N0155. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL claims there has an increase in the number of detentions by the military in the last week. I would be grateful if readers would provide some hard facts (who, when, for how long, why, and why now) on the brief detention of journalist Felix Chaudhry, the arrest of Sam Speight and of other unnamed trade unionists and politicians who have been critical of government. Please distinguish between hard facts, if possible with sources acknowledged, presumed facts based on hearsay, and your opinions. You may reply by commenting on this post N0155 or directly to my email address croz.walsh@xtra.co.nz Please use N0155 in your comment.
N0156. BENEFITS FROM LAND BANK. Five landowning units in Bua Province will receive more than $986,000 in lease money today from the new Bauxite Mine lease in Nawailevu. Lessee Aurum Exploration has agreed that landowners will be given the first preference on unskilled and skilled employment provided they meet the criteria required. Naiwailevu is an example of where the use of the Government's Land Bank brings unused land into production while giving lessors guaranteed rents (and possible employment) and lessees assured long-term tenure.
N0157. IMPROVING POTATO SELF-SUFFICIENCY. Representatives of some 300 potato farmers met in Sigatoka on Wednesday to discuss how to reduce Fiji's import of $19 million worth of potatoes a year to $16 million by next year. Minister for Primary Industries, Joketani Cokanasiga, said: "In order to achieve this goal set in the Strategic Development Plan, 442 hectares will be planted in year one producing 5,300 tonnes. A target of 884 hectares yielding 10,600 tonnes is being earmarked for year two and 1326 hectares producing 15,900 tonnes for year three.” Last year was a trial year. Two varieties were planted on 58 hectares. Some 66 tonnes of Ilam Hardy and 34 tonnes of Red Rascal planted and about 500 tonnes were harvested.
Government has allocated $260,000 under the Food Security Program to plant 133 hectares with an expected yield of 1066 tonnes.Farmers are expected to earn $1.1m from that production level. -- Based on No. 0477/MOI and No.0481/MOI.
N0158. LANGUAGE COMMISSION SUGGESTED. President of the Fijian Teachers Association Tevita Koroi has called for the establishment of an itaukei language commission to help safeguard the itaukei language and the proper usage of its different dialects. He said the media and younger people sometimes mix formal and informal words and expressions that should be used separately for formal and informal occasions.
USP Language professor Dr Paul Geraghty agreed thought a language commission would be useful but the commissioners should be itaukei langauge experts who would suggest and share ideas on ways the itaukei language can be better maintained or promoted.” He also supported Koroi on the idea of setting up a data base to help programming the language into the Microsoft computer system like other vernacular languages in countries overseas. -- Based on 2011, No: 480/MOI.
N0159.TYPHOID UPDATE. Deputy Secretary for Public Health Dr Joe Koroivueta said there was a total of 43 suspected cases from the eight upper Naitasiri villages. "There are no links to any other place in Fiji and the 10 hospitalised cases have been treated and are now at home. -- Fiji Times.
10 comments:
I think, given your rather special access with the PS for 'information' i would love to hear a denial from the interim government.
Croz,
I think Too timid summed the situation up pretty well a few posts back...they said
"It is dangerous to speak out. I know people who have said things sometimes in private conversations who have had to pay a visit to QEB. This is not hearsay this is first hand information.
I mix with business people of all races and none of them will say anything against the regime because to speak out means you or your business will be damaged. That may not be 100% true but it is 100% the perception.
There is fear in this country and it is growing. It is fear and paranoia on the government's side as seen by the questioning of three of the most loyal supporters of the 2006 coup: Rokoului, Pita Driti and Aziz. On the side of the people it is the fear to speak out against the regime.
You may feel that it is a popular government, and in certain sectors it may be. But in the business community it is very unpopular and we are all too timid to speak up.
"It is probably time you paid another trip to Fiji for yourself. This time don't just visit with the Ministry of information and follow their itinerary talk to others. Having said that very few will talk to you because you are seen to be part of the regime.
The reality is that 4 and a bit years later Fiji has a very parnoid military leadership who do not and will not tolerate any decent. It's not clear what you are not alloud to say in other than the general rule which is don't say anything that could upset the commandor/PM or his team. If you do there is a very strong chance there will be response.
Business people have adapted very quickly. Very few are hauled up because they know to shup up or sing the praise of the new military government. Journalists are learning now. A few of the old guard politicians and old world elite are not so quick to learn. Mahen has not learnt but his special relationship (being part of the early military team) seems to keep him out of jail for the time being.
When people are not being taken to the barracks and not being physically assulted it is because people have got the message and got on with life quietly....
It's not healthy to have people, even a small number subject to bashings and it's equally not healthy to have a silenced community who grow used to being able to say nothing. It makes for a complacent government and a stale government without ideas or passion. AND it is certainly no path to true democracy.
Settle down everyone and don't be alarmed. A good bashing every now and then is pretty standard military stuff and given your full support of the military government you should get right behind it Croz. Maybe even suggest a few names that need a good work over. Pitty more people don't use their real names on this site eh ?
Another excuse to keep the PER in place. Remember all the hollow promises about it being removed ?
I don't believe it will be removed until after the election and i foresee then only after the military are given some similar special powers.
This type of power is fun and makes being 'in government' easy. Why would anyone want to gove them up ?
"If you want peace, work for justice"
It cannot be made more plain than this?
@ Hang on a second ... I've not published your comment here because I'm publishing something on this topic on Monday and have heeded and incorporated your views. Feel free to comment again on Monday. Vinaka.
I do not condone bashings and intimidation and this should not occur. However, the police/security forces in every country in the world routinely take people in for questioning when they have any suspision that they have broken the law. Amnesty international are quick to label these occurances as "detentions". Why isn't this labelled as detention by AI when it happens in Australia and NZ? Even in Australia police (or ASIO) have also been known to cross the line in their "questioning" and for beatings to occur.
Currently in Fiji the PER is a law that is in place and lawfully can be policed (I believe it should be removed but this is a separate debate). What is important is if police/army are crossing the line when enforcing the law, and if it is happening, is this due to over zealous police/army individuals or is it systematic due to government direction or poor leadership. Unfortunately Amnesty International, and some bloggers on this site, do not want to analyse this situation deep enough to see if the army/police/goverment are really crossing the line, but would rather use anything they can to further ctritise the governement whether it is justified or not.
@ Get the facts.....
Too true: using anything else in a complex, multi-faceted situation is a recipe ill-suited to any relief. Look now at Libya: civil war is called for by LSE-trained, 'smart' son of the dictator and forty-two year leader. Of what possible benefit it that? More death and destruction to massage an ego? Note how they rail and shake the finger at the global audience. Such arrogance and defiance: much worse than mere paranoia. A soon to be impoverished and chaotic Libya. Note how as of a sudden the international community comes to life. But it has taken more than a week. What have they been thinking of? Did they never ponder such a development in their wildest dreams? More foolish they! In the meantime, thousands die - more will die yet due to the half-crazed but 'mad in craft' ranting of a tyrant turned clown. We must never think that there is nothing for us in all this. A 42 year march of folly laid bare for all the world to see.
Yes but the bashings and intimidation ARE the point. And a 'law'that is arbitrarily applied by a military regime is hardly the same as any country even in the region. This criticism Is justified isn't it?
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