NZ Earthquake, Treason Trial, Tui Cakau, SDL Offices, Tourism Initiatives, CCF, PER

N0173. EARTHQUAKE CONDOLENCES. The PM signed the condolence book for victims of the Christchurch earthquake at the New Zealand High Commission yesterday. His visit to the High Commission follows his sympathy letter sent to his counterpart  John Key last week.  A formal reply is expected later when one also hopes Fiji's condolences will be reported by the NZ media. Confirmed deaths  from Christchurch now total 155 and could rise to 240. New Zealand's worst earthquake death toll was 256 in Napier on 3 February 1931.

N0174.TAGIVEIKATA TRIAL UPDATE. Monday

N0175.PM TELLS TUI CAKAU NO MORE TALKS.  In earlier talks Ratu Naiqama told the PM to step aside and reconvene the Great Council of Chiefs to appoint an interim government.(see N014).

N0176.SDL PARTY OFFICES SEARCHED. SDL senior executive Mataiasi Ragigia  says police searched the SDL headquarters and the staff was ordered to leave. Ragigia described police manners as aggressive, but “None of us were taken in for questioning. We were just told to leave. They got into the office with a copy of the search warrant and a list of the items they wanted to take. They’re looking for some documents that will lead to some charges being laid against some people.”

The SDL had been distributing an anti-government DVD to Fijian villages as a means of countering growing government popularity among rural Fijians.The SDL claim the popularity is misplaced.

N0177.TOURISM INITIATIVES. The PM said several initiatives, such as the highest ever budget for Tourism Fiji, tourist VAT refunds and a tax free zone, have resulted in a dramatic increase of tourist numbers.

Other initiatives include the participation of i-Taukei landowners as equity holders in hotel properties, the relaxation of foreign investment rules, zero rating of tourism items, duty concessions on tourism related equipment such as jet ski’s, yachts and buses, and the introduction of the Super Yacht Decree.

“The equal distribution of land lease monies from i-Taukei owned lands, the modernisation of our penal code, the upgrading of our roads and water systems and the introduction of the Domestic Violence Decree all have either directly or indirectly and positively impacted properties, new tourism development, problems related to staffing and social justice issues.” Tourism now contributes 31% of GNP; it is a major source of employment,business activity foreign currency earnings. -- Based on No:0517 and 0518/MOI.

N0178. CCF CALLS FOR END TO EMERGENCY REGULATIONS. SUVA (Radio NZ International/Pacific Media Watch): Fiji’s Citizens' Constitutional Forum says the Public Emergency Regulations need to be lifted so proper political dialogue can start. The PER were implemented in April 2009, and were to have been lifted when the media decree came in last year, but were not.

The Forum’s head, the Reverend Akuila Yabaki, says the regulations are an infringement on people’s right to participate in the process of reforming the country’s political process.

“I think government could listen to more ideas. And the people have a right to be heard. There’s no civil unrest and I think you cannot prepare people for a new mode of democracy, without opening up and getting rid of the Public Emergency Regulations.”

Reverend Yabaki says while some good work is being done, it needs to continue.

Note:  I support the call in principle but think the timing unfortunate given the uncertain situation this week, but a clear signal from Government to lift PER soon would do much to reduce the rumours and ease the situation.