The NZ DominionPost reports (2 March): "Fiji's military regime is quietly moving towards general elections for later this year despite public utterances by dictator Voqere Bainimarama rejecting regional calls for an urgent return to democracy, sources in Suva say. Growing speculation around a November-December election was reinforced by a statement that he had been looking at Indian voting machines this week." [One really does wonder about the sources for these stories and why no effort is made to check their reliability. Any news is better than no news? Note also the "unbiased" choice of words!]
Col. Pita Driti continues with his warnings about who will not be allowed to participate in the President's Political Dialogue Forum. His most recent "victim" is former SDL MP and HotBread owner Mere Samisoni who he accused of supporting the 2000 Speight Coup. She had delivered bread to the coup-makers for which she said they paid. I suspect Mere did support the coup, which she denies, but Col. Driti, with respect, how come you decide who will attend? Very moderate statements are needed from all parties as we head into the Forum landing.
This advice also applies to SDL Director Peceli Kinivuwai who has laid the blame for Greater Suva's worsening water supply on the Interim Government. Secretary for Information Neuma Leweni correctly accused him of trying to get political traction from a long standing problem. The water pipes were laid over 40 years ago and have been irregularly maintained as Suva's population more than trebled. Speaking on World Consumer Day in 2004, when Greater Suva used 150 million litres of water daily, former PM Qarase noted leaks responsible for 15-25% water loss in Greater Suva and close to 50% nationally. It was hoped to reduce this to 30% by 2007. Hardly the fault of the Interim Government! (Walsh Fiji: an Encylopaedic Atlas 2006: 184)
Some 18 political parties have submitted suggestions for the 15 NGOs that will be represented at the President's Political Dialogue Forum.The Interim PM will make the final selection.
FHRC Shaista Shameen has been elected chairperson of the UN Working Group investigating the employment of military mercenaries.
The Court has issued a stay order, deferring the introduction of a compulsory retirement age of 50 for public servants.
The Fiji Island Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has launched its own website www.ficac.org.fj Some 29 charges have been laid but to date there's only been one conviction.
No comments:
Post a Comment