Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, now a member of the Solomon Island Truth and Reconciliation Commission, believes Fiji may one day benefit from a similar commission to tackle unresolved issues such as “interethnic and interethnic tensions arising out of May, 2000 and earlier, unresolved issues from the mutiny and other deaths in custody, and religious intolerance”. Fiji Live.
Dual Citizenship. Fiji citizens will no longer need to renounce their Fiji citizenship if they become citizens of another country. The provision will be of special value to Fiji citizens living overseas, particularly those who left for reasons of insecurity following each of Fiji's four coups.
PSC Cuts. A Public Service proposal of a voluntary redundancy package offered to some 5,000 civil servants close to retirement could cut 20% off current civil service costs, if approved by Government. Fiji Live.
Solomons v. Samoa. ABC reports that Solomon Islands opposition leader Maaasseh Sogavare has strongly criticized Samoan PM Tuilaepa Sailele for what he called "irresponsible comments in the media about Fiji." Sogavare was reacting to Tuilaepa's comments that tougher action should be taken to force Fiji's return to democratic rule, a position contrary to last week's Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting that called for Fiji's readmission to the PI Forum and PACER talks.
John Keys's Faux Pas
I missed it but according to the NZ Herald's Political Diary, John Key made a "faux pas on his Pacific trip by likening Fiji and Samoa to 'children' and adding that one was "wayward." Faux pas? Definition: Act that compromises one's reputation; an offence against social convention; an indisceet speech or action. French = false step.
Garment Exports Up. Earnings from garment exports last year totalled $100.1 million, up $3.1 million on 2007, and $5.7 on 2006 but far below the 2000 peak of $322 million. Reduction in the world trade rules and competition since 2000 has resulted in many factory closures. Type "wages" or "garments in "Search the Blog" to see earlier posts on an industry that was once Fiji's largest employer.
You've Got to Laugh. It turns out the "sorcerers" arrested on the suspicions of local Nadi villagers were Free Masons whose ancient rituals led to the villagers' suspicions. All 14 were released the next day.
2 comments:
Of course Fiji would benefit from the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. One was asked for by former Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes. His letter, one was informed, never received a reply. Without such a Commission there will never be justice and this was made quite plain at least five years ago during a number of visits to Fiji by Father Michael Lapsley from South Africa. It is truly astounding that those in power at the time chose blatantly to disregard such requests and to assume, incorrectly, that this whole matter would 'just go away'. It will not go away. It will continue to rankle until justice is done and an appropriate Commission is in place. Then and only then will the stories of all the many misdeeds of the past be finally laid to rest. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission will require profound courage and the will to see the process through to a cathartic and proper conclusion. Too much water has now flowed under the proverbial bridge. But the ordinary people of Fiji deserve nothing less.
This is not the first 'faux pas' that has occurred in the Pacific emanating from the South: Sir Don McKinnon made almost the same remark back in 2000 when he visited Fiji with Sergio Vieira do Melho, the UN's Special Representative. This kind of easy slip-of-the-tongue is scarcely helpful. "Language matters" President Obama tells us. My oh my, is he right!
VIIth Generation
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