The Fiji Village headline "Bainimarama Takes Vacant Portfolios" none-too-subtely inferred Bainimarama was making another presumed grab for power. But the "vacant portfolios" were Ratu Epeli Nailatikau's who could no longer hold them because he had been appointed Vice-President. The article was about him, not Bainimarama! Fiji Live and Fiji Times on-line reports on the appointment were notable for what they did not say. Media bias is not always open and obvious; inference and omission can be just as effective .
Yet Wikipedia could report, within minutes, the appointment of Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, LVO, OBE, MSD, OStJ, former supreme military commander deposed by Rabuka's 1987 coup; former diplomatic representative to the UK and Pacific Island states; former Speaker of the House under Qarase (2001-06); former candidate for PM after the Speight coup he opposed; and post-2006 minister of several important portfolios.
In addition to his diplomatic and military credentials, Ratu Epeli is a high chief, a great-great-grandson of Ratu Seru Cakobau who ceded Fiji to Britain, a son of Ratu Edward Cakobau, commander of the Fijian Battalion in World War II, and a grandson of King George Tupou II of Tonga. He was strongly opposed to the 2000 Speight coup and withdrew his nomination in 2001 for PM in favour of Laisenia Qarase, under whom he later served as Deputy PM. From 2001 to 2006 he was Speaker of the House. Following the 2006 coup, he served in several positions under Bainimarama. In 2007 he was nominated for VP (replacing another good man, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, who had been ousted by Baimarama because of his anti-coup position) but was rejected by the Great Council of Chiefs who were advised his appointment would compromise their anti-coup position. Ratu Epeli is also noted, as former UNAIDS representative for the Pacific, for his outspoken work on HIV/Aids. His wife is Adi Koila Nailatikau, daughter of former PM and President, Ratu Mara. They have two children.
Ratu Epeli was sworn in by the President at a ceremony attended by his wife, Cdre Bainimarama and his ministers, Catholic Archbishop Petero Mataca, High Commissioners of India, Malaysia and PNG, and Ambassadors for China and Kiribati. It is instructive to note the diplomats both absent and present, most especially the presence of Forum members PNG and Kiribati.
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