Fallout from Ratu Tevita’s Defection: Some Media Coverage

 The unabated negative news published by the overseas media, and the total absence of any balanced or positive news, must be affecting the confidence of some readers about the stability of the Bainimaram government and Fiji’s future. That, presumably, is its intention.  Ratu Tevita’s defection is a massive publicity  blow — but it is unlikely to have changed anything in Fiji. He was suspended from the military last October and nothing changed then.  I hold with what I wrote in the previous posting: Ratu Tevita's defection was due to self-interest, not principle, and those in the know in Fiji know this. Here are some other reactions:

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TV1’s Petra Bagust interviews PM John Key (extract. part on Fiji)

Petra:  Our other neighbours Tonga and Fiji, what's your sense of that situation?
John: Yes it's a very interesting position and we're obviously monitoring that quite closely. Tevita Mara is the guy that was Bainimarama's right hand man when he undertook the coup back in 2006, so the fact that he's jumped ship if you like is a very interesting development there. The second thing is New Zealanders might remember his father when he was Ratu Sir Kamasese Mara, so basically this is right up there in the leadership of Fiji. So look we'll continue to monitor it, we're not playing any role in it, it's an issue between ultimately I guess at this stage, Tonga and Fiji, but we are monitoring it.
Petra: Could the situation escalate, might New Zealand need to play a role?
John: We're not thinking that will be the case at this point, I mean it will be interesting to see how it goes, I mean it's always been quite fragile in Fiji and that's the nature of coups they always are. But let's all see how things go, I mean New Zealand's long term position has always been and will continue to be, we want to see democratic elections held in Fiji and we're prepared to offer whatever support is necessary to allow that to take place.

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Trev, a reader, comments.  Read the full comment on the posting.
His(Ratu Tevita’s)  statement makes little sense. He has accused Kaiyum of being some sort of master controlled of everything happening in Fiji and masterminding his arrest …But then he goes on to say that he is: Endowed with no leadership qualities and incapable of understanding the simplest principles of decency and respect... Come on, which one is it - is he a mastermind leader/manipulator, or a terrible leader?
He also complains that he was to be put in jail without the chance to defend himself in court, despite the facts showing that he just went to court and WAS GIVEN BAIL. Kaiyum must really be slipping by allowing his corrupt judicial system let him out so easily.

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NewstalkZB is reporting http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=196727
Victoria University Senior fellow Rod Alley says it's a dynamic development. "I think it's a game changer," he told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking. "This could be the boulder that sets off quite a big landslide in terms of a real big challenge yet to the Bainimarama regime."  
I continue to be amazed at the people consulted as experts by our media.  Rod Alley is not a Fiji or Pacific expert and his only knowledge of the area comes from reading what others write and say.

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The Australian. Click here

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Fiji Live report: A bench warrant has been issued by the Suva Magistrates court this morning for fugitive Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.  The bench warrant is for Ratu Tevita’s failure to comply with his bail conditions that included a weekly report to the Samabula Police Station and the payment of $2,000 for his bail. Ratu Tavita however, did not report to the station last Friday. With the bench warrant now in place for Ratu Tevita, the Director of Public Prosecutions Office is expected to file extradition papers to the Tongan government.

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Confused reporting in Fiji on Protocols
Fiji live wrongly reported: Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano says Tonga has breached its protocols by offering protection to its kinsman Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.
Fiji Village’s correctly reported:  Lord Tu’ivakano said it is an offensive breach of protocol purposely to infer, for political gain, His Majesty’s offer of hospitality to his kinsman Ratu Tevita Mara as an offer of immunity.

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From the Tongan Prime Minister,
“I wish to add my support to the sentiments of friendship and general good wishes contained in the Commodore’s statement but wish to make certain points clear. Fiji’s domestic affairs are her own and His Majesty’s Government has no interest in bringing undue influence.
The right of audience in His Majesty’s Courts without political interference has been a cornerstone of the King’s Peace for over 100 years and there are proper procedures and obligations governing applications for Extradition Orders.
There shall be no obstacle placed before the Fijian Government’s Representatives in Court nor should the accused be denied counsel and the right to reply.
The dignity of Tongan Justice is preserved through Judicial Restraint therefore the discredited indulgence of Judicial Activism which is prevalent in the Courts of some Dominions and Republics is an affront to our Constitution.
It follows therefore, that Tongan Judges are not subject to influence from either the King or His Ministers nor are they encouraged to pass judgments according to their political beliefs.
It is an offensive breach of protocol purposely to infer, for political gain, His Majesty’s offer of hospitality to his kinsman Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba as an offer of immunity.

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