Ovalau Villages Welcome Developments/Charter, Police Up the Ante, Yellow Ribbon Successes

There will be special posting on the Sam Speight detention and the role of Amnesty International NZ tomorrow.

Photo: Lovoni village, Ovalau. Tannis McCartny.
N0165. OVALAU TURAGA-NI-KORO WELCOME DEVELOPMENTS. Village chiefs told visiting  Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Minister, Dr Jiko Luveni, last week of the positive impact government activities were having on their communities.

Usaia Delai of Vuma village said,  “We appreciate what Government is doing in terms of empowering the people in the rural and outer islands through the free text books and bus fares for the school children. This is something we had been hoping for years until now and we thank the Prime Minister and Dr Luveni for the support shown for children’s education and the financial empowerment of women through income generating programmes.”

Vagadaci village chief Isoa Saqacala echoed similar sentiments, saying that their village has descendants of Solomon islands and part Europeans but they all lived together as a family and assist each other. The Vagadaci and Wailailai communities were very pleased with government efforts to assist the poor and vulnerable in the society.

“We are really happy with the efforts and initiatives of the Government to assist the poor and disabled in the community through the bus fare subsidy and food voucher programme." He also thanked Dr Luveni the sewing machines that will enable them to make school uniforms.

Lovoni village chief Vatusaiuasi Rokoyawa recognised the genuineness of the Bainimarama government from day one when it introduced the Peoples Charter document. “ We were confident they would serve us well and that they were results based,” he said.

“ The people of Lovoni support the People's Charter for we are now seeing the developments around the country. Better services, equal opportunities created for all and initiatives by Prime Minister in terms of education for our children, bus fare subsidy for the children and now for the elderly and disabled will surely go a long way in assisting people improve their living standards. These changes speak of the commitment the Government has for its people.” -- Based on No: 499/MSWWPA.

N0166. POLICE UP THE ANTE. Former Prisons Commissioner and new Police Commissioner Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua does not mince words. Speaking at a police parade in Labasa last week he told the police officers to give of their best or find alternative employment.

"The best has yet to be seen and I have a simple definition for the word 'best' and that is honest, hard work. That's what 'best' means so if you can't give it, then you better find an alternative or some other form of employment. The people have yet to see the best of the men and women serving the force in the North."

"Fiji deserves the best from you and me. Fiji wants the best from you and me and Fiji demands the best from you and me. I have received queries from some officers asking me when we will slow down. I told them and I am telling you now that there is no slowing down for the force.

"The force is driven by a different kind of vehicle that has a 24/7 fuel with no reverse gear.The force is driven by the fourth and fifth gears only. It is the running gear, so do know there is no slowing down for us like what happens with other vehicles."

In drawing my attention to this article a reader wrote:

"Bula Croz
This guy is the real deal. A Sandhurst lad and, a true Officer and a Gentleman. The changes he made in the prison system are outstanding - wish he could have stayed on for a few more years. Next time you in Fiji visit Naboro prison and learn firsthand from the inmates. The prison officers are very customer service oriented and efficient as well. But don't let me tell you, find out for yourself the changes Naivalurua has made as Prisons Commissioner under the illegal Government, as the Kiwis and Aussies like to refer to us."

N0167. YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAMME STORY. by Sera Whippy (abbreviated).
New lives have evolved through the Yellow Ribbon awareness campaign. One such case is Jone Calevu of Viseisei Village in Vuda who was a proud supporter of the Western Division's first YR campaign in Lautoka.The Divine Security Firm and taxi owner turned a new leaf in life two years ago after living it hard for seven years. He has five children.

"It is very hard when you come out of prison. Facing society is very difficult because they normally treat us differently. With the inception of the Yellow Ribbon project in 2008 many of us re-offenders saw it as an opportunity to gain a second-chance," said Mr Calevu.

"I know what it feels like to be fresh out of prison with no one there and everyone judging you. I know this and I have felt it and I do not want this to be experienced by those who will soon be released," said Mr Calevu.

He and a few other have formed a group called the Lautoka Yellow Ribbon Association which will be jointly aiding the prison authorities in monitoring newly released inmates. "We want to grab these young people and encourage and empower them to turn a new leaf. There is a chance out there for everyone to make a change for the better," he said.

The PM's Visit to Rakiraki: Ceremonies, Civics and Elections by Dr Chris Griffin

Former USP and Edith Cowan University social anthropologist Dr Chris Griffin explores the cultural intricacies of PM Bainimarama's visits last year to Rakiraki in Ra province, and in doing so sheds a useful light on ethnic Fijian ritual, ceremony and custom, race relations, the causes of coups, and Bainimarama's strategies to end them.

More Detentions? Fewer Potato Imports, Language Commission, Typhoid Update

WEEKEND READING  ♦ Allen Lockington column  ♦ The PM's Visit to Rakiraki: Ceremonies, Civics and Elections by Dr Chris Griffin ♦ A Cautionary Look at Micro-Finance in Papua New Guinea by Ben Havenga and Scott MacWilliam.

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.

Gujarati: Wealth and Poverty

Thoughts from a Reader

During the days of girmit, Gujarati from northwest India came to Fiji as free settlers as  they were British subjects. They came as small traders and craftsmen dealing in jewellery, clothing, shoes and laundry work and many, to set themselves up, borrowed from kin in Gujerat and other Gujerati already in Fiji. Imported articles from India, costing a rupee were sold for a dollar in Fiji, making twenty-fold profits. Within two generations, some once “poor” Gujarati became multi-millionaires. Most other Indo-Fijians arrived in Fiji as indentured or contract labourers (girmiti) and while some of their descendants have done well, many are among the ranks of the poorest people in Fiji.

Government and the People: Three Examples

See the new (Ratu Mara) Quote for the Week in the right sidebar and scan down to the Weekend Reading postings.

GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE. The three items in this morning's posting are about recent Government visits to villages. On the first two it should be noted that the i'taukei sense of politeness and appropriate hospitality sometimes goes a little overboard in thanking people, especially those with power and influence.  This is likely to be a factor here but the message — and the comparison made with previous governments — is so often repeated in so many villages that it cannot all be hyperbole. 

Government really is doing things at rural grassroots level and its work seems to be winning support. I attempted to show the relationship between such happenings and the Roadmap in my Weekend Reading article on the Roadmap.

N0062. NOTHING WILL STOP THE 2014 ELECTIONS. Yet another group of villagers has urged the PM not to hold elections in 2014. When this happened before the PM used it to illustrate people's satisfaction with his Government. Predictably, this was then taken by his opponents to show he was not serious about elections. This time there can be no misinterpretation.

At the breaking ceremony for the construction of two bridges and the Wailotua-Nayavu Roadin Wainibuka tikina last week  the local spokesman said his vanua were happy with the development work undertaken by government and they wanted the current government to continue to lead the country after 2014. In reply Bainimarama thanked the vanua for their confidence but said that nothing would stop his government from holding "good and fair" elections in 2014.

N0063. THIS GOVERNMENT IS DIFFERENT. Something similar happened when Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni visited Naganivatu village in Naitasiri province to donate sewing machines to the village women just before Christmas.

Ulaiciri Tuvotu, the Turaga ni koro (village head), said they were touched by her visit.  “This is the first time for any Minister to visit us and we are very happy with the sewing machines for the development of women in this village. The machines will provide income for the women and especially we thank the Minister for taking out time to come and visit us to see the problems we are facing in this area.”

“We are thankful to the Government and the Government officials who visit us. Not like the government in the past, they never visited us but with this Government it is not only helping the people with road, bridge, hospitals and good housing, but also assist in everything to improve the lives of the people in the rural areas, especially in the Naitasiri province.  The Government has really shown what it says it does. We are thankful for the People’s Charter through which people are assisted in farming, education, health and transport. The poor people are now being heard and recognized.”

Women’s coordinator Mrs Taraivina Tamani said: “We are so happy with the Minister’s presence here today. This is history for the village as this is the first time for any minister to visit us. Most of the time women are fishing and now these sewing machines will provide an alternative source of income. School uniforms are our first priority and with these machines we will save money to make our own clothes. -- Based on 2011, No: 0155/MSWPA.

N0064. SITTING, TALKING AND LISTENING. Last year government officials visited each of Cakaudrove's 15 tikina (districts)  and all major villages to inform people of government's plans and listen to their ideas and concerns.  This year visits, starting next month, will target the chiefs and village stakeholders in each of the tikina to help familiarise them with the policies of the Government and the Taukei Affairs Board. Topics for discussion will include good governance, improvement in the standard of living, utilisation of natural resources and the general wellbeing of the people. The Roko Tui Cakaudrove, Ro Aca Mataitini,said "We all sit and discuss how we can tackle the problems of the people in villages and what the Government wants."

The Kaunitoni Migration

Recent discussion on the need for I'taukei to revisit their myths and traditions written by outsiders makes this 1966 article by Peter France of special interest. My apologies for the crude reformatting from the pdf format.

This note from a reader : "France explains politely but devastatingly that the myth began not in Fijian prehistory but with the missionaries Carey and Fison, and was brought to full flower... as a result of a competition in Na Mata. Fijians, as we know, are great story-tellers, and the challenge of a competition would have certainly brought forth the highest flights of fancy they could muster. Lutunasobasoba (another myth) and the Kaunitoni story was the result. I don't think it is mentioned in the France paper, but somewhere not long ago I read that the person who won the competition was none other that Basil Thomson's own clerk - mission educated and also used to his boss's ruminations about voyages."

Air Pacific Be Wary, China 'No Good' for Pacific, Aziz & FHL, Bus Fare Help Criticised, Japanese Aid

N0055. QANTAS QUERY. Qantas, which owns 47% of Fiji's national carrier Air Pacific,  has invited Government, that owns 51%, to buy it out so that it may concentrate on it budget airline Jetstar. Government is still considering the offer.

While not privy to the intricacies of the issue (Qantas apparently has veto powers on some matters) my gut feeling would be to leave well alone. Government has the controlling share in Air Pacific and seems to have little to gain from taking on more debt. Further, retaining Qantas's financial interest in the airline —at no cost to Government and considerable cost to Qantas— is a handy card to have and hold. Present arrangements should not prevent the intended rationalisation processes and restructuring to ensure Air Pacific's continuing competitiveness.


N0056. CHINA 'NO GOOD' FOR PACIFIC. The Director of the Melanesia Program at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Jenny Hayward-Jones believes China is no longer a force for good in the Pacific due to its activities in PNG and Fiji.  Listen to the ABC interview.


N0057. CHINA AWARDED CONSTRUCTION JOBS. China Railway First Group has been awarded the contract to build bridges at Naqia and Balekinaga  and a nine kilometre road from the Wailotua to Nayavu stretch at Wainibuka in Tailevu. The existing bridges on King's Road (that together with Queen's Road to west circles Viti Levu) have been labelled death traps. The project is funded by the Asian Development Bank at a cost of over F$22 million should be complete by the end of the year.

N0058. AZIZ AND FHL. BrigGen Aziz Mohammed, a government nominee and deputy Chairman of Fijian Holdings Limited since June 2008  has resigned from the FHL for personal reasons. The Ministry of I-Taukei Affairs is expected to name a replacement soon. [Whatever the reason, the fewer changes the better.  Each one gives extreme anti-govt people more grist for their imagination.]

N0059. FREE BUS FARES CONTINUE BUT BLOG CRITICISES. Nearly 95,000 children whose parents combined incomes was under $15,000 benefited from Government's $12m free transport assistance last year, and another $12m is budgeted this year. School children in all nine education districts are eligible, including those who travel to school by boat. -- 2011, No: 0133/MOI. In another announcement the Education Ministry said that e-tickets that contain the student’s name, his/her identification number, the issue and expiry dates of tickets, the bus stages where tickets are to be used and the subsidy given should be ready by Term II. --2011, No: 0136 /MOE.

Bus fare coupons for Term I have been supplied to District Education Offices for distribution to schools but since this will take some time to accomplish  parents have been asked to pay their children's fares for the first week of school.

This announcement led the anti-blog FijiToday to criticise Government under the heading Twelve Months after "Free Bus Fares" are announced parents are stung with having to pay bus fares at short notice. I would agree with their suggestion that a better choice would have been for Government to pay a bulk fee to the bus companies for this period if the coupons were for all children which they are not.  Only those whose parents earn under $15,000 are eligible.

Once again, we see an ungracious nitpicking.  The blog did not applaud  the Government's free fares in the first place; they never mentioned that the previous government never had free bus fares;  but now, with a distribution glitch in the system, they seek to lampoon a genuine attempt by the present government  to help the poor.

N0060. FREE TEXTBOOK DELAYS. Schools resume next week but free secondary school textbooks will probably not be ready for distribution until Term II because some of the books are still being written.  Last year $1.5m was allocated to provide textbooks for the primary schools but the allocation of $600,000 for secondary schools was insufficient. With some $12m needed, it was decided the only affordable option was for  Curriculum Development Unit officers to write the textbooks. Books for technical and vocational subject are now written and the Ministry is waiting to receive printing tenders, but books for academic subjects will take longer.
-- 2011, No:0117 /MOI.


N0061. JAPANESE DEVELOPMENT AID. The recently opened new water supply system at Lawaki village in Tailevu is one of 13 projects funded by the Japanese Government in its 2010-2011 commitments. The project, which includes a dam, two 5000 litres water tanks and water pipes that carry the water 7km to the village, replaces a 1962 installation that could no longer meet the demands of an increasing village population.

Ambassador Yoshizawa said his Government was committed to the Official Development Assistance policy promoting development to grassroots people and with the modern facilities in place, Lawaki people can now enjoy drinking water from a hygienic safe system. --Based on 011, No:0132/MOI.

WEEKEND READING ♦ Allen Lockington column ♦ The Kaunitoni Story by Peter France ♦ Why the Roadmap by Croz Walsh

Potato Import Substitution, Grassroots Governance and Rural Shops, I'taukei Defined, Thai-Poosam

N0039. POTATOES IN FIJI'S LITTLE ISRAEL. When Jews set up kibbutz (agricultural villages) in British Palestine from  the early 20th century until the 1950s, they turned land only fit for grazing into highly profitable farms.  In a smaller way this is what is happening at Tadravula near Seaqaqa in Vanua Levu.

There 1,600 acres of land, previously owned by the then Native Lands District Commission that had been idle for 20 years, is being turned into a large integrated vegetable and fruit farm that will produce potatoes as its major crop. The farm is being operated by an Australian company Farm 2 UFresh Fiji Limited that so far has sunk $2 million into the project.

Managing director Aaron Sharma said they are planting 25 acres of potatoes every week and will soon harvest the same amount in a sustainable system to ensure continuous supply. Sharma hopes to harvest more than one million kilograms in a year.

The farm is seen as a major player for import substitution, and part of government's intention to ensure that all available idle land is brought into production.

N0040. RURAL SHOPS,  many little more than stores serving only one village, require a licence to open, and the price of licences has gone from $30 a few years back to $200 today. 

During a talanoa session with the PM last week villagers in Veinuqa, Namosi, complained this was too much but all their complaints had fallen on deaf ears.  They'd merely been told the $200 now covered all essential services such as the National Fire Authority. It didn't seem to matter that a fire engine could not get to the village and even if it could the whole village would be in flames before it arrived.

The PM has asked the Commissioner Central and the Provincial Development permanent secretary to look into the matter with the authorities concerned. The villagers hope to open a shop in the near future. -- Based on 2011, No:0071 /MOI.

N0041. ITAUKEI MUST DEFINE THEMSELVES.  Institute of Indigenous Studies CEO Emitai Boladuadua has called on itaukei to be educated in their history, culture and language or run the risk that "others will define who we are and what we are ...  We have continually seen ourselves as others did. We have yielded and ceded to them the authority as well as the legitimacy to define us. We need to act now [to change this], he said, drawing particular attention to the need to reinforce the i'taukei worldwide view about the centrality of relationship and reciprocal obligations. Head of the Institute's Academic Unit, former USP university lecturer and deputy PM in the short-lived Chaudhry government, Dr Tupeni Baba said: “We need to repair and rediscover our place in our land. We cannot change the past. however, we can correct and repair the damage that has been done to our culture and identity.”

N0042.VAARSHIKA THAIPOOSAM THIRUNAAL. Thousands of Hindu devotees  gathered at the Sri Siva Subramanya Swamy Temple in Nadi to celebrate the 85th annual Vaarshika Thaipoosam Thirunaal yesterday. The ten-day celebration is expected to attract devotees from around the country and from abroad. People of all races and religions are welcome to take part.

Vaarshik Thai-Poosam Thirunaal is a time of fasting and meditation when devotees show their respect for the Hindu god of war, Subramaniam, who symbolises the victory of good over evil. The festival takes place during the 10th month of the Tamil calendar, which is called Thai and on the day the full moon passes in front of the star, Poosam.

Devotees carry the karvadi (a burden in which a load is tied to the ends of a pole and carried over the shoulders) but many have gone beyond the simple burden and in return for a blessing, they pin themselves with silver needles, long metal spikes and fish hooks. A Thai-Poosam devotee purifies himself by months of a vegetarian diet, and abstinence from alcohol, cigarettes, sexual activities and other forms of contamination. Only after the prayers, does he return to a normal life.

Jone Baledrokadroka's Ideas on Legitimacy, Negotiation and Mediation

Opinion by Crosbie Walsh

Photo: Jone Baledrokadroka.

 I quote Jone Baledrokadroka, a former senior RFMF officer now living in Canberra with a scholarship to ANU, writing in CoupFourPointFive:

Namosi Visit QEB, Taveuni Road, Long Outdated Penalties, Child Labour, Education and Poverty, Wage Increases

NEWS SUMMARY. Today's news items show —  Namosi supporting Government, an appeal to Taveuni farmers to take advantage of a new road, the updating of exchange control penalties unchanged for 30 years, work to eradicate child labour and government's related efforts on education and poverty. There's also some good news for the police, nurses, builders and the economy.

Photo: Joske's Thumb and Namosi Highlands from Suva Harbour. Panoramio.com

NAMOSI GIVES PM 'CHRISTMAS PRESENT'. Some 200 Namosi people led by former SDL politician the Turaga na Tui Namosi, Ratu Suliano Matanotobua, visited the QEB yesterday to express support for Government and the military.

Receiving them, PM Bainimarama likened their visit to an early Christmas and New Year’s blessings. He thanked the vanua of Namosi for its continued support and took the opportunity to stress the importance of choosing the right people to lead the country after 2014.

“Everyone need to know the People’s Charter for Change Peace and Progress which entails government’s commitment towards a truly democratic government and elections process,” he said. “We do not want a corrupt Government coming in. We want every citizen of this nation to get the fruits of their labour in every little way they contribute.”

The PM also apologized to the vanua for government services that had been slow in reaching them. “We also would like to seek your patience if government services have not been to your expectations. He said government was people-focused and its intensions were directed at improving the living standards of ordinary citizens.  -- Based on 2010, Nos:2184 and 2182/MOI.

TAVEUNI, FIJI'S GARDEN ISLAND: INFRASTRUCTURE MUST PAY OFF. Government has been investing heavily in roading and other infrasture developments in the expectation that it will result in increased agricultural produce, especially from remote rural areas, and so bring jobs and regular income for the producers, increase marketable foodstuff,  and make Fiji less dependent on many food imports. The success of the plan rests on farmer outputs.

In opening the new $900,000 Ura–Soqulu Road on Taveuni island, Minister for Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Cde Timoci Natuva appealed to farmers to raise their efforts beyond subsistence level. The Minister said Government was playing its part. It was now up to farmers to perform their part by contributing more to boost the economy through greater farming efforts. To be commercial, attitudes on  proper time management need to change. “You need to use time better and that would mean that you will need to treat farming like any other job where you need to clock in on time. If urban workers leave for work at 6am or 7am farmers will need to behave similarly.”

Taveuni accounts for around 90% of Fiji's dalo exports worth about $21m last year, and the new road links communities in the main dalo growing area. It is hoped that huge container trucks can load dalo directly from farms in these areas for export. This should significantly reduce travelling costs and thereby farmer’s cost of production. -- Based on 2010, No:2177/MOI.

PENALTIES FOR EXCHANGE BREACHES.Government has approved changes to the Exchange Control Act that will see see fines and penalties that have not been changed for "more than three decades." The new fines of up to $500,000 and a maximum prison term of up to 10 years are expected to improve compliance, and will assist the Reserve Bank in reconciling export receipts. Exporters are urged to contact the Bank if they have any questions. -- Reserve Bank Press Release.


CHILD LABOUR: GOVERNMENT'S EDUCATION AND POVERTY EFFORTS. Government's aim is to eradicate child labour, said Ministry of Labour Permanent Secretary Taito Waqa speaking at the official launch of the Child Labour Research and Actions Programmes in Suva yesterday. He listed government initiaties taken towards this goal which included fee free education, the abolishment of external examinations in primary and lower secondary schools, free transport to students who qualify under a means test, provisions of education facilities to non-government schools and the creation of the parallel skill board for Technical Vocational Education Training in schools.

Child labour is often related to poverty and in this area government had several poverty alleviation policies in place. The Budget allocation for assistance towards poverty alleviation in 2011 had been increased to $70 million compared to $54m in 2010. The allocations of free bus fare and food voucher programmes are $12 and $11m respectively with a cash grant of $40 to $60 per child per month will be paid in respect of orphans.

This was in addition to Family Assistance Allowance of $60 to $100 per month, electricity subsidy of $3.5m, housing assistance of $10m and a tax threshold of $15,000 with Government’s commitment to establish a minimum wage for the first time by 2012.

 “These poverty alleviation policies and programmes are aimed at providing social protection and security for all categories of the poor, including children,” he said.-- Based on 2010, No:2192/MOI.

BUILDINGS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH. The value of building permits issued is an often used indicator of economic growth. Figures released by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics indicate that economic recovery could be on the way. For the first six months of this year the value of permits issued was $61,804 compared with $48,754 for similar periods in 2009 and $13,114 in 2008.-- Based on 2010, No:2168/MOI.

POLICE AND NURSES have been given a nice Christmas present with increases in salary backdated to January 2009 for police and a 3% increase backdated to January 2010 for nurses. Increases for other civil servants will be considered later.-- Based on 2010, No:2188/PSC.

WEEKEND READING. ♦ Allen Lockington Column ♦ 'Eakalafi Moala and Baroness Onora O'Neill on Media Freedom ♦ Graham Reid's third and final article on his Fiji visit ♦ Fr Barr on NZ Aid and Neo-Liberalism  ♦ The intended article on the Budget will probably be again deferred due to an extra game of golf this week — and the celebration of my first hole-in-one!

Race, Racism and the 2014 Election

By Crosbie Walsh

In the relatively moderate anti-government blog FijiToday a Pita Massam writes to publisher Peter Firkin  raising interesting questions on race, racism, legislation and the 2014 elections.

Pita writes about an IndoFijjian business friend who says he can think of no one who would be acceptable to both i'taukei and IndoFijians as prime minister. "Both Qarase and Chaudry are way too polarised to be allowed to stand and the PM has promised to exclude them anyway."

Further, his friend doubts any "village Fijian would vote for a “Mongoose” and that is 30% of the total vote. No Settlement Indian would vote for a “Tu” and that is 18% of the population."

"He proposes a question to ask to gauge the level of racism bred into the current population. Would you be happy if your daughter married a Fijian or Indian? He believes that an almost 100% of parents would say “no way.” This will not change in the six years as proposed by the current Government. So if we do get to have an election in 2014 it is impossible that it will be non racial and even the most non political Indians see themselves worse off than before 2006."

The friend thinks "that the current administration has the right policies about non-racial schooling and the next generation is the first opportunity for advances towards a non-racial society [but] irrespective of what dreams the current administration has, racism is way too alive and well in Fiji and the majority Fijian vote will own the next parliament."

Many people probably share these views. At first glance, they seem so obvious but a closer examination is needed. First, it is important not to confuse race with racism. There's no way any legislation anywhere will be able to change people's race, so to this extent the 2014 elections will not be non-racial. But society can put structures in place to reduce hostility and suspicion between races and take actions against institutional racism.  Individuals and groups, of course, may still be racist but the opportunities to treat other races unfairly or unjustly will be very limited by removing institutional racist structures. It is important not to confuse individual or group racism with institutional racism.

Of course, parents may still prefer their children to marry within their own race, or religion or social class. This is entirely natural, but it is only racism when the parents seek to prevent marriage to an otherwise suitable son- or daughter-in-law because of their hatred towards or unreasonable suspicion of the "other" race. And voting for an MP is nowhere near as intimate or permanent as choosing a marriage partner!

Pita's friend correctly says racism is alive and well in Fiji and cannot be "killed by legislation." But institutional racism can be killed and race relations improved.

The next four years, with ongoing institutional and infrastructural reforms, the new Constitution and Electoral reforms, should see Fiji go a long way to ensuring that race is pushed to the sidelines of  politics, and that when the election is held parties will be formed around policies and issues, not race.

Most MPs, the PM and the President after 2014  will probably be i'taukei simple because most people in Fiji are i'taukei. This should not be an issue, but if it is, the Deputy PM and Vice-President could represent other races. The bigger parties at least will be multi-ethnic, and structures will be in place to prevent a return to the race-based and often racist politics and legislation of Fiji before the 2006 Coup. Among most educated people, the race of the country's leaders will be far less important than the quality of their leadership. And given more time, most people will think the same. "By their deeds [and not their faces] ye shall know them."

There is, of course, always some doubt about future outcomes. None of us can predict the future. But if Peter, Pita and his IndoFijian friend want the kind of Fiji I think they want, I'm sure their best option is to keep the Bainimarama regime — for all its many warts and imperfections —  honest to the principles of the People's Charter and on track to elections in 2014. The alternative, the so-called "return to democracy,"  proclaimed by the racists in the extreme anti-government blogs is too frightening to think about.

Fire at Fiji Museum by Roderick Ewins

The Fiji Times ran this very brief piece on Tuesday November 16.
"A 25th anniversary celebration almost wiped out our 200-year history at the Fiji Museum on Friday night. A fiery dance group of teenaged girls and boys were performing a fire-dance when kerosene they were using spilt on to the floor and burst into flames in front of guests as well as the Ra Marama replica that stood not more than 15 metres away. The dancers attempted putting the fire out with water but induced the "chemical fire". Intoxicated guests rushed in and helpedput the fire out."

Some of the blogs have been a little less guarded.

Getting Too Close to Bainimarama

Scroll down to today's regular posting.

After Sanctions What?

By

Scott MacWilliam

There is a serious danger in the maintenance of sanctions against the current government of Fiji which needs to be recognised and examined. There are very strong signs that the radical ethnic nationalists have recognised well in advance of the Australian and New Zealand governments that the way to drive future changes and regain power is to get close to PM Bainimarama.

Fiji Not a Lousy Place to Live, EU Mission Report, Economic Update, IMF Wants VAT Increase, Two Chiefly Forked Paths

VISIT THE RECORD 37 COMMENTS TO YESTERDAY'S POSTING. 

SEE NEW QUOTE OF THE WEEK IN THE RIGHT SIDEBAR.

FIJI HIGHER ON HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX. With the deluge of recently reported world indices, each of which has shown Fiji to be a lousy place to live, it is pleasing to see the recently released 2010 UNDP Human Development Index report shows Fiji has improved its ranking from 108th out of 169 countries to 86th. The composite index is widely regarded as the most meaningful measure of the quality of life because it takes into account factors such as life expectancy, education, gender equality, income and income equality.  The HDI has been used since 1990 as an alternative or supplementary measure of national development, until then measured solely by economic criteria such as Gross National Product (GNP), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and rates of economic growth.

Norway ranks number one in the world as the best country to live followed by Australia and New Zealand. Countries more comparable to Fiji, and their 2010 ranking, include Jamaica 80, Tonga 85, Maldives 110, Fed.States Micronesia 103, Indonesia 108, South Africa 110, Timor Leste 120, Solomon Is 123, PNG 137. Download the 2010 Report by clicking here.

EU MISSION ENDS VISIT. Last year Fiji lost its status as a fish exporter to the EU after their officials found deficiencies in Fiji's quality inspection authority. The situation is now thought to be rectified and Fiji hopes to again export fish to EU countries. Fiji's Solander Fishing Company has spent heavily on fixing its ships and five have now been classified as A-grade. In 2007, Fiji's total canned and frozen fish exports were worth around $100million, $3m more than the year before. For their overall report click here.

OVERALL ECONOMIC UPDATE. The Reserve Bank has announced that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth projection of 1.8% for 2010 is expected to be revised downwards due largely to declines in the agriculture sector, especially sugar. Weak performances were also experienced in transport, storage & communications, health and social work, real estate and business services and the community, social and the personal services sectors. The only industries that contributed positively through higher export values to this year’s growth so far were tourism, gold, timber and fish. Inflation fell to 1.1 percent in September, a marginal decline from 1.2 percent in August.The 2010 inflation forecast has been revised down to 4.0 percent.

IMF WANTS VAT INCREASE.The International Monetary Fund has recommended that VAT rates be increased in order to contain fiscal deficits and ensure a sustainable level of public debt which, at about 73% of GDP, constrains government's ability to cushion the economy against future shocks. So far Government has refused to increase VAT because it places a disproportionately heavy  burden on the poor who, unlike the better-ff,  have little to no discretionary expenditure.

TUI NAMOSI AND RO TEIMUMU. Former SDL Minister and Namosi high chief Ratu Suliano Matanitobua  says the December 2006 Coup has happened and it is time to move on. He said he has left the events of the past in the past and he knows his people will suffer if  he continues to work against government. He says he has made the decision for the sake of his people. He is calling on his people to support government and help move the country forward.

Ratu Suli's comment, made at last week's Provincial Council meeting, is ambiguous. He is calling for his people to support Government but seems to be doing so only because he thinks that if they don't, they'll miss out on development money. As far as I know there is no instance of this having happened to any province. If accurately reported, one wonders whether his approach is the same as that of Ro Teimumu who also last week welcomed Government's development work in Rewa province but continued to oppose the government in every other way.

Several government initiatives, including the Land Use Decree and the equal distribution of land lease money, will see chiefs, who used to take a bigger share, more than somewhat out of pocket. I wonder how many chiefs are playing liu muri.

Leweni's 'Ghost,' Commerce Commission Backpedals, Sugar, Tourism, Sophie Foster, India Gift, Fiji Democracy Now

REMINDER. Anonymous and repetitive comments are not published.

LEWENI BACK. Well, well, another anti-government blog rumour has proved to be untrue.  LtCol Neumi Leweni really did go on leave as the Military claimed. He was not dismissed as the blogs claimed. He will resume duties with the Fiji Military Forces next Monday. This is in line with statements previously made by the Prime Minister, that any Military Officer  seconded to serve in the Government would return once they have completed the duties they were assigned. Since 2006 LtCol Leweni has at various times served as Consular to the Fiji Embassy in China and more recently as the Permanent Secretary of Information and Permanent Secretary of Lands.  -- Based on 2010, No:1866/MOI.

COMMERCE COMMISSION BACKPEDALS. The Commission has readjusted the prices of basic food items resulting in an average reduction of 9% compared with the 13% when the reduction was announced last week. More expensive food items and those that have no substitutes have been removed from price control.The new prices will be advertised soon.

It would appear the revised prices are a result of pressure by retailers that saw some of them removing essential food items - including babies milk powder - from their shelves in defiance of the law. It is good
news that a government agency listens and takes note of business opinion but retailers were extensively consulted before the original price ruling.  They should not be rewarded for flouting the law at considerable inconvenience to the public. The announcement of spot fines and warning on hoarding stock comes a little late.

It is noted that a similar strategy was employed earlier in the year by employers who protested the minimum wage ruling. Many refused to cooperate by making their accounts unavailable to the Wages Council and then protesting they would be bankrupted if they were forced to pay the minimum wages. Soon afterwards Government delayed the new  ruling. We've heard vague rumours of replacing regulated wages with production-related wages but for the most part the minimum wages have still not been paid.  This is not helping the poor. This is not the Roadmap. Businesses cannot be allowed to continue "playing wolf" and blackmail Government.  They should cooperate with government to see they make fair profits, their employees are paid fair wages and their customers pay fair prices.  In the long run this will make Fiji a safer place for their businesses and investments.

RO TEIMUMU HAPPY WITH INCENTIVES. The Head of the Burebasaga Confederacy, Ro Teimumu Kepa, has welcomed incentives by the interim Government, saying this could help the indigenous population in many ways. Speaking from Lomanikoro Village, Ro Teimumu said that she was quite impressed with the interim Government’s concept by making Vanua Levu and the Maritime islands a tax free zone. She said this would not only bring investors to the country and provide jobs.“These incentives have some good plans for the indigenous people and I’m quite happy about that. Landowners along the tourism belt will also benefit a great deal from these incentives because there are some good deals in there." She did, however, express disappointment that there had not been an increase in the Education budget.

FIJI STOPS SUGAR EXPORTS. Fiji will no longer export sugar to the Pacific Region and NZ until at least 2015. It is all needed to meet its export quota to the United Kingdom under preferential prices of the Economic Partnership Agreement. Some 190,000 metric tons of raw sugar are required for the 2010/2011 season. In 2008 Fiji exported 207,575 tons, but in  the 2009 season UK exports dropped to 152, 906 tons.

TOURIST EARNINGS JUMP.Gross earnings from tourism for 2/2010 increased by 26.8% over 2009 ($229.7m, an increase of $48.5m)largely due to 18.4% increase in visitor numbers. Australia and New Zealand dominated contributions towards the earnings, injecting $116.7m and $35m respectively.The US contributed $19.9m; Pacific Island countries $13.7m, Continental Europe $10.6m, the UK $9.5m,the rest of Asia $9.3m, while Japan, Canada and China contributed $3.9m, $3.7m, and $3.3m respectively. Source:  Bureau of Statistics.

SOPHIE FOSTER, deputy editor the Fiji Times and an outspoken government critic,  has resigned and will move to Australia.

GIFT FROM INDIA. The Education Ministry has thanked the Government of India for a donation of $158,200 that will be used to purchase and install water tanks in 93 primary and 43 secondary schools, most of which have been adversely affected by either dry spells or water cuts. A notation  “Gifted by the Government of India” will be tagged or painted on the tanks in acknowledgement of the gift. -- Based on 2010,1863/MOE.

A LAUGH FOR THE WEEKEND.  'Know your enemy' is a saying derived from Sun Tzu's The Art of War. Here are two insights intro the minds of two anti-government people who think they are also my enemy. 

"Croz Walsh Wrong (big time)Yet Again by Fiji Democracy Now

"Forgive us for boasting, but we backward  coconuts at FDN believe we are becoming remarkably sophisticated in our analysis of that genius, the colonial super-educated Kai Valagi, Crosbie Walsh, and what makes him tick. We surmise that years ago Croz suffered a nasty knock-back when he applied for tenure at a major Australian university. Why else would he hate Australia so much? Just look at his most recent effort. He claims the US Secretary of State will give Australia a good talking to over its policy towards China. What rubbish! And on exactly what premise does Croz base this ludicrous claim? Well, he uses a link to a propaganda rave from the widely discredited World Socialist Web Site! Typical! If Croz tuned into the ABC and listened to Hillary Clinton praising Ozzie foreign minister Kevin Rudd’s vast China expertise, he might (just might) have realised what an idiot he has made of himself, yet again."

Or try this, a comment on my blog: "Keep trying croz - keep trying. You could always beat your head against a concrete post - might be easier? Perhaps you could try selling the Burma or North Korea coup? They might be easier?"

These are not untypical comments from the anti-government blogosphere.   I try to answer most comments addressed to me but in cases like these that are personal, factually incorrect and devoid of argument a reasoned reply is not possible.

Faster Way Forward, Water, New Judge, Hillary Clinton, Forum Secretariat Blocks Report, Military Stand Firm, Consumers Pleased, Church & State

THE WAY FORWARD: COMMENT OF THE WEEK. Seize The Moment has left a new comment on your post "Brij Lal's Book on Jai Ram Reddy":  

"Transition, you are absolutely right and the wonder is that the regime isn't moving faster on at least some of these fronts, even to give an appearance of progress. Little of what you suggest (see below)  is difficult.

"Even a little window dressing like formally calling for submissions for a national body to prepare for 2014 would give the regime something to show the international community.

"I know that elements within the regime are pressing for the lifting of the PER but this is being resisted at senior level. Why? They're waiting to see how the Fiji Times evolves under its new ownership and are still concerned about the general level of mischief making, like the rumours of Drita and Mara confronting the PM.

"The regime has been trying very hard to get more civilians to take up official roles. I know several people who've been approached and were obliged to politely decline because they simply couldn't be barred from Australia and NZ on personal grounds.

"But you're right. The regime needs to seize the initiative and show that it's serious about meeting its commitments. Maybe it's a question of resources. The regime is certainly more focused right now on better service delivery for ordinary people in Fiji than effectively selling its message abroad.

Transition said... " Croz, I agree with most of the points above. This is exactly why: 
1. The work on a new constitution, election reform and dialogue must start earlier than 2014;  
2. The PER must be lifted now;
3. We need to see the military step back from civil roles (with good people stepping in) .

"Otherwise we will try and go from a controlling, censored dictatorship to democracy in a year and it won't work."

CLEAN WATER FOR ALL FIJI: NEW WATER TREATMENT SETUP. The Water Authority is urging government to purchase 50 water treatment plants costing $115m instead of the six plants presently planned for the same price. FWA chief executive officer Tony Fullman said the standalone WetSep system was a more feasible alternative to the construction of the three water and three sewerage plants planned.  They will cost no more; be able to service a much wider area; they are environmentally friendly (they use solar power, treated waste is returned safely to the environment, and they will help reduce the country’s fuel import bill). Further, they will take only two years to install instead of six, and will use an area the size of a car park compared with the 15 acres required by standard treatment plants.Fullan said, “It requires minimum maintenance. We can hook it up in any village, any island and we can serve up to 10,000-20,000 people and that covers most of our islands. If we are going to go with this system, I think within 18 months, we can get the whole population of Fiji covered.” The system, invented by Waste Water Technologies Limited based in Singapore, will be trialled by WAF next year. -- Based on 2010 No: 1825/MOE.

NEW JUDGE SWORN IN. Puisne Judge Justice Graham Cottle has joined the High Court Criminal Division bench. He was appointed a UK Circuit Judge in 1993 and authorised to try serious sexual, murder and manslaughter cases. From 1995 to 2000 he lectured on law to students from the Universities of Hong Kong, Malaysia and Beijing. From 2001 he was a resident judge of the Exeter Crown Court in the UK.  -- Based on 2010 No:1809/MOI.

HILLARY CLINTON VIDEO. Secretary Clinton delivers remarks at the East-West Center in Hawaii on America's engagement with the Asia Pacific region. Click here.

FORUM SECRETARIAT BLOCK FIJI REPORT.  The Secretariat hired Dr Steve Ratuva to write the Fiji section on Pacific Good Leadership in 2008-09 but chose not to publish it. Geraldine Coutts of ABC's Pacific Beat tries to get to the reason why but I'm no wiser from listening to the interview.  Anyone got any idea what this is all about? Click here to listen.

WE WILL NOT GO BACK. Speaking at the military commemoration for the three loyal soldiers who died in the 2000 mutiny, the PM said the military had to remove the Qarase government because it was taking the country back to 2000 and what George Speight and his group wanted at that time. We will not go back to the dark days of 2000. The PM thought the mindset of a lot of people has now changed, knowing that the People's Charter is a vision that will benefit everyone in the country.

A delegation of 52 men led by Ratu Saiyasi Rogoyawa from Lovoni tikina in Ovalau presented their "matanigasau" to the PM and the military asking forgiveness for their actions in 2000. Ratu Sauyasi said their burning of the Masonic Hall in Levuka was influenced by an clan member who was in the rebellious Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit. -- Based partly on 2010, No:1828/MOI.

MILITARY REAFFIRM LOYALTY. RFMF Chief of Staff Brigadier General Mohammed Aziz, speaking of the Commemoration,  said the day was not only for those who died. It also commemorated those who had stood together to repel the attacks by a section of the Counter Revolutionary Warefarre Unit. “On 2nd November 2000 the members of RFMF in togetherness defended the barracks and represented the unity that existed amongst the force and the allegiance they had placed with the Commander. This morning a similar pledge was placed - and the pledge is that there is unity in the force and this unity is unquestionable.

CONSUMER COUNCIL COMMENDS CONTROLS. Council chief executive Premila Kumar  says the current process and method used by the Commission in using evidence-based pricing and costing from suppliers addresses one of the weaknesses of the old price control regime.  She commends the Commerce Commission for its review of the outdated Price Control Order of 1970.

CHURCH AND STATE. The Director of Public Prosecutions has withdrawn conspiracy charges laid against 36 Methodist church ministers but the charges against the President of the Methodist church, Rev. Ame Tugaue, and Rev.Tuikilakila Waqairatu who are charged with organising an unlawful meeting, still stand.

Charges of unlawful assembly under PER against former President Rev.Tomasi Kanailagi and Rev.Manasa Lasaro remain. Both men are itaukei racists who supported the Speight Coup in 2000. It surprises me they they have not been banished long ago from having any influence in a Christian church. They have done much to foment unrest and agitation against the Bainimarama government and I think it highly probably that had it not been for them,  the mutually damaging standoff between church and state would not have occurred.

Mining & Landowners, Fiji Holdings Ltd., US Relations, Cruise Ship Cancelled

MINING: LANDOWNERS TO BENEFIT. Minister for Land and Mineral Resources Netani Sukanaivalu said the  Mining Act will be reviewed to rectify loopholes and ensure that landowners can have a fair share of money derived from mineral resources, which has not been the case in the past.

Sukanaivalu says government is committed to ensuring the best returns to landowners, and is now paying compensation for any damage done to lands being explored. It is also paying for royalties and landowners are given the first employment opportunity for any mining work or exploration done on their land.

FIJI HOLDINGS LIMITED was established in 1984 as a response by chiefs and people to accelerate i-Taukei participation in the economy.  Shareholders include provincial councils, the Native Land Trust Board, the i-Taukei Affairs Board, tikina (district) and village groups, i-Taukei co-operatives, individual i-Taukei and family companies. FHL today is a successful and profitable enterprise which has become a major player in Fiji's corporate sector.

At its annual shareholders meeting last week, FHL revealed that there are plans for a partnership between Fiji's largest i-Taukei company, Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL), and the business arms of the country's 14 provincial councils.

Group managing director Sereana Qoro  said the partnership would allow FHL to advise, manage and help provincial councils advance during the current economic climate, and provide opportunities for provincial companies to secure joint venture businesses with potential business investors. The Group gives  i-Taukei significant shareholding in major companies and helps to achieve the national objective of bringing i-Taukei fully into the mainstream of the country's economic life.

It was reported that FHL will divest its entire investments in two major companies —  Good Luck Investments (the holding company for Novotel and Mecure hotels in Nadi) and in Minjesk Investments Ltd (the holding company of Suva Private Hospitals) that had not  generating dividend incomes for the investment company. FHL has also announced the incorporation of overseas subsidiaries into FHL, a first in its 25 year history. Pasifika Holdings Ltd and Pasifika Finance Ltd, wholly owned subsidiaries have been incorporated in PNG to capitalize on the growing opportunities in that market. At the end of June this year, FHL Group recorded a pre-tax profit of $17.6 million compared to the $55.1 million pre-tax profit for the same period last year.

NEW US AID OFFICE IN SUVA. Given the pressures to remove several regional offices from Suva and relocate them in Samoa, Vanuatu or elsewhere, Hillary Clinton's announcement that the new US Agency for International Development will be built in Suva is especially interesing.

CRUISE SHIP CANCELLATIONS. Thousands of Australian tourists due in Fiji in November have had their holiday cruise plans decked after P&O Cruises was forced to cancel two trips on its Pacific Jewel liner because of engine propulsion problems. The October cruise was also cancelled. The 70,000 tonne ship, which carries over 2,600 passengers and crew, would have visited Dravuni in the Kadavu Group, Suva and Nadi as part of an eight ports and four countries cruise.

MIDA Step in Media Evolution, ID Card and '666 Mark of the Beast,' Misleading NZ Travel Heading, Cakaudrove Prevaricates

WEEKEND READING.  ♦ Allen Lockington column ♦ Does the Government Accept Criticism? ♦ The Weakness of Australian Policy ♦ Media Freedom and Racism in NZ, I and II, ♦ Some Lessons from Mauritius

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS. Fiji will switch back to daylight saving time from this Sunday 24th tober at 2am. This means members of the public will be required to switch their clocks one hour ahead from 2am to 3am. It is expected to end in March 2011, a date is yet to be confirmed. --  2010 No:1568/MOI. Fiji will then be on the same time as NZ that commenced its daylight savings two weeks ago, and be two hours (instead of the present three hours) ahead of EST in Sydney.

MEDIA AUTHORITY NEARLY READY. Media Industry Development Authority (MIDA) chairman Prof Subramani  expects the Authroithy to befully operational within the next month. The secretary's position has been advertised and office space obtained. Subramani said MIDA will be proactive in working with the media, and constructively help support the development of quality media services, as well as interpret the provisions in the media decree.

Commenting on overseas negativities he said many people had not read the Decree carefully enough and have misconceptions about it. He says the Decree provides for media guidelines that were previously not present and should be looked at as a stage in the evolution of the media industry in Fiji.

ID CARDS AND CHIP 666. Some not very well informed people in Fiji are frightening their fellow citizens by linking the proposed ID card to a microchip Chip 666 that will be inserted under the skin (666 is the Mark of the Beast/Devil).  The Chip 666 story has its origins among small "wacko" pseudo-Christian religious sects in the USA, some of which claim the Obama government plans to insert the chip while pretending people are getting a standard health injection. Google "Chip 666" to check them out. The email circulating in Fiji warns "the Bible predicted it will come and  now it is here.  Let's  pray that our loved ones, friends and work colleagues do not fall from eternal glory with Jesus Christ by planting this chip into their bodies. Please circulate and pass on to all you know (leave no one out) so you may not be answerable if your friends do not make it to HEAVEN…GOD BLESS!!!" 

"FIJI OUT OF FAVOUR WITH KIWI TRAVELLERS." There's apparently been a minor dip in recent NZ tourist arrivals in Fiji. There's nothing strange or significant about that. There are alway short term swings in tourism. It's a seasonal business affected by many factors. But as one Fijian reader wrote:"Surely they could have use a different headline that didn’t imply a negative connotation for Fiji? Click here.

"I am now never ... surprised at the insidious propaganda of the MSM these days. The great masses of the unthinking hoi poloi swallow everything hook line and sinker, and are completely unaware that they are subtly controlled by vested interests whose agendas are completely beyond their ken. And, using the contaminated information gleaned from a corrupt Fourth Estate, vote your politicians into power in a so-called democracy. Free media? I don’t think so! Democracy? Think again.

"The irony is that most New Zealanders feel sorry that Fiji does not have what they would construe as free and fair elections, and that we are ruled by a “dictator”, when, if they stopped to think about it, they are just as much to be pitied , or more so than the Fijian electorate, because they don’t understand that their system is as bad as ours! Even worse because of the insidiousness of the system."

CAKAUDROVE STILL PREVARICATES. Although the Cakaudrove Provincial Council and the Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu have generally endorsed the changes being ingtroduced by Government, they have still not endorsed the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress: Government's primary document on the way forward on which the Roadmap and Strategic Framework for Change are based. 

The Tui Cakau  persuaded the Council to defer a decision on the Charter until some issues that he declined to specify were clarified with the PM. They appear to be related to changes since the Abrogation of the 1997 Constitution and the Public Emergency Regulations. “I need to hear the views of my chiefs first and at the same time I have to tell them what I think is best for us,” Ratu Naiqama said. He said this was not an easy decision to make because the lives of his people are paramount. He did, however, say that as a chief he needed to follow the protocols that come with it which meant that his views would have to be endorsed by the other chiefs of the province.

We shall have to wait to see what all this means but I am less confident of a genuine reconciliation than I was yesterday when the Tui Cakau was reported as saying he "agreed with the changes imposed by the Government for the betterment of the country" and urged his people "to forget the past and ... work together to make Fiji a better place to live in."

Good News from Cakaudrove, SFO Threatens NZ Journalists, EU's €, Bruce Hill, Usaia's FDFM and Me

GOOD NEWS FROM CAKAUDROVE. Reports from the Cakadrove Provincial Council meeting in Somosomo, Taveuni,  are that the paramount chief of Cakaudrove, the Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who is also the head of the powerful Tovata Confederacy, comprising, Cakaudrove, Bua, Macuata and Lau, says he now agrees with changes imposed by the Government for the betterment of the country, and that it is time to forget the past and for everyone to work together to make Fiji a better place to live in. 
Map from Walsh: Fiji: An Encyclopaedic Atlas, 2006, USP.


This, in my view, constitutes a major change in the Fiji political scene and offers hope of early reconciliations and faster progress with the reforms leading to the 2014 elections. Its significance is confirmed by the response of Sai Lealea,  a popular anti-goverment blogger, on his blog Fiji Coup 2006. He writes from Wellington:

"Coming from my paramount chief, this is indeed a monumental decision. It is one I will have to consider in terms of my position against the current illegal regime in Fiji, if indeed it is confirmed as a statement from the Tui Cakau ... I have been heavily guided in my opposition to the illegal takeover of the government of Fiji in 2006, by the principled stance taken by the chiefs of Fiji and the Great Council of Chiefs ... In the event the Tui Cakau's call  to the people of Cakaudrove to support the current regime's initiatives is confirmed, I will be reconsidering my current stance in line with my paramount chief's direction.  In such a case, I will be emboldened by the fact that his call is for supporting the initiatives currently implemented to benefit the people of Cakaudrove, especially those greatly in need of assistance, and those who contribute to the coffers of government through taxes."

Ratu Naiqama said this was a new beginning for the people of Cakaudrove and he hoped there would be widespread support for whatever decision was made. He said development efforts undertaken by the Government continued to lift the standards of living of the people [and] he had never heard of Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama trying to stop the assistance to his people. The latter remark is especially significant because overseas anti-government critics had claimed Government development moneys were only being spent in rural areas loyal to government, or used as bribes to win over areas with uncertain support.

The Roko Tui Cakaudrove Ro Aca Mataitini said the two-day meeting would ensure that the people embrace the reforms outlined in the People's Charter for Peace and Progress. The Government would always respect the Vanua and in return the Government hoped the Vanua would do the same. He said the people of Cakaudrove needed to open their hearts and accept the changes that were currently in place. After the two day meeting which ends today, the Tui Cakau, Provincial Council Chairman Emitai Boladuadua and the Roko Tui Cakaudrove will make an appointment to meet the Prime Minister. For the FijiVillage account, click  here.

I DIDN'T KNOW THIS. Our media raised hell about the Fiji Media Decree.  What it didn't tell us was that the Serious Fraud Office Act 1990 gives the SFO powers to execute search warrants on media offices and to charge journalists who attempt to "obstruct investigations" with imprisonment for 12 months or a fine of up to $15,000; with publishers facing a $40,000 fine. I only found out because of "Sarah's" comment on yesterday's posting.  Had we known this when the international media was calling the Fiji Media Decree "draconian" we would have been in a better position to form an informed opinion. Source:  Scoop.

EU ASKED TO RECONSIDER ITS STANCE. EU Ambassador Peceli Vocea has requested the EU to relax its stance on Fiji. EU suspended assistance amounts to over €24 million in sugar subsidies (and  would do This means withholding development aid worth about 30 million euros ($44 million) and subsidy payments to sugar farmers amounting to 115 million euros ($169).

TRYING TO BE AN IMPARTIAL JOURNALIST. Bruce Hill rang me after my postings (19 October) which suggested a lack of balance in his interviews with Rev Yakabi and Usaia Waqatairewa, and I thank him for that. I think he genuinely tries to be impartial but his choice of topics and those interviewed indicate just how difficult it is to modify the internalised positions we grow up with.

Bruce thinks democracy is the best system of government and has no sympathy for those who overthrown democratic governments. I agree. But I doubt Fiji under Qarase was a democratic government and I think Bainimarama is just as genuine as Bruce in wanting a democratic government.  Bruce thinks some people in Fiji would not talk to him because they were afraid but it is just as possible they are tired of answering the same loaded, anti-government questions. I suggested he ask people what questions they would like to be asked, and thought he would get a better response with this approach.

Bruce knew little about Usaia Waqatairewa and the FDFM but thought they represented a significant number of emigré Fijians. He cited their recent meeting which drew people from all over Australia. My information is that they struggled to get 200 people to the meeting and those attending were exclusively ethnic Fijians.

In the course of the conversation Bruce directed me to his earlier interview with three ethnic Fijian SDL supporters who had been declined refugee status in Australia. The abuses they cited were in 2007 and towards the end of the programme the Australian authorities said they had no information to support claims of ongoing abuses.

Here is the link to Bruce's programme. His interview is fair but why the choice of topic and informants, and the late denial by Australian authorities?

Law Society Fire, Economy, Food Security & Imports, Sharing Lease Moneys

K R.FRED. Please tell me more about your confidential comment.

LAW SOCIETY FIRE. The 2am Wednesday fire that severely damaged the Fiji Law Society office in downtown Suva is not thought to be suspicious.

But ABC's Pacific Beat journalist Pacific Beat's Joanna McCarthy must have raised the possibility of Government complicity for FLS President Dorsami Naidu (photo)  to say, "We have our problems with the regime But ... in regards to foul play I can't make any comment at this stage. No purpose would be served when all our powers have been taken over and the regime has taken the files which they require in regards to complaints against our members. So there's nothing really that anyone would have to gain, unless they were just being bloody minded."

On Law Society-Government relations, Naidu says "the law society continues to communicate with the interim Attorney-General, Chief Justice and other judicial officers to try and return to an official capacity within the Fiji judicial system."
   
CORRECTION. I am advised that the  FLS was stripped of its judicial functions following the replacement of the Legal Practitioners Act 1997  by the Legal Practitioners Decree 2009, not as a result of the Abrogation of the Constitution as previously stated. The 1997 Act established and defined the functions of the FLS, not the 1997 Constitution.  The FLS never had a constitutional role.

The 2009 Decree transferred the function of issuance of practising certificates and disciplinary proceedings from the FLS to the Chief Registrar. It also set up the Independent Legal Services Commission to hear disciplinary cases against lawyers filed by the Chief Registrar.

BAINIMARAMA ON THE ECONOMY. The PM linked his comments on the economy to foreign interventions and his government's determination to build a strong nation, in line with the changes "enshrined" in the People’s Charter:

“Our reserves position remains healthy at above $1b. However we need to sustain and grow our reserve level by reducing our current account deficit. This mean considerable need to increase our exports, increase food security by growing more local foods and in the process reduce imports and this is nothing new. There have been countries in the region that have in the past years and continue to do so attack our economy in the hope that we will have election. That is not going to happen. We will have elections in 2014, hopefully with all the reforms made.”

FOOD SECURITY AND IMPORTS.  Government's Roadmap on agriculture aims to make Fiji less dependent on food imports, bring more land into production and provide money-making opportunities for isolated,rural and mainly subsistence communities. It is hoped that more vibrant rural economies will lessen the migration to towns, especially by young people.  

Two recently announced developments are chicken farming in Kadavu that is a direct implementation of the Kadavu Strategic Development Plan 2007–2012 (that also covers roads, jetties and airport developments) in a partnership with Pacific Feeds Limited. The other development is potato farming, mainly in inland areas of the Western Division.

So far 100 tonnes have been harvested with another 200 tonnes ready soon. Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Col. Mason Smith says the local industry will be a major player in import substitution with production levels expected to more than double over the next three years. At that time marketing may become a problem but for now farmers cannot supply enough for the market. The Agriculture Department currently subsidises costs on a 50/50 basis but by year four of the project it will only provide seed potatoes and technical advice.

SHARING LAND LEASE MONEY. The government is  looking at a proposal to equally share the distribution of lease money amongst the members of the landowning units if their native land has been leased out. Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Colonel Pio Tikoduadua said the proposal is to review Regulation 11 of the Native Land Trust Act which deals with leases and licensing of native land. As consultations continue with the stakeholders, the PS said members of the landowning units should be sitting with their chiefs and try to work out the best option for them. They should not think that if the proposal goes ahead, it will lower the rank of the chiefs. -- Based on 2010 No:1647/MOI and 2010 No:1647/MOI.