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| pn154 |
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I see an item in this morning's Wednesday news that repeats several news items first published in Fiji last week.
It cites Ro Teimumu saying "many Fijians felt left out" because the three chiefly confederacies were not mentioned in the welcome to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and the decision to change from the "traditional" welcome was probably made "high up." Read, Bainimarama and the Fiji First Government.
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
As I reported last Friday (Fiji: Rabuka Aquitted, FICAC Appeal, and other Election-Related News" pn148) the decision was made by Ratu Tevita Momoedonu who headed the 70-member delegation from Vuda that performed the welcome ceremony.
Secondly, he did not apologize for his decision, as Ro Teimumu stated. His apology was conditional: "if their actions had hurt anyone."
Thirdly, all 14 provinces were mentioned. No one was "left out."
It should also be noted that the confederacies are a relatively recent colonial tradition, and the inclusion of Vuda as part of Burebasiga is not accepted by many Taukei (ethnic Fijians) in the Western Division, including Ratu Tevita, who want their own confederacy.
He said Vuda had its "own reasons" for not mentioning the confederacies. Ro Teimumu reinforced her Burebasiga dominance over Vuda by saying he was acting above his "pay grade" if he made the decision,
I understand and can sympathise with Ro Teimumu position on the confederacies. Without them she is only a high chief; with them she is the chief of many chiefs. Ro Teimumu is a SODELPA candidate in the 14 November election. Respect for the confederacies strengthens her traditional —and her political position. And, while she may not be correct in blaming Bainimarama for the omission, he certainly would not displeased.
The NZ media "news" report was incomplete, misleading — and much of it nearly a week late.
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