"Why on earth we have allowed ourselves to be painted into a corner on Fiji I have no idea. It would be naive to assume that when some sort of accommodation is reached and the rhetoric has it that we can return to 'normal' relations that relations will return to normal.
It seems to me that both Fijians and a number of Pacific Islands governments and peoples will have watched the reaction to Fiji with a certain unease. New Zealand realises that it gets huge support from the 14 Pacific Islands votes in the United Nations. At the moment Fiji will be absent. Who knows how PNG would vote and there will be one of two others perhaps who may fall into the 'false friends' camp. That is, as I see it."
N0146. FIJIAN 'REFUGEES' SHOULD BE ASHAMED. Fijians who have been rejected as refugees to Australia are now appealing against rulings at a rate second only to Chinese citizens, 11% compared with 29%. Some 243 Fijians applied for review last financial year, compared with 59 the previous year.The number has fallen this year. Of course, the number of appeals is related to the number that have been refused refugee status, and it would seem Australia refuses most Fiji applications.
One wonders why we hear nothing about Fijian refugee applications, refusal and appeals in NZ. One wonders also whether the activities in Australia of Tui Savu and the Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement have scared Australia's ethnic Fijians into really believing their lives would be at risk if they returned to Fiji, or whether the appeals are a last ditch attempt to stay in the land of Oz.
Anti-Government blogs hold the Fiji military responsible for nine deaths, five following the mutiny in 2000 (six years before the Bainimarama coup); the remainder quite unrelated to political activities. Those seeking asylum should note that three former prime ministers, all hostile to the Bainimarama government, walk freely in Fiji. They should pluck up courage and return to Fiji — or at least be honest. Life in Australia is easier. And as one appeal fails, they can appeal again, and again, and their stay is extended for many more months.
N0147. PM ADVISES TAXI UNION. Speaking at the Fiji Taxi Union's AGM, the PM has urged members to come up with a unified position -—like their counterparts in the Fiji Bus Operators Association— to facilitate solutions.
He said Government measures to assist the industry such as concessions on the import of LPG/CNG vehicles, the reduction in duty of vehicles up to 2500cc and the increased focused and resourcing of the Fiji police force, and longer term, policies to increase wages, to grow the economy by way of tourism and robust economic activity will all directly contribute towards increased business activity for taxi operators. Government recognizes the importance of the taxi sector and looks to the Fiji taxi union to co-operate with all the stakeholders to ensure a new look and viable taxi industry that has modern cars and has operators and drivers who are Fiji and customer focused. Bainimarama assured members that Government will work with the union to find fair and creative solutions to address the industry's problems.
N0148. TYPHOID. To put the record straight, The "outbreak" claimed by one anti-Govt blog is confined to the villages of Nasava, Narokorokoyawa, Korovou and Sawanikula in Wainimala, inland Naitasiri. The villages were placed under curfew after ten villagers were hospitalised. The number remains at ten. A major vaccination programme was conducted last year in high risk outbreak areas but villagers still need to practise better hygiene. Health Ministry spokesman Peni Namotu said clinical, environmental and awareness approaches are being used to tackle the problem. Fiji has one of the highest rates of typhoid fever in the region with regular outbreaks occurring mainly in remote areas.
N0149. EMPOWERING RURAL WOMEN. Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Minister Dr Jiko Luveni is on the island of Ovalau this week visiting ten villages where she will listen to women's difficulties and the ways Government can help them. She will inform them of Government’s plans and achievements especially those that relate to them as outlined in the Roadmap for Democracy Sustainable Socio-Economic Development (2009 to 2014).
Her trip is part of Government's outreach programme that is aimed at empowering rural women financially and socially. -- Based on 2011, No:0449/MWSPA.
3 comments:
your life does not have to be at risk for you to claim refugee status. You have to have reasonable fear of persecution and if you speak up , as is your right in Fiji, there is a very real fear.
@ Saras'sista ... You are,of course, quite right but how does this detract from my argument? Qarase, Chaudhry and Rabuka are free to walk the streets of Suva. Am I correct in saying they also continue to receive their pensions? Why should the Australian "refugees" assume they are more important than the three former PMs? Don't you think they just could be using the refugee applications to stay in the land of Oz for reasons that have little or nothing to do with the situation in Fiji?
Croz,
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.
Post a Comment