His "The Fiji government is testing the NZ government on whether it is genuine in having dialogue and assisting Fiji" can only be seen in Wellington as brinksmanship.
Prime Mininster Bainimarama: Government needs to speak with one voice. Too much is at stake! We already have enough people in NZ working against Leweni's appointment. They don't need Driti's support.
(+) School Leaders Must Perform. The Education Ministry will replace head teachers and heads of departments whose schools have consistently underperformed over the last three years. Education Minister Filipe Bole School says he will be personally lead a team of officials to visit these underperforming schools, saying many school heads have become too comfortable in their current appointment, which has allowed complacency to settle in. He said a jolting exercise was required.
(o) Rice Farmers in Bua Province in Vanua Levu
say their crops are thriving thanks to a new variety of rice provided by the Ministry of Agriculture that takes only 12 weeks to mature. Villager Peni Matakasi, whose increased yields have enabled him to buy a tractor and harvester, says 18 other villagers are also planting rice, and they hope soon to form a village co-operative. The rice is sold to Rewa Rice Ltd.
(o) PM's Kadavu Tour Continues. PM Bainimarama called on the people of Kadavu and Fiji to support his government’s reform process, and accepted a tabua (whale's tooth), as a traditional apology from the Sainima tikina who had earlier opposed his leadership. The PM told villagers to send away those who visit their villages and make complaints against the work of government. He asked the people to try to help themselves and government will do its part.
13 comments:
Pita Drita ought to be in Iraq dodging bombs, just like Frank wanted. Instead, he stays at home throwing bombs because the UN rejected him. This outburst is a disaster for Fiji. We'll soon know if the Kiwis are going to accept Lt Col Leweni as counsellor in Wellington But if they don't, we can blame the Brigadier. A viavialevu who can't helping shooting his mouth off. Hopeless.
The Kadavu tour is a sign of acceptance of Banimarama's government by the ordinary Fijians. The Govt has reprioritised its spending and is spending heavily on education(no fees, free text books, free travel) and basic needs in Fiji such as roads and footpaths. This is having a real impact on the grass levels. Just talk to the people on the streets and they can feel things are better for them
Croz, don't be too hard on Pita Driti.
The journos got him the morning after the big gig in town where he still had some cool jazz vibes ringing in his ears.
In any case what he stated was the bleeding obvious. Sailosi the shoe-shine boy who never went to school could have told the media the same.
i think it is a clever move by the Military - check out if NZ are serious or whether the relationship will be on their terms again.
Qanibulu and Wheelbarrow. "Clever"? "Don't be too hard on Driti"? What's wrong with you? You know, I'd like to check the "genuity" of Fiji for compromise by putting forward James Batley from Australia and Todd Cleaver from NZ to represent their countries again. That would rub frank's nose in it, just like he seems to want to rub everyone's else nose in it. If you think Australia and NZ need Fiji more than Fiji needs them, you're deluded. And dangerous. This is a game of bluff Fiji can't win.
@ OX...
You need to fart more often to blow off the gnats around your ass.
We are only having a dig at Pita Driti.
The fact of the matter is at the very foundation of any meaningful dialogue lies an element of trust otherwise it is all smokes and mirrors.
The present travel bans imposed by Oz and NZ is the bone of contention. It would appear their initial hangup and the reason for the was about the timetable for the "return to democracy".
In the last 12 months and the way things are panning out it would appear Bainimarama made the right call. It begs the question - are the governments of Oz and NZ wise enough to see they had backed the wrong horse and that any path forward must involve the removal of blinkers and making some concession on their part?
Embrace Leweni's appointment and you start the process...
Qanibulu, it is not me who needs to expel methane as you've so crudely suggested. You've dispensed more solid matter in your arguments than I'm ever capable of mustering. Now, Croz is going to throw us off his blog but you started it!
Driti is 100% correct. If NZ wants diplomatic ties with a military govt, accept its nominee. It is as simple as that.
Everyone seems to be ignoring that the reason for appointing additional councillors was to facilitate the operation of the High Commissions after the recent tit for tat. The NZ High Commission in Suva is shut down because a total of six staff have been either refused accreditation or expelled. The appointment of the bandmaster does little to facilitate the day to day operations that were to be improved with this first step. Those of us in Fiji who have to apply for a NZ visa have to mail it in and currently it is taking 12 weeks for a simple visitors permit.
The Fiji High Commission in Wellington is also dragging it's heels on passport renewels (8 weeks) and seems very disorganised at present.
Lets get the High Commisions back running and then play politics
Funglius Said:
Just curious but .. is it normal for the Fijian military to annouce their plans to the media before actions take place ? Assuming Ditra was actually experiencing battle: would he annouce his plans to everyone before they happen. I'm sure that this would really help everyone on the other side, if they knew what his side planned. Not sure it would help his side that much.
Just heard Pita Driti's comments to Auckland's Radio Tarana replayed on Radio Australia. They sound even worse out of his mouth than they do on paper. The tone of hubris and arrogance in Driti's voice made me very depressed. On a day that Richard Herr's report advocating engagement with Fiji should have been the main focus of attention, he had to jostle for air time with the bumbling Brigadier. For God's sake, will somebody persuade Frank to rein these idiots in and get the country speaking intelligently with one voice!
@dreadful..
So Driti did not live to your expectations because his elocution let him down. Did the colour of his skin bother you? Or the fact that he could have done with a better shave? Or the tone of his voice made you depressed? Just as well you were not standing next to him because you would have complained about the smell of curry on his breath.
Hey there is a cure for your depression - get a life!
Another rant from the colonial-hating, Driti- loving racial stereotyper with a chip on both shoulders and a head brimming with hot air.
Post a Comment