Meanwhile, PM Bainimarama has again said the proposed regional trade agreement PACER Plus, advocated by Australia and New Zealand, will not benefit Fiji. He may be right but this is not the time to say it.
His speech in Kadavu (see previous post) was also not helpful, leaving the impression of the military leaning on any future government not toeing the line. He presumably meant if it departed from the principles of the People's Charter (that few can disagree with, and which will will provide the framework for the new Constitution) but this was not made clear.
Diplomacy is about building bridges, not threatening them when construction has hardly begun. It is also about tact, timing, keeping your eye on the long term goals, and good PR, and being misunderstood only when intended.
I can't see how Fiji can possibly benefit if NZ does not accept LtCol Leweni as Fiji's senior representative in Wellington, good man that he might be.
Driti was right in one thing, though. He said Jone Baledrokadroka's claim on Radio NZ that Leweni was to go to Wellington to "spy ...is childish."
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OK, lets start fresh. Substitute Driti in place of Leweni. The are many others in the Military who are qualified for that position. Who dictates what and to who?????
What on earth is Pita Driti doing talking about all this stuff to Radio Tarana? Who, in fact, is he speaking for, himself or the government as a whole? This is what is so damaging to Fiji, the fact that the regime seems unable to speak with one voice. Every two bit idiot seems to be able to have their say, whether it's Driti, Leweni,Teleni, Tikoduadua, Aiyaz, the Bainimarama family dog etc. The first rule of effective government is discipline, the second is to be "on message". On these two vital issues, the regime falls short. When are they going to realise that they'll only be taken seriously when they stop looking like a rabble to the outside world? Two things need to be done as a matter of urgency. Bainimarama has to tell the rest to shut up unless authorised to speak about issues in their remit or portfolio. And the regime has to raise the bar of its communication effort by putting in a proper, disciplined, modern PR machine. The government. and the country, have to speak with one voice. And that voice needs to be reasoned, sensible and literate for Fiji to have any hope of getting its neighbours to change their policies from punishment to encouragement. Piti Driti told Radio Tarana Fiji was testing New Zealand's "genuity". The guy isn't even literate so shut him up and quick.
Col Leweni is perfect for the job. He was not chosen for being articulate, diplomatic or his knowledge of foreign affairs. He is not there to indulse in diplomatic or intellectual ping pong as the academics would hope. Frank could not give a toss what ANZ thinks. The situation does not deserve the sharpest tool in the shed. It deserves the bluntest most rusted caneknife. Frank is not stupid.
Furthermore, any fool with half a brain can see what Frank thinks of the motives of ANZ - they get no respect until they lift their travel bans. Period. He never danced to ANZ's tune and is not about to start. He is not gonna start an act of contrition.
@ qanibulu
spot on bro. NZ wants a resumption of diplomatic ties, talk to us without conditions. Our nominee will be someone who is in the loop of what our govt and its objectives are all about, and the same applies to the NZ nominee. This govt has the mandate of the majority and is the best Fiji has ever seen. Our cards are on the table, it is transparent. Take it or leave it, the choice is yours. The whole world should know by now that we look thru the windscreen and not the rear vision mirror.
Croz, PR is a tool used mainly by those who lack courage of conviction to do what is right and be judged by the quality of their actions. Politicians find the need to resort to PR to sway public opinion and embellish their egos.
Actions and results speak louder than words. That is Frank's notion of PR. Anything less is scrotum massaging.
Qanibulu, if you think PR is just "scrotum massaging", you don't understand the importance in the global multi media era of getting your message across. So Frank has courage and conviction? Big deal. If he comes across instead as someone bereft of judgement and constantly putting his foot in his mouth, no one is going to be impressed. I say it's bad PR to raise doubts about what might happen after democracy is restored, whether or not you intend to stand aside or play watchdog, as he's telling everyone four years out. Just as its bad PR to say the Methodists aren't going to be able to hold their annual conference for the next four years, even if that's what you intend to do. Why? Because you're frightening the horses when you don't need to. Just when you're trying to get your neighbours to engage with you, you're saying things to enrage the people they need to keep on side to make that engagement - their constituents and the media who can make or break them. The smart thing is to manage these issues, not charge around like a bull in a china shop and then wonder why things get broken. So for Frank, it's about being clever for a change instead of letting off grenades and wondering why your neighbours aren't impressed.
Frank has always said this from day one - the change to Fiji must come from within, not without. He has never wavered from that course. He is not out there to impress the western media or misinformed politicians who cannot appreciate the complexities of implementing change in Fiji.
The only people Frank would like to impress are the ordinary, hard working people of Fiji who have been betrayed by past governments and coups. He does not give a rat's ass about impressing ANZ, the western media or anyone who has fled Fiji for greener pastures.
He does not need a PR machine to do that - the people get to experience the impact first hand.
Qanibulu, you really are talking bulu. You say Frank is keen to impress the "ordinary. hard working people of Fiji who have been betrayed by past governments and coups" But the truth is he doesn't trust them enough to call an early election. Why? because he'd lose and the forces against him would win. So spare us your own spin on this. Frank better give a "rat's ass" about what Australia, NZ and the western media think if he wants to last the distance. Because right now, the Fiji economy doesn't have the necessary growth to get him to 2014 without burgeoning unemployment, dislocation and social unrest. You're evidently one of those ostrich types who think the country can go it alone and turn its back on the rest of the world. OK, do it. But be prepared to wear the economic consequences.
@ No man is an island
Sounds like you have not been to Fiji recently. The economy is improving and record number of Tourists are visiting the country. The Govt has significantly reduced wasteful spending and is actually spending money where it matters eg Education
Snoopy, as a matter of fact, I have just returned from Fiji. Yes, there are a lot of tourists arriving but anyone in tourism will tell you that the yields are simply not there. Rock bottom air fares and accommodation deals are attracting low spenders from Australia and NZ who often arrive with their own booze and even food! So you show me an operator really making money at the moment and I'll show you a hen's tooth. In fact, the economy is stumbling along with a growth rate barely struggling out of the negative. If you can give me the name of one business leader who'll endorse your rosy picture of the economy, I'll eat my salusalu. In fact, there's a level of despondency in business circles in Fiji that I found frankly alarming. And everyone I spoke to said the regime has got to get its act together as a matter of urgency to inspire the kind of confidence needed for further investment. In short, there's a lot of propaganda floating around to the effect that Fiji is OK. Unfortunately, the reality is less encouraging.
@ rose tinted glasses...
The yields are down because Oz and NZ are only just coming out of a recession. Obviously the tourists will have less spending power. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure that one. Yields are down in all popular tourist destinations.
But the encouraging thing are the numbers - in the next three month Fiji will be hit with record tourist numbers as the new low airfares by Air Pacific and Virgin come into play.
Have you been to any of the local restaurants during your stay? Did you have to join the queue for a table? There is shitloads of money being rotated in the economy - you can tell by the numbers of flash cars being driven around Suva and Nadi.
I guess the despondency you encountered came from those who grew fat on the previous corrupt government and now are feeling the pinch.
I suggest you get used to eating your withered salusalu because Fiji is rocking and rolling.
@Rose tinted glasses - i have just arrived back from Fiji - airfares in Fiji are down permanently - forget the old $1000 from Aus - it will be around AUD$500 in the future as long as oil prices stay below $150 thanks to competition and the new Low Fare no Service world we now live in.
I spoke to many business people in Fiji and yes tourism yields were down in June/July 2009 and have been picking up steadily. The devaluation has made Fiji cheaper for tourists. Yields are still below where they would like - yes you are correct there. However i have been speaking to many business people in Fiji who would not apprecaite being named and they have always whinged about how things could be better. But this does not stop them having dinner and drinks at Cardo's @ Port Denarau.
A 1st year Uni economics student will tell you that increased demand (read already record tourist numbers) will transalate to higher prices (yields as you like to say.
Unfortunately you are not willing to see the reality in Fiji - things are improving despite the best effort of Banimarama haters. If the economy does well than Australia and NZ will not be able to bully Fiji.
Qanibulu, you'll be the one munching on your salusalu, kiddo. Talk about deluded. And Snoopy, all I can say is that you had one overpriced cocktail too many at "Espero" Cardo's lasu establishment. Your argument is just like one of those bulls from the pampas of Argentina Senor Slater conjured up in a drunken moment. ( God love him ) Funnily enough, I'm on your side in backing Frank's basic agenda. But I don't think it helps anyone to be smitten with wishful thinking like both of you seem to be rather than look at the hard evidence. Yes, there are encouraging signs and three cheers for Frank for doing something for the forgotten poor and those in isolated places like Kadavu. But the truth is Fiji is on a knife-edge and hubris is the last thing we need. We've got to get our bigger neighbours back on side and working with us, not annoy them like some yapping little dog. We can maintain our sovereignty and pride without being the neighbourhood boor.
@get smart...
You make me laugh... "Fiji on a knife edge?"...
Over the last nine years Fiji has been on the knife's edge - there is nothing new. Fiji has weathered contempt, criticism, economic sanctions, political blackmail, media propaganda, military intimidation (resulting in the loss of two lives and one Blackhawk), failed mutiny, etc etc etc... everything bar the kitchen sink has been thrown at Frank by our so called concerned neighbours. He has taken their best shots and has outlived two governments in these countries.
Can you understand how the guy must feel every time some new kid on the block comes along and tells him he must toe the line or else...
Frank has gone past that point. It is our neighbours who have the catching up to do.
Qanibulu, if you don't think it's a knife edge to hover just above negative growth when thousands of school leavers are again trying to get jobs that don't exist, I can't help you. I'm not trying to tell Frank to toe the line. I'm trying to remind the eternal optimists like you that any rosy forecasts for the Fiji economy are either wishful thinking or spin. We might get over the line and then again, we mightn't. Great.
@madrai..
Putting it into perspective. More than half the developed world is still reeling from the economic freefall of a year ago. Many of these nations will experience negative growth. Fiji's economic woes are not unique but are a darn sight better than most of these countries. In fact I would say economically Fiji prospects for the next two years are very encouraging. And as for bringing home the madrai, with the devaluation, ordinary market gardeners, local businesses, those involved in hospitality have been given a chance to prosper. Imports are down and there is a more equitable distribution of wealth.
The job prospects of the thousands of Fiji school leavers are a darn sight better than the tens of thousands of workers from the industrial giant Toyota who will be on the unemployment queue soon.
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