Pacific unity threatened by impasse over Fiji | The Australian
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7 comments:
I agree with Richard Herr's observation except for the following:
"His intention is clear: to use the MSG to help drive a wedge through the forum and make it a less useful mechanism for pressure against the Fiji government. "
Frank is not vindictive. The MSG alliance was always strong and goes deep. It is not in the Pacific Way to go out of ones way to fracture relationships. It is a culture of inclusiveness, not exclusivity.
Canberra and Wellington have only themselves to blame by systematically writing Fiji out of the PIF and Pacer agreements. They got it all wrong.
And I too agree with Richard Herr including the bit that Qanibulu doesn't like. Of course Frank is driving a wedge through the Pacific Forum by playing the MSG card. It's got nothing to do with being vindictive. It's what any worthwhile military strategist would do under the circumstances and that is to open up another front. If the Forum closes its doors to Fiji, why not turn to the MSG and use it as a counterbalance to Australian and NZ pressure on the other Forum countries. I know, Qanibulu, that you pounce on anyone who doesn't believe Frank should be fast-tracked to sainthood. But why not accept that he's merely human and will engage in normal realpolitik to achieve his objectives. It doesn't make him any less of a man or sully whatever motivation he has to move Fiji forward.
Frank plays politics while screaming that politicians are evil. No surprises here.
@gay saint..
The wedge was driven by Laurel and Hardy in Cairns - they did it all on their own without the help of Frank. Tuvalu's stand at Copenhagen clearly indicates that when push comes to shove they have a mouthpiece of their own and do not need to echo the sentiments of Laurel and Hardy. Someone should tell these dudes the era of colonialism is gone.
And as for the MSG, just because the opportunity exists for Frank to draw the wedge does not mean to say that he will do it, as you and Richard Herr would like to tell the rest of the world. You drew that conclusion. Frank is much better than that. He does not need to "use" his island neighbours to achieve his ends, like Laurel and Hardy. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
You guys should refrain from pulling the long bow and pull something else.
Qanibulu, now that you've played the "colonialism" card. I know you're beyond redemption. I don't know how old you are but I can tell you that Fiji was, in many ways, a much better place under colonial rule. Certainly on those things that really count, like health and law and order, the country has gone steadily backwards. Take a look around you. Aside from some fresh development in Suva, certain tourist areas and perhaps the Monasavu Dam, there's been no infrastructure development worth talking about since the British left. And even then, successive governments and local authorities have failed to even maintain what they've inherited, let alone build more.So spare us the leftist, academic crap about colonialism. The faded glory of what Fiji once was is all around us, from the mildewed government buildings in Suva to dilapidated community health posts on the outer islands. Every time you get in your car and drive anywhere, you're reminded of how bad things have been allowed to get. You think Australia and NZ are "Laurel and Hardy"? Well, tau, the joke's really on you. They're vibrant, multicultural nations going places in the world. Whereas Fiji is a backwater by comparison, obsessed with race, riddled with corruption, governed by elites for elites and still groping around in the dark 40 years after it was given the chance to go it alone. Give me colonialism any day if this is what independence brings.
@na Kovana ni Viti
RE: the point about colonialism and Monasavu dam and Wailoa power station construction was not paid for in cash by the colonial powers.
As I understand the situation, a loan from World/IMF was the capital, used for the Monasavu project in 1977-78, taking into account the prime moving power generation equipment (manufactured by Brown Broveri, Suzer inc. of Switzerland) were not custom built as per specifications; but just off the shelf re-used, 2nd hand or donated machinery spliced together with duck tape.
Guess who got the cream of this transaction? Follow the money!
Laminar-flow, so where did the money go and to whom? Come on, you can't post things like this and not follow through. It's like those gender confused young things at Birdland who keep you in suspense about their intentions on a Saturday night. If you're going to show something, show it!
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