Ratu Inoke Kubuabola
Government has announced that Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, former leader of Rabuka's SVT party (1999-2000) and SDL Minister in the Qarase interim government following the Speight Coup of 2000, is the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Corporation and Civil Aviation. Prior to his appointment, he was High Commissioner to PNG and more recently Fiji's Ambassador to Japan.
Murder Accused: Shades of Ballu Khan
The pre-trial of eight men, arrested in 2007 and accused of plotting to kill PM Bainimarma and other government figures will be held in September, and the full trial next February. NZ readers will remember the alleged plot because it involved Ballu Khan, the so-called NZ businessman, who was later aqcquitted of conspiracy to murder. Go to Read this Blog and type his name for earlier reports.
Radio NZI Suva correspondent Matelita Ragogo had this to say: “A mixed group really. There’s a high chief among them Ratu Inoke Takiveikata; the former intelligence unit director of the army, Metisuela Mua, who is another of them. Sivaniolo Naulago, Feoko Gadekibau, Barbados Mills, Kameli Vosavere, the common element amongst them, apart from the high chief, is their military background.” -- Read in full.
Methodists: Dialogue is the Key
Methodist Assistant General Secretary, Rev.Tevita Nawadra,says dialogue is the key to move the country forward, the church will work with government to achieve this, and will take part in the process to change Fiji's constitution. He said the Church will get the executives together to ensure that they have the same mindset.
It would be unrealistic to expect all church leaders to agree with the new position (inflammatory torchbearers Revs Lasaro and Kanailagi most certainly will not) but one hopes the announcement reflects a shift from their party-political involvement and confrontation approach to the more moderate opinions of people like former Church President Josateki Koroi who earlier advised church leadership to "relook at where the church is heading, especially with the presence of Rev. Manasa Lasaro."
Sugar and the EU
The February floods and problems with new equipment has seriously delayed and diminished sugar exports, adding to Fiji's longstanding problems in the sugar industry, but 27,500 tonnes of raw sugar (some 2,500 tonnes short of quota) have now left for the Tate and Lyle refinery in London for sale to the European Union. The National Farmers' Union is concerned that ongoing shortfalls will mean farmers will receive less, as the UE reduces its present preferential price subsidy by a further 16 percent. The last phase of the 36 per cent price reduction that began in 2007 ends on October 1.
To achieve present prices 90,000 tonnes of sugar need to reach Tate and Lyle before October 1. To achieve this target the first shipment should have been on July 15 with 30,000 tonnes, another 30,000 tonnes by August 15 and the final shipment by September 1 of another 30,000 tonnes. -- Based on Fiji Times.
Lau Group Wants Government to Help Fund Projects
Traditional leaders in eastern Fiji are looking to the Government for assistance in avoiding “empty islands” as their people continue to move to the main land for jobs and higher education. Military Council member and Lau Provincial Council chairman, Col.Ratu Tevita Rokolui Mara, said they want to generate small businesses in the Lau Islands but for this they will need Government assistance. “Can government fund projects that can keep the people there? I suppose we will find a solution to this soon.” The Lomaiviti Group, Kadavu, Rotuma and indeed most remote rural areas in the main islands also face these problems. -- Based on Fiji Live.
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