CORRECTION. No one has been endorsed at the Political Parties meeting last Friday to be Chief Mediator in the political dialogue process in Fiji. This will be decided at the next Political parties meeting on April 3rd. Sir Rabbie was one of the names proposed.Yesterday's meeting of political leaders was the second of three that set the stage for the President's Political Dialogue Forum -- and the outcome was good. The agenda was accepted by consensus, and former PNG PM Sir Rabbie Namaliu (photo) was endorsed as chairperson by all but two minor political parties.
Fiji Live reported that former PM and Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) Party leader Laisenia Qarase "hailed the second political leaders meeting ... and described it a fruitful one ... The atmosphere of the meet was good and there was a genuine intent among leaders to come to a consensus regarding issues that have to be ironed out before an election is held.”
The only matters on which all did not agree were the Chair and the names of mediators forwarded by the UN and the Commonwealth. General Voters Party spokesman Fred Caine, questioned Sir Rabbie's appointment; doubted that mediators unknown in Fiji could play a useful role; and said the UN and CW's intention that the PPDF will finish in six months "and go straight into elections without the necessary reforms” suggested hidden agendas. Conservative Alliance Matanitu Vanua spokesman Ropate Sivo is reported to have said he did not want the people of Fiji to be fooled by the UN and the Commonwealth. CAMV wanted the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to facilitate the Forum meeting. [Neither of these parties had any direct representation in the old parliament but former PM Laisenia Qarase included some former members of CAMV, the most extreme of the Fijian nationalist parties, in his Government. CAMV was implicated in the 2000 "Speight" coup.] Qarase said the Interim Government also had reservations on those proposed as possible mediators.
The next meeting, on 3th April, will determine the PPDF's Terms of Reference. [Condensed from Fiji Live]
It's been said that Sir Rabbie is far too decent a man to enjoy long term success in PNG politics. During his term as Prime Minister (1988-1992) he was blackmailed: several members of his own PANGU party agreed to step down as ministers (PANGU at the time had a rotation of ministerial portfolios policy) but then threatened to cross the floor and vote him out unless he agreed to provide them with money for "projects" in their electorates. Later, after losing the prime ministership in the 1992 elections, he faced criminal charges over the matter but was acquitted. Sir Rabbie served for a time as Speaker of Parliament, a job he did with distinction. He was appointed foreign minister in Sir Michael Somare's third government in 2002." [Based on Australian Network News.
Fiji Live reported that former PM and Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) Party leader Laisenia Qarase "hailed the second political leaders meeting ... and described it a fruitful one ... The atmosphere of the meet was good and there was a genuine intent among leaders to come to a consensus regarding issues that have to be ironed out before an election is held.”
The only matters on which all did not agree were the Chair and the names of mediators forwarded by the UN and the Commonwealth. General Voters Party spokesman Fred Caine, questioned Sir Rabbie's appointment; doubted that mediators unknown in Fiji could play a useful role; and said the UN and CW's intention that the PPDF will finish in six months "and go straight into elections without the necessary reforms” suggested hidden agendas. Conservative Alliance Matanitu Vanua spokesman Ropate Sivo is reported to have said he did not want the people of Fiji to be fooled by the UN and the Commonwealth. CAMV wanted the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to facilitate the Forum meeting. [Neither of these parties had any direct representation in the old parliament but former PM Laisenia Qarase included some former members of CAMV, the most extreme of the Fijian nationalist parties, in his Government. CAMV was implicated in the 2000 "Speight" coup.] Qarase said the Interim Government also had reservations on those proposed as possible mediators.
The next meeting, on 3th April, will determine the PPDF's Terms of Reference. [Condensed from Fiji Live]
There's a long way to go. But this was a very good start.
Profile on the Chairman
Sir Rabbie Langanai Namaliu, GCL, CSM, KCMG (62) served as Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 1988 to 1992 as leader of the Pangu Party. An ethnic Tolai from East New Britain, he is a graduate of the UPNG and Canada's University of Victoria in British Colombia. Prior to his political career he lectured in political science at the UPNG. [Based on Wikipedia.]It's been said that Sir Rabbie is far too decent a man to enjoy long term success in PNG politics. During his term as Prime Minister (1988-1992) he was blackmailed: several members of his own PANGU party agreed to step down as ministers (PANGU at the time had a rotation of ministerial portfolios policy) but then threatened to cross the floor and vote him out unless he agreed to provide them with money for "projects" in their electorates. Later, after losing the prime ministership in the 1992 elections, he faced criminal charges over the matter but was acquitted. Sir Rabbie served for a time as Speaker of Parliament, a job he did with distinction. He was appointed foreign minister in Sir Michael Somare's third government in 2002." [Based on Australian Network News.
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