This is the
link to Radio Australia's Pacific Beat programme when Bruce Hill hosted an off-the-cuff "debate" between Nick Naidu, spokesperson for Auckland-based Coalition for Democracy in Fiji, and myself.
The programme was recorded on Friday 29 Jan. 2010. To listen, you will need Windows Media or a similar programme.
11 comments:
Well done, Croz, a true voice of sanity and reason amid all the hysteria. Nik Naidu continued the tendency of pro-democracy advocates to keep harping on about principle when that principle has been overtaken by events. The law talks about the doctrine of necessity when developments go beyond normal legal strictures. To hear Naidu, Frank just has to have a Damascene conversion, return to the barracks, hold an election ( or now he's talking about a referendum? ) and all will be well. Never mind all those shades of grey lurking on the edges that make such a suggestion so preposterous given events in Fiji. Your strength is not clinging to ideological absolutes but encouraging everyone to deal with the reality as it exists, not what we might want in an ideal world. This is essential if we're to find any way at all to move forward. I personally thought you won the debate hands down, alternatively conciliatory and firm, though without the stridency that marred Naidu's own performance. I notice Radio Australia gave him the final say. Why? because what he says is a motherhood statement in the Australian context, however much we all know Australian standards and values can't be applied to the current circumstances in Fiji. A sterling effort on your part.
Well done Croz, had a listen to the debate, and I appreciate your understanding about the real Fiji situation. Nik Naidu needs to get real and get off his "democracy" and "election" horses. He speaks about mandate of Bainimarama. What is the mandate of this Coalition for Democracy in Fiji? Who does it represent? How many members do they have? When did they have their last meeting? What if any, was their stand on Fiji situation? They need to get real and pragmatic that Bainimarama is in control, you may not like it, but that is the fact. Nik says that the Military is destroying the country. That is the biggest load of hogwash in recent times. Everyone that comes out of Fiji has something good to say about the better roads, better public service delivery where corruption is being weeded out and non-performing civil servants are given the boot. Only a handful is complaining, including the armchair critics from NZ. If anything that was destroying Fiji was Qarase’s so called democracy run by the Methodist Church and the Great Council of Chiefs and the ethno nationalists masquerading as SDL Ministers of the Republic.
Croz, we are proud to have you speak for Fiji with a pragmatic approach to tackle the fundamental deep-rooted problems. Please keep up your good work. Vinaka, Qase Levu.
What a dumb arse naidu. When is he coming to Fiji for a first hand look at how good it is now and how happy the people are? An armchair critic who has absolutely no idea
There is not much on the internet about the Coalition for Democracy in Fiji (CDF) as they do not seem to have a website. After Googling, I read that in 2000 this group was very active against George Speight’s coup. Interesting that Socialism seems to a common thread with some of the members of the CDF. Maybe someone from the CDF could fill in the gaps about their pro-democracy movement and what they are really all about? Apparently back in 2000 the CDF was a group made up of former Fiji residents, political activists, trade union delegates, non-government organizations. http://www.apc.org.nz/pma/fijiblri.htm
Green Party MP Keith Locke (a former communist) was a founding member of the CDF:
Keith Locke on Fiji http://newzeal.blogspot.com/2007/01/keith-locke-on-fiji.html
Marie Leadbeater (a former Communist) and sister of Green Party MP Keith Locke is also a member of the CDF
http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2009/09/global-concerns-over-fiji-human-rights-abuses-fueled-by-new-amnesty-report/
The pro-democracy movement: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/fijians/3
"After the 1987 coups some politicians and activists fled to New Zealand. They formed local branches of the Coalition for Democracy in Fiji (CDF). The CDF lobbied for the restoration of the deposed government and democracy in Fiji, and also publicised human rights abuses there. The Operation Sunrise network fundraised for the pro-democracy movement in Fiji. The CDF condemned Fiji’s 1990 state constitution and vigorously campaigned for a constitution that was more inclusive and democratic."
White Frangipani, Keith and Marie are the daughters of the much respected late Elsie Locke who left the NZ Communist Party after the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956. I doubt either were members of the CP but even if they were, leaving your comment unanswered could leave readers with the impression that the CDF is communist-inclined. I doubt that, too. Nik, who has publically opposed all Fiji's coups (and suffered from his opposition) and many others like him are genuinely concerned about democracy in Fiji. My guess is that he agrees with much that the Bainimarama Government is doing but disputes its legality and disagrees with some of his methods.
Thanks Croz for taking up the fight.
There is a line in a Kristofferson song that goes "..tell the truth and stand your ground, don't let the bastards get you down."
You tried to enlighten a largely misinformed audience with the truth. That is all you can do.
For Naidu and his cohorts, words like freedom, democracy and human rights rattle in their mouths like pebbles in the stream. They only appeal to those far removed from the realities on the ground and who take their cues from washed up, cockeyed media ratbags. The majority of people in Fiji are sick and tired of hot air from people chasing personal agendas.
One thing is for certain - if Naidu and his mob have any political aspirations, it sure as hell won't be in Fiji. They have done their dash. The best they can hope for is join the brains trust at the ANU along with Brij Lal and Jone Bale. They can play with each others principles till the cows come in.
Hey Nik, all of us want a democracy in Fiji. A tick on a piece of paper is by no means the definition of democracy, there is much more to it. What good is a democratically elected govt when it is hell bent on racially divisive policies and rewarding coup convicts with ministerial positions? If I had the opportunity of shooting Bin Laden between his eyeballs, will you still say that I have done the wrong thing? Obviously you will not understand what I am talking about because you are an armchair critic. Anybody who was at QEB during the 2000 mutiny will agree that these mongrels had to be eliminated. Have a life Nik, spare a thought for the loyals who sacrificed their lives for Fiji.
Croz - how about you ask Nik Naidu for more detail about the Auckland-based Coalition for Democracy in Fiji. The info on the net gives very little info about the CDF and maybe what is posted does give the wrong impression about the CDF but you can only go on what is posted. How many members belong to this group and who are they and where did they come from? Are they affiliated with any political group or party? It is up the CDF to correctly inform the public about themselves.
What a refreshing debate. It appears that there is much common ground between commentators with varying viewpoints.
The Australian Government seems to be "cutting off their nose to spite their face". It is a shame Stephen Smith has only a superficial understanding of Fiji's political history. We expect more then dogma from our elected officials.
But as my Mum always told me "it doesn't matter who you vote for, you get a politician".
Was Gough Whitlam's sacking "illegal". Many have argued that it was. It all hinged on the perogative powers argument as well as the argument of necessity.
The Court of Appeal judgment of April 2009, could have been decided either way. It was a genuine 50-50 bet.
Time for the Australian government to put up or shut up.
Supporter of the People of Fiji
Hi Croz,
Listened to your debate, particularly your comment that 2006 "was a different kind of coup".
I think that crucial to convincing Aussies and NZers that the coup was different is to convince them that the previous Fijian electoral regime was broken.
Related to this, I was wondering if you would be interested in the latest civil conflict empirical research (by the Political Instability Task Force) that identifies race-based voting as the best predictor of future civil conflict. Email me if you would like a copy, it has just been published in the American Journal of Political Science, Vol. 54, No. 1, January 2010.
With this in mind, constitutional and electoral change is crucial for future Fijian stability. Thus the need for a 'different kind of coup'.
Chris, Please email me at croz.walsh@xtra.co.nz
I'll probably provide a brief introduction (unless you would like to do that) and then a link, perhaps in Background Material unless JPS has an online link to the paper. Vinaka
Post a Comment