Australia Only Helping Criminals, March Ban Reviewed, Community Self-Help, Bangladesh & Sigatoka,

AUSTRALIA TOLD ISOLATING FIJI ONLY HELPS CRIMINALS.  Solicitor-General Christopher Pryde told Pacific Islands legal officers meeting in Brisbane last week that  Fiji has rejected Australia’s Framework for Law and Justice Engagement in the Pacific because its policy of isolating Fiji and withholding assistance and co-operation meant that proper attention  could not be given to transnational crimes including money laundering and human trafficking.

He said, “NZ, Australia, and the Forum and Commonwealth Secretariats, in particular, need to review their policies of isolation and non-co-operation with Fiji and work for the common good for the whole of the Pacific region and leave aside their political differences." The isolation policy played into the hands of criminal elements in the Pacific.”

The Solicitor-General was also critical that the three day meeting was chaired exclusively by the Australian Attorney-General’s Department. Other member states were consulted to see whether this was acceptable but Fiji was ignored. The S-G said "This type of behaviour which is typical of Australia is not only childish but unprofessional and disrespectful to Fiji as a Pacific island country.

Other countries in the region may have their differences of opinion with Fiji but they still treat Fiji with common courtesy and respect. Australia needs to take a lesson from other Pacific island countries and act in a way that is appropriate for the region.

Unfortunately, episodes such as these serve to highlight Australia’s difference with countries in the region.” He said “Fiji expects more from a country that sees itself as a leader in the region" adding that "Australia’s attitude is singly unhelpful in dealing with issues such as transnational crime in the Pacific region."

The PILON meeting was attended by 12 Pacific Island states, including Fiji, and a number of observer delegations including the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Commonwealth Secretariat.


THREE REVEALING COMMENTS FROM READERS  ON THE MARCH THAT WASN'T.
Comment One. "As a Fijian, I'd much rather believe in Sai Lealea and Pita Waqatairewa than you. They are true Fijians speaking on behalf of those unable to do so in Fiji as a result of the dictatorial and undemocratic rule of those you're only too happy to be singing their praise..." [Well spoken by a truly "true democrat"!]

Comment Two. "... There's not a single business owner in the Suva CBD who wanted this demonstration to proceed. Because we all know what happens when large numbers of i'taukei hit town with the expressed intention of venting their frustration. Whether they're manipulated or not, the memories of the burning and looting of 2000 are still too raw a decade later to countenance anything like this. It just isn't worth the risk ... The SDL was telegraphing that this was a mass revolt in the making. So it's cancelled, end of story, and only those who wanted to cause trouble will be upset." [It's not the "demonstration" I was concerned about; it was the women's march.]

Comment Three: "Government had no alternative than to cancel the march. It could have turned nasty with women and children around. The last thing needed was a legitimate march railroaded by anti- government supporters who could hide in the crowd and cause trouble. It's better to be cautious. No one wins but at least citizens were safe."

BANGLADESH AT NAKASI. In the mid 1970s the Bangladesh settlement at Nakasi, between Suva and Nausori, was one of the squatter settlements I researched for my doctoral thesis. The name was given because of its extreme poverty and squalid conditions. An upgrading project started in 2002 and recently completed now sees a settlement with on-site sewerage, water, electricity, telephones, a sealed road and fire hydrants. And the squatters are no long squatters but tenants with 99-years of tenancy who will pay ground rent to the Ministry of Lands and rates to the Nausori Town Council. The project is a joint effort of Ministry of Lands and Mineral resources, Nausori Town Council, Bangladesh community and the Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment.  Lack of coordination between relevant authorities, the non-involvement of the squatters themselves, and unrealistic standards and conditions, have long impeded site-and-service developments with secure tenure like this. One hopes Bangladesh becomes a model to help solve urban Fiji's burgeoning squatter problem. It represents a win-win situation for all parties. -- Based on 2010, No:2167/MOI.

COST SHARING AT SIGATOKA. Two settlements at Similaya and Tuvamaro community in Sigatoka are also benefiting from state-community cost sharing and self-help.  Once dependent on creek and well water they now have safe drinking water. The communities provided labour and $5,500 and the Department of Multi-Ethnic Affairs contributed $20,000 towards the construction of the two boreholes and water tanks. So far in 2010, Multi-Ethnic Affairs has completed six projects in Sigatoka District costing $51,000. -- Based on 2166/MOI.