Short Briefs
(o) Peoples' Charter. The second meeting of 16-member National Peoples' Charter Advisory Council (NPCAC) was held on Tuesday at the Parliament complex in Veituto to discuss progress reports from various ministries on the progress of the Peoples Charter in 2009, and government programmes to be delivered in 2010. Photo: Parliament complex, Veiuto. Click to enlarge.
The National Council and its sub-committees will play an advisory role providing support to Government which is the main implementing authority of the Peoples' Charter for Change, Peace and Progress. The Council's responsibility is to monitor progress,carry out civic education and conduct dialogue on important national issues. The outcome of today’s meeting will be presented to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
(o-) Media Decree. A media authority and tribunal could be introduced soon, after which PERS, the Public Emergency Regulations will probably be lifted. Highlights: the Tribunal will probably he headed by a judge; all media organisations will be registered; criticism that the system is too controlling will need to be backed by facts. Consultations with media organisations excluding the Fiji Times and Fiji Television will begin next week.
Comment: the Decree aims to foster "responsible journalism", a worthy goal but the balance is an extremely fine one, unlikely to be achieved until an elected government replaces the military. The military mind seems to demand a level of obediance that is unhealthy in a democracy society. Similarly, genuine dialogue, which the consultations presumably seek, requires the inclusion of contrary and questioning opinion. The process is not off to a good start with the military-led goverment excluding the Times and FijiTV. Nothing is gained by exclusion, and much is to be gained by inclusion. Government well-wishers, including this blog, urge it to reconsider the exclusion.
(+) Kamikamica and embezzlement charge.A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of former Roko Tui Rewa Savenaca Kamikamica for failing to appear in Court on Tuesday. Kamikamica is alleged to have embezzled more than $11,000 meant for development schemes from the Fijian Affairs Board while holding the position of Roko Tui Rewa. Ridding Fiji of corruption is part of the Roadmap.
(-) Military detains Rinakama. Former FAP MP Peceli Rinakama is reported by blog Coupfourpointfive to have been arrested by soldiers last Friday and his whereabouts are still not known to his family. Rinakama was arrested from the Toorak, Suva, home of Naitasiri High Chief Inoke Takivekata, where together with "other subjects and friends" he was drinking yaqona soon after the latter had been found guilty of attempting to murder PM Bainimarama, a charge that was made and then withdrawn in December 2007 against Rinakama. In other words, Rinakama was one of the eleven people then thought to be co-conspirators.
The military has the power under the Public Emergency Regulations to arrest people deemed to be holding a meeting and, in the circumstances, this is what they seemed to be doing, but they do not -- at least in my books -- have the right to detain anyone for this length of time without charge, without legal counsel, without informing next of kin, and without the right to receive visitors. They most certainly do not have the right to beat the arrested. Two weeks ago a group of men including deposed SDL MPs were arrested drinking yaqona at the SDL offices, allegedly beaten and released five to nine hours later.
This blog is deeply concerned that the Bainimarama goverment has condoning this behaviour by its silence, and just as concerned that it apparently cannot see the damage such actions do to its reputation -- and the plausibility of the Roadmap.
(o) The NZHighCom welcomed Acting Head of Mission Philip Taula on Monday with an isevusevu ceremony using a tanoa presented by the late Maori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, to former president, the late Sir Kamisese Mara. Taula, a career diplomat, will be responsible for a staff of 55, including 48 locals.
(+) Bio-Fuel on Koro island, Lomaiviti Group. The PM will launch Fiji's first bio-diesel plant, in which diesel is made from copra, on Koro today. The plant will benefit 14 villages on the island. In addition to the final bio-diesel product, the milling of coconut oil can be transformed into cooking oil, body oil, soap and copra meal, which can be used as feedstock for livestock production and fertiliser. The development is part of the Roadmap to improve rural Fiji infrastructure.
(+) The Reserve Bank has released new criteria to be followed by financial institutions in the appointment of CEOs.
Free advertising? Last week I floated the idea of offering businesses whose activities support the Fiji economy free, non-intrusive advertising. One person responded positively. What do other readers think? Several anti-government blogs include "automatic" advertising for which they are paid. Please comment, and if you think it a good idea, say what businesses (or types of businesses) you would recommend.
7 comments:
NZ HIGH COMMISSION: This is what COUP 4.5 reported on this story:
"There was some confusion about the post re-opening after an interview by interim prime minister Frank Bainimarama recently to the Auckland-based station, Radio Tarana, where he said senior diplomatic staff would not be allowed back in Fiji unless travel bans were lifted."
That is false and manufactured story and my blog response is self-explanatory. I publish it here because previously, Coup 4.5 failed to publish my critical response that questioned their truth,and media ethics. Here is my response to their WRONG STORY:
"Hullo Hullo Coup 4.5. You have again started MANUFACTURING STORIES. When did Bainimarama say that the senior officers would not be allowed unless the sanctions are lifted? You certainly have a short memory, my dear Coup 4.5 journalist; please get real. What Frank told Radio Tarana was that the HIGH COMMISIONERS will not be allowed unless sanctions are lifted. He never mentioned about the ban in these lower officers being posted. Do you have any ethics, why are you twisting your stories and the facts therein?. I know, as usual, you will not post this, because it hurts. There have been past postings which you failed to post, but at least you heeded it by correcting your manufactured story. At least you can RE-MANUFACTURE and correct this story. What I least expect from your website is some elements of media ethics and ability to tell the truth without manipulating your stories. Please, go ahead, make my day, correct the story, and see if you have guts to post this one."
I let the readers be the judge.
Ah, some justified criticism at last (re: Military detentions).
Good on you Walsh so saying it like it is.
Not sure whether they'll pay attention but you did your part. Well done, son.
Stu
Dear Croz, yes, go ahead and advertise. As a regular visitor to your blog, i don't have a problem with it.
best regards.
Professor, that idea certainly has merit, but because you propose to offer it free, it will attract criticism from those who fail to get in. You could either have them pay or use strict "friendly" criteria eg. green, socially responsible, etc. This is going to be a hard one.
Keep the advertising non-political and it should be ok to give free advertising. If a business advert becomes political then the free adverts stop. There are many businesses in Fiji (especially those smaller not so well known businesses) who just want to get on and help make Fiji a better place.
Will those who advertise in your blog be seen as supporting a regime that murders people?
No business or individual with integrity would want that?
I would say that since the government hasn't made any comment that about this claim of detention of Rinakama that it probably is true.
The same as the previous claim of the three SDL officials arrested and taken to the military barracks.
The sooner the government makes a statement the better.
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