In his clearest statement so far, PM Bainimarama has spelt out what he intends for Fiji's future: Elections will be held in 2014; the country will be run by Government (and not the Great Council of Chiefs or the Methodist Church) and "the Military will always be there to see the path taken by the new government is on the same track." Sinister as this may seem to some, it is similar to other former colonial countries, such as Indonesia, Philippines and even Singapore, where the path to democracy followed a different route from Western democracies. Radio Fiji reports:Bainimarama says the Fiji military that took over the country in 2006, was different from the military that took over in 1987 and 2000.
He added that there would be no delay to elections being held in 2014, but the military would ensure the new government keeps to the path they have set. FBC Reporter Apisalome Coka is in Kadavu with the Prime Minister’s delegation and filed this report:
"Speaking to civil servants at the Vunisea government station Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama declared that Government will run the country and no other institution, such as the Methodist Church or the Great Council of Chiefs.
Bainimarama says this is where past governments have failed. The PM urged civil servants to work together. He said the country has a new military in place that is much different from the military that took over in 1987 and 2000.
Bainimarama told civil servants the military council has suggested he bring in four of his colonels as Commissioners* as he wants quick responses to what the people need."
"The Commander has also called on government officials in the province to urge the people to stand by the People’s Charter. He says the People’s Charter is the backbone to the reforms being carried out in the country.
"He also revealed that officials from the World Bank who visited the country last November supported government plans and told him it was the best for Fiji.
"Bainimarama also confirmed there will be no delay in elections scheduled for 2014. He said by 2014 Politicians, church leaders, chiefs, and all those in leadership roles should be ready to continue where his government has brought the country to. But he warned the Military will always be there to see the path taken by the new government is on the same track." For FBC News, I'm Apisalome Coka."
* Regional administration is overseen by commissioners of four "Divisions," Western, Northern, Eastern and Central. The large (478 km2) island of Kadavu, a little smaller than NZ's Lake Taupo, is 80 km2 south of the main island Viti Levu (10,429km2)
15 comments:
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Ok, so now we have it. Fiji will return to democracy in 2014 but it will be a puppet government of the military. Whenever the politicians deviate from the will of the commander, they'll be forced back into line or replaced. is that really democracy? Why not just run a permanent dictatorship with Frank as president for life and an elected "prime minster" who governs day-to-day but has no real power. That seems to be the regime's blueprint so why not just come clean and admit it? This is exactly what everyone has feared - that the military is now so entrenched that its thirst for power will never be quenched. This will go down as the "Vunisea Declaration", the moment Frank dropped the pretence and acknowledged that Fiji is now a permanent military dictatorship. Nothing could be more designed to dissuade the Aussies and the Kiwis from bothering to "engage" with the regime. It isn't going to happen.
Wow, a country ruled by the colonels. Just like Greece between 1967 and 1974. They called that a "military junta". Isn't that what we've got in Fiji now? I gather you pronounce that "hoonta". But when it comes to Frank and his colonels, I prefer the London Sun's derisory headline about the Argentine military during the Falklands war - "Shove it up your junta!" ( as in jumper ).
Croz, I'd be interested to read a more detailed analysis from your viewpoint of Bainimarama's latest statement. I don't think "sinister as this may seem to some, it's similar to..." is really adequate under the circumstances. The difference is that Fiji was a democracy, more or less, for most of the 36 years from independence to 2006. How can this be compared to the countries you've mentioned? Instead of jumping to Frank's defence at every turn, I think it's time for you to call "last drinks". In other words, start warning him that he needs to change or lose those people still prepared to stand up for him. There's a sinister element to these latest comments in Kadavu that are simply beyond the pale.
You do what you have to do Frank. We will be with you all the way to the birth of the new truly democratic Fiji. Let the naysayers say whatever they want to say, it won't stop us from supporting you all the way.
Sorry folks, I was the write of the comment above by Anonymous at 1:56:00 PM. I will write it again here:
You do what you have to do Frank. We will be with you all the way to the birth of the new truly democratic Fiji. Let the naysayers say whatever they want to say, it won't stop us from supporting you all the way.
Oi, where's your name like the man said, you anonymous ulu kau? Truly democratic? You gotta be joking. Have another bilo and go back to sleep.
Oi, the Max, so they managed to rouse you? Perhaps now they can try to talk some sense into you.
@ TheMinimum
The problem with you is that you live in the old Fiji. Your mindset is still in the old Fiji of Laisenia Qarase and his crooks.
I beg you come and work with us build the new Fiji. Everybody else has but only the Qarase crooks hasn't. I say bye bye.
I always laugh at these naysayers who keep trying to take Bainimarama down yet they are failing left, right and centre. Hey guys give it up. We are moving forward.
WARNING. Some comments are becoming too personal. Attack the argument and not the man, or your comment will be deleted. A little bit of "ribbing" is okay but it must not be the main point of your comment. Please help me to maintain the high quality of most comments.
@ The Max
I am with you bro, and looking foward to our new Fiji. I dont think we should even talk about elections because there is absolutely no need for it. If elections solved our problems, I would be inclined to have one on a daily basis.
"...the country will be run by Government..."
and
"...the Military will always be there to see the path taken by the new government is on the same track..."
Well, there's your irreconcilable contradiction right there. The country can either be run by the (democratic elected representative) Government, OR it can be overseen by the (undemocratic, unelected, unrepresentative) military.
By definition, the two are mutually exclusive.
In any newly independent nation you need a strong military presence to protect the rights of the people and to ensure the democratic process is adhered to. What is happening in Afganistan and Iraq are the classic examples - the democratic processes hastily instigated by the US and the UN are threatened by violent internal factions simply because the countries lack a committed and united military.
There is no contradiction. Only misinterpretation.
Qanibulu, you talk as if independence in Fiji was yesterday when the truth is we've been making a hash of things for the past 40 years. OK, the last 23 years since the first coup in '87. I don't get the logic of your argument. We had a strong military all along. What changed is that they forgot that their job is to take their orders from the government of the day. Protect the rights of the people? How about protecting the rights of the people to choose their own way?
I hear you Qanibulu.
But I think you're looking at the wrong examples.
Look around the world for examples of strong, stable, self sustaining democracies. Ask yourself now how they were built.
The unfortunate fact is, military intervention does not, as a rule, build stable long lasting democracies.
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