2011-08

If world prices fall, import taxes will be brought back at a reasonable level (on gasoline and mazut oil) and retail prices will be cut. SOURCE: Thanh Nien News 2011-08-15

Considering that exams will be held soon, it's important for the school to get fuel so that students are able to do their revision under proper lights. As such, I urge all the old scholars of the school and the people of Gau who are living in Suva to help in purchasing fuel for the school's generator. SOURCE: Fiji Times 2011-08-12 23:37:00

About 200 students attend the school and it's very hard for those boarding because they are using kerosene lamps to study at night. The school is now collecting money from the people of Gau to buy fuel for the generator and they are going house to house..SOURCE: Fiji Times 2011-08-12 23:37:00

Since the fuel price has further increased now, it has become more difficult for the school to buy its ration of fuel for the generator..SOURCE: Fiji Times 2011-08-12 23:37:

Interesting that quote from Allafrica.com: If prices go up we will simply pass it on to the consumer. While on the cost of goods, the Bio Security Unit formerly the Quarantine Department have introduced fees and charges. I am told they are revenue generating fees. They are pretty steep. I wonder if the people who enacted the law simply said, “Oh don’t worry, the new fees will be passed onto the consumer.”

Imagine that.

Together, We Stand: a Poem by Mosmi Bhim

 
 Written for the Hibiscus Festival, 2011. Mosmi used to work for the CCF.

Making the Law Work for HIV : The Fiji HIV/AIDS Decree 2011

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Address by Nazhat Shameem* at the 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific – 26-30 August 2011 – Busan, South Korea.


Introduction
The HIV/AIDS Decree was passed in Fiji in February 2011. It ended years of lobbying and assistance in preparation by UNAIDS and other civil society groups, determined to enable a legal framework in Fiji which would facilitate an approach to HIV/AIDS based on human rights, non-stigmatisation, education, and awareness.

I was asked to conduct a number of workshops around Fiji, by the Fiji School of Medicine and the Ministry of Health. The workshops were for health professionals, but also for civil society groups, lawyers, judges and police officers. In short, they were for anyone who might have any communication or relationship with those who have HIV status. One of the first attendees was His Excellency the President of Fiji, who has a commitment to HIV issues. Another attendee was the Chief Justice with three of his judges. The Dean of the Fiji School of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences attended. Most of the senior teaching staff at the College attended.

Friday 2 September 2011

Engaging with the Pacific Meeting: Several Items

Representatives from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, French Polynesia, the Kanaks of New Caledonia, Tonga, Timor Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia are satisfied with the progress Fiji has made.

CCF Letter to John Key, Incoming Chairman, Pacific Forum

August 16, 2011

Mr. Prime Minister,

Re: The Political Situation in Fiji – Critical Engagement By Pacific  Forum Leaders

The Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF), a Fiji based NGO, writes to  seek your assistance and understanding, at a time when Fiji is at a crossroads with our people living in uncertainty.

News and Editor's Comments Friday 2.9.11

Weekend  Reading as usual tommorrow.
Friday 2.9.11
My Apologies. The lack of postings over the past few days is due to family reasons, not a change in standpoint. I hope to be "back at the office" late next week. If only some kind reader, whose approach to the Fiji situation is broadly similar to my own, would offer to post me  two or three "ready to post" items a week, it would greatly help.    Meanwhile, here are a number of items of interest. Reports on the Engaging the Pacific meeting that ends today will be posted separarely.

Graffiti and police stations. A quick roundup of last week would include the anti-blog story of a boy of "Indo-Fijian descent" who is alleged to have had three fingers broken by the police for writing graffiti in Lami, and the equally "plausible" story that Bainimarama had ordered someone else's fingers cut off.  This came at the same time as news that two police stations had been torched at Vatudradra and Nawai, presumably on orders from the phantom Viti Revolutionary Army, that was also behind the the mass protest that was supposed to coincide with last weekend's Hibiscus Festival.