Roadmap, Police Recruitment and CCF Issues, the "Rumours," Andy Haden, Indonesian Crafts, Naitasiri Imatanigasau

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THE ROADMAP. Some readers say no progress is being made on the Roadmap.  This is because they equate "progress" with electoral reform and elections, which are to come later. The misunderstanding could in part be due to the use of the shorthand Roadmap but its full title -- Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development 2009 to 2014 -- is a little cumbersome.

This item (click the hyperlink) outlining the main features of the "Roadmap" was published on this blog over a year ago! Lots of progress is being made on the sustainable socio-economic development front. Check them off against what has been done,  much of which has been published on this blog but not, unsurprisingly, by the anti-government blogs and the overseas media.  So much for their claims to balanced reporting.

POLICE STOP RECRUITMENT. Acting Police Commissioner Joeli Baleilevuka (photo) has stopped further recruitment and suspended transfers.  He said the 3,098 officers is sufficient and stressed that the Force must focus on its core functions. Referring obliquely to his predecessor, he said each member has free choice to exercise his or her own religious belief. Baleilevuka has started meeting all officers in the three divisions to set out new directions, starting in the Southern Division before moving over to the Eastern, Western and finally the Northern Division. The post of Police Commissioner has been advertised in the Fiji Sun by the Public Service Commission.

[At the time of the 1996, the last one I have been able to analyze, there were 2,728 police officers of whom 63% were ethnic Fijian, 33% Indo-Fijian and 9% women. While it is important to recruit according to need and the calibre of applicants, the police ethnic profile needs to roughly reflect society. The Fiji Police Force, more than any other source of employment,  used to reflect this profile. If if does not today, selective recruitment should remain open to ensure that it does. This is not racism; it's commonsense and what one would expect in a democratic society.] 

CCF ON TELENI, AND TELENI'S REPLACEMENT.  Extract from statement by the Citizen's Constitutional Forum: "We felt that the basic human rights principle of the Right to Equality and Freedom of Religion and Belief were endangered when racist rhetoric was allowed to go unchallenged. CCF believes that leaders in state institutions should set a good example to their followers on the basic principles of human rights. Freedom of Religion and Belief is a core human right entitlement which intends to achieve peace and harmony in the world through religious tolerance.

"Now that Teleni has stepped down voluntarily from the post we think that any reappointment to other working places in Government should be made through normal PSC procedures and proper and transparent processes.[It is. See above item.] Due consideration should also be given to the fact that all civil servants and military officers of Fiji need to set a good example to the nation by strict adherence to principles of human rights. "A diverse multi-racial and multi-religious country such as Fiji needs civil servants, and particularly those in position of leadership, who are unbiased towards race and religion." Extract.


CAFE PACIFIC.  I see Cafe Pacific has also  published my rebuttal to Tupuola's coup-within- a-coup" fantasy item published by Pacific Scoop. Thank you, CP.

 STICKY STORY. I see CoupFourPointFive is "still sticking" by its Victor Lal story that the Military Council has told the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, to quit, despite top-level denials. In fact, it claimed both Sayed-Khaiyum and Christopher Pryde, the Solicitor-General also condemned by the Military Council, had already packed their bags, despite them having been seen at work after they were supposed to be no longer at work, and three days later they were still there. The blog  also accepted a comment on its post that 90% of the Military are gay.  What next?  And who cares whether the military is one or  99% gay.

ANDY HADEN'S MESSAGE FOR NZ POLITICIANS. Former All Blacks captain Andy Haden who was in Fiji over the weekend for Air Pacific Celebrity Pro Am golf tournament has a  strong message for politicians back in New Zealand who are not supporting Fiji and its current situation.  Listen to the video.


INDONESIAN CRAFTSMAN TO HELP WOMEN. A collaborative partnership between the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women, and Poverty Alleviation and Indonesia will see the arrival of Mr Supriyono Fransiscus Xaverius to conduct Training of Trainers (TOT) workshops for bamboo, coconut and batik crafting from 6th September to 29th of October.  He will seek to enhance existing skills and more fully utilize natural resources as a means of creating an additional source of rural women's income. It is hoped the new products will sell on local and international markets. The initiative is part of the Roadmap to promote alternative and additional livelihood for women, especially in rural areas.

The two months training will be conducted in four training sessions comprising of 25 women per session. This will produce 100 trainers who will, in turn, train other women in their respective villages and communities. -- Based on 2010 No:1392/MOI.

FOLLOW UP ON THE NAITASIRI IMATANIGASAU.  Two busloads of men and women including chiefs of all 16 Naitasiri tikina (districts) converged at the PM's residence on Thursday evening when the chiefs presented their imatanigasau (traditional apology) for past indiscretions and pledged their support to the Prime Minister and his Government. In return, The PM said he was "very grateful for this gesture...that signifies unity as well as your appreciation of Government’s policies and vision."

“Today is a new beginning for the province and my Government. We should engage often in such forums to discuss issues that will benefit Fiji, especially our future generation. We need to emphasize to our people and children the importance of unity for it is the essence of prosperity. Successful changes will only happen when people are united over a common goal,” the PM said.-- Based on 2010 No:1389/MOI.

The apology was also made on behalf of Naitasiri high chief, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata who is serving a seven year prison sentence after being convicted for conspiracy to murder the Prime Minister. The delegation included Ratu Inoke's wife, Adi Lagamu Takiveikata.-- Based on Fiji Village.