N0150. AUSTRALIA'S SPINNING JENNY. I suppose it was inevitable that someone would look for parallels between events in Egypt and Fiji and I shouldn't be too surprised that Lowy Institute's Jenny Hayward-Jones has taken the bait.
She has the good sense to note that the two countries have "little in common" other than the role of the military but then couldn't stop herself from wondering about the possibility of "a similar popular protest in Fiji." She went on to wonder why there hasn't been a popular uprising, and then wondered what would have happened if there was.
She doubted the army would "fire on the people" but they could use "intimidatory tactics." And if the protest persisted, she wondered whether Cde Bainimarama "would attempt to stare the people down and assure them that he, and he alone, can maintain stability in the country and must be allowed time to enact his reforms to build a better Fiji."
This is all wonder-full poppycock and nonsense that displays how little the Lowy Institute's Melanesian expert knows about Fiji but she does provide one interesting insight, and theree's no more wondering:"The Australian Government would find it all but impossible to restrain from encouraging the demands of the Fiji people for democracy." But she offers little light on what Australia might do that it is not already doing.
How any intelligent, responsible person can possibly think such outpourings are helpful to the Fiji situation at this time defies explanation. But they will be lapped up anti-government people and splashed all over their blogs.
More importantly, it may also influence those in the Bainimarama government who want to maintain the Public Emergency Regulations (PER) to extend them further. With an already hypersensitive military-led government reacting too often to any suggestion of opposition, Hayward-Jones's wonderings can only make life more difficult for those seeking to make helpful criticisms and an accelerated agenda leading to constitutional and electoral reforms, and elections no later than 2014. She should wonder on that. -- Crosbie Walsh.
N0151. CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE. Fiji has joined other countries in expressing support for NZ in the wake of Christchuch's second devastating earthquake. In letter the NZ Prime Minister John Key, Cde Bainimarama said he was "shocked and saddened at the loss of precious lives and damage to property caused by the disastrous earthquake that struck Christchurch again. Our hearts go out to the affected people. We share with the Government and the people of New Zealand, the distress and sorrow, in these challenging times.”
“On behalf of the people and the Government of Fiji and on my own behalf, I would like to convey our heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families and all those who have been affected by the terrible natural calamity.” He has offered Fiji's help in any way NZ thinks appropriate. -- Based on No:0463/MOI.
N0152. ANOTHER CHINA LINK. USP has signed an MOU to establish a Confucius Institute that will teach Mandarin and Chinese culture. It is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
N0153. CITIZENS' CONSTUTIONAL FORUM CEO Rev Akuila Yabaki was in Wellington and Auckland during the week, when he held talks with interested groups. I hope to publish his paper "Fiji 2011: Critical Engagement and Future Scenarios" soon.
N0154. TREASON TRIAL CONTINUES. This is the link to Wednesday's and Thursday's proceedings. And Friday's. Mutiny leader can't remember.
15 comments:
NO150 Did she claim in the article that her purpose was to be helpfull? Are all articles on Fiji supposed to be written on that pretext? I think you forget that Aust and NZ don't have PER.
Croz
Surely you do not support the intimidation and abuse by the Fiji military against those wanting the return of democracy and freedom? These allegations are increasing and such acts, as they are in other dictatorships around the world that are being dismantled, are very disturbing?
Surely people like you, and other coup supporters such as Gates, Pryde and Smith Johns should disassociate themselves from such behaviour?
Rod Ewins
The intellectual poverty demonstrated by Hayward-Jones' piece is sad more than anything. That she should purport to be speaking on behalf of a "think tank" makes one wonder about their definition of thinking.
It seems that some across the Tasman are not much further along. Frank's letter to PM Key was a swift, warm and spontaneous reaching out. There has been nothing on the Fiji Ministry of Information site as to whether PM Key has responded in any way. However I understand from friends in NZ that the media there have consistently failed to include Fiji in lists of countries that have offered help. If this is inadvertant it is unfortunate in light of recent history. If it is an intentional snub, it is ridiculously petty. Let us hope that it is the former, and that it will be rectified in future reports. At a time when NZ needs all the friends it can get, it would be really sad to think they were continuing to fan an animosity of their own creation.
Mr Ewins
I am a Fijian and a friend of NZ? And I do not need you to speak on my behalf. NZ has been, and always will be, friends with the good people of Fiji. However you seem to be unable to differentiate between the current military junta (run by a dictator and unelected)and the people of Fiji? They are two different entities and mutually exclusive.
Mr Ewins, if you want to support a military dictatorship (one that is getting significant press for increasing human rights abuses) then that is your prerogative. But please DO NOT speak on behalf of us who are and always will be friends of NZ. Thank you.
Croz - Time to have a look at your own headings. "Australia's what ifs" - actually Jenny is not speaking for Australia. No more than you speak for New Zealand or Fiji. It is "Jenny's what ifs" or at a stretch the "institutes what ifs".
You do spend a lot of time having a go at everyone elses reporting.
@ Who's ifs ... Thank you for picking me up on this. It was clear in the item heading "Australia's Spinning Jenny" but not in the general heading which I have now changed thanks to you.
@ Fijian friends of NZ ... Why do some itaukei think they are the only ones who should be allowed to speak on behalf of Fiji? Rod Ewins is a fourth generation European Fijian.
According to a family member in the British Army, conditions in Egypt for the ordinary people are atrocious compared to here in Fiji. Our health standards for instance are a cut above the rest in much of the third world. I wonder how much travel experience the author of the article has and how well informed is she on the development projects achieved by the current regime particularly in the remote communities of Fiji hitherto not addressed by previous governments. Her comments ring hollow.
@ Fijian Friends of NZ...
Your tone leaves much to be desired. You are not here in Fiji, one may presume? If you were, your tone might be moderated. Dr Ewins is a Friend to Fijians in Fiji. Consider that for a moment or two. He has every right to be. He was born here just like most Fijians. We value his expertise and interest as an historian and there can be no doubt whatsoever that he has our interests at heart just as he would have the interests of most good New Zealanders. Measured tone is a test of good faith and good will. A test that has stood the rigorous test of time
@ cicero
Your comments and your tone are noted.
Does Mr Ewins live in Fiji, or does he live with Bev in White Beach in Tasmania? That does not indicate a love of the tropics or Fiji to me - a safe protected haven in the apple isle?
And I will repeat what I said, in case it has not been understood: If Mr Ewins wants to support a dictatorship responsible for serious human rights abuses (as clearly articulated in the international press over the last few days) that is his prerogative. I DO NOT support such terrible acts, and Mr Ewins does NOT speak for me and my Fijian friends. We deplore military intimidation and thuggery.
A Confucuius Institute would surely attract more international students to USP. Meanwhile the media in Fiji has not taken the initiative to promote the teaching of Basic Hindi, Fijian, Chinese and other languages. True, compulsory lessons in Hindi and Fijian are being introduced in schools but what about the adult learner? Television in particular can promote language learning and through it better intercultural understanding far more quickly. What could be the reasons for Fiji One not addressing the matter ?
Fijians friends of NZ: I would certainly never have the slightest desire to speak on your behalf, even if I knew who you are. I do not hide my comments behind a pseudonym, so you are able to look up my website and get personal information about me. Who are you? Where do you live? What have you done for Fiji other than rant about the current regime? When you let us have all that information, perhaps you can be taken seriously. But as long as you wear a pseudonym like a stocking mask over your face, why should anyone listen to you? To those kind folk who defended my right to an opinion, thank you. I do not take that right lightly.
@ Kaiba40 ... You provide no link to your website. Please oblige. Vinaka, Croz
I've lost my link...I've lost my link....a bit like sharon and the MOI have lost their tongue.
And kaiba40 is not a pseudonym like bainimarama is not a human rights abusing dictator... duh...??
Sorry Croz, I thought I had sent that last note over my own name again. It used a Google nickname by accident, rather defeating the point of my note. My website is http://www.justpacific.com
Rod
Croz why don't you think for a change instead of just attacking others who put forward different ideas? Jenny doesn't claim to speak for Australia, nor even that think-tank. The opinions are her own, just as yours are your own.
This is why she works for an internationally well respected think-tank and you sprout zero ideas on a 1980s blog.
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