.: Last Week in Fiji

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Friday, 27 March 2009

Last Week in Fiji: Third Week of March

The week started with two minor parties insulting PNG's Sir Rabbie Namaliu and ended with molotov cocktail attacks on two homes. The rays of hope from the previous week's Political Party Leaders' meeting were soon blotted out as Fiji A and Fiji B again took turns to bat on a heavily trampled field with no umpires.

Postings

Wed.18th. "They're At It Again. This Time Sir Rabbie". Two minor parties, the CAMV and the General Voters' Party, criticized the nomination of PNG's Sir Rabbie Namaliu as chair of the PPDF, calling him a puppet to white Australia and New Zealand. PNG took offence and Sir Rabbie withdrew his nomination. Later, Mahendra Chaudhry siad he hoped Sir Rabbie would reconsider. The incident was aggrevated, if not caused, by poor reporting by the media. Sir Rabbie had been nominated, not appointed. PNG thought the Interim Government had made the remarks when in fact they had nominated Sir Rabbie,who appeared to have the support of all except CAMV and GVP. I saw it as an early attempt to derail the Political Party Leaders meetings and future PPDF.

Friday 20th. "An Apt and Wise Old Song (for Fiji Just Now)." I posted the blog's first song, Bing Crosby's 1940s "You've got to accentuate the positive/ Eliminate the negative/ Latch on to the affirmative/Don't mess with Mister In-Between."

Sun. 22nd. "Fom Stones to Rocks to Molotov Cocktails" commented on attacks on the cars and homes of Sakuisa Raivoce and Netani Rika. The Fiji, foreign media and IG opponents claimed they were political intimidation; hinted strongly that the military was involved; some accused the police of not taking the attacks seriously, and all demanded the IG condemn the attacks (which they did the following day). I criticized intrepretations put on the stone and molotov cocktail events, and was criticized in return (see below).

Letters Between Two Friends

Dear Croz, One needs to separate Fiji media’s incompetence and malignance (towards the Interim Government) from the acts of political intimidation that are manifested by the stone-throwing vandals. The fact that the police have not been able to apprehend a single person after more than half dozen such acts does not reflect the ‘hands’ of those trying to discredit the government. There is a nasty underbelly to the IG that one needs to recognize! Bhaiya*.

Dear Bhaiya, I agree I didn't do a particularly good job in separating media shortcomings from the stone-thowing although, of course, in condeming both, I do recognize their difference. But I'll have to stick with my views on the stone-throwing. We can all agree the attacks were cowardly and criminal, but whatever many people may think, there is as yet no evidence that they were politically motivated, or carried out by the military or the "nasty underbelly" of the Interim Government -- and there may never be. They could just as well have been carried out by the IG's opponents. Your point that the Interim Government has a "nasty underbelly" is probably true, but so too does its opposition. Not all of them were jailed with Speight after the 2000 Coup. Ironically, unless the culprits are caught, the Government will be blamed whoever conducted the attacks.

The media continues to report opinions and assumptions as facts, which are then used by its opponents to attack the Interim Government. The IG should be held to its word on reforms and progress towards elections, and checked when it acts wrongly. But the media should also be held more responsible. Publishing one IG statement to six anti-IG statements is not "balance. And those with vested interests in opposing the Government -- who stand to gain most if it fails in its objectives -- should not be allowed to posture as democrats and upholders of the law.

If well-meaning people in Fiji do not distinguish between opinion, assumption and fact, and do not look at all possibilities, the Interim Government is likely to be damned if it did -- and damned if it didn't. Kind regards, Croz.

The fallout from the molotov cocktail incidents continued into the next week, and demands the IG condemn the attacks continued long after they had done so. * Not his real name.

Wednesday, 18 March 2009

Last Week in Fiji: Second Week of March

Postings

Monday 9th.

"Who Owns the (PI) Forum?" A background paper the Forum by its former Director of Economic Governance, Dr Roman Grynberg, in which he discusses the debate on whether or not Australia and New Zealand should be members, and their near "ownership" today.

"Un-Pacific Neighbours". Extracts from Thakur Ranjit Singh's article in the Fiji Times in which he answers statements attacking Bainimarama by Samoan PM Tuilaepa.

"What, Exactly, Did the Ambassador Say?" in which I expressed doubts that US Ambassador McGann's speech to a Prophet Mohammed's Birthday meeting had been accurately reported. The press reported that he'd urged Fijians to put pressure on the Interim Government.

Thursday 12th.

"PM's Unwise Decision on PPDF Meeting" in which I gave reasons why the PM's decision not to invite the SDL party was unwise. [It later transpired the media had got this wrong. The SDL was invited.]

"Media Did Distort What Ambassador McGann Said." I read the speech. Most of it was on American-Muslim relations and religion generally. Only passing refererence was made to Fiji. The Ambassador urged people to put pressure on all leaders, not just the Interim Government.

Friday 13th.

"How to Stir the Pot by Pramod Rae" in which I traced day-to-day reporting on the leak to the media of UN/Commonwealth letters adressed to the PM. Pramod Rae took over two days to admit he had leaked the letters, during which time "everyone" condemned the police for searching the Fiji Times offices. I thought Rae this a political stunt by Rae.

"Fiji Leaders Agree on PPDF Agenda" reported the agreement and, citing the media, the appointment of former PNG PM Sir Rabbie Namalui as chairman.

Saturday 14th.

"At Last Some Good News." The leaders comments about their meeting, and a correction that the meeting had not appointed Sir Rabbie as chairman.

Sunday 15th.

"You Can't Please Everybody: Reactions to the Pre-PPDF Meeting" focussed on Fiji Daily Post negative reporting and Prof Brij Lal's concern that the question of the military had been deliberately left off the agenda. I thought the military would have been included under anther heading. [It is under the People's Charter"]

"Statement on Pramod Rae Leak by Jone Dakuvula." The PPDF Coordinator said publishing the confidential letters could lead to the UN and Commonwealth opting out of their PPDF role.

Compulsory Retirement Age

The Court upheld the Public Service Association's determination to change the compulsory retirement age for civil servants back to 55. It had briefly been lifted to 60. The action will not win friends among older civil servants and their trade unions but it will open doors for promotion and recruitment. Several thousand school leavers and hundreds of graduates are unemployment. Exemptions to this ruling will include professionals whose skills and experience are in high demand.

Sunday, 8 March 2009

Last Week in Fiji: First Week of March

SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR THIS WEEK'S NOTICES

Punch Drunk and the 3R's

It's been a bad week for the Interim Government. First they were hit by the US Human Rights Report; then the International Bar Association Report ; then the Commonwealth CMAG Report (each with opportunites for umpteen opponents to make umpteen comments) and, if that was not enough, this weekend produced some bad economic signals from Moody's and the tourism industry, on which brief comments below. I will comment on the "human rights" reports later in the week.

Postings this week included:
* Commerce Commissioner dismissal
* Two important "historic" comments by Steve Ratuva
* Ratu Isoa on the role of the military [Major post]
* Walsh on Bainimarama's need for a public relations
officer --- the Commonwealth announcement [Major post]

(o) The Commonwealth Ministers' Action Group.
I thought their decision very reasonable. They didn't ask for elections by September; only that the process started. If all goes well with the PPDF, it should be possible to announce an election date before then, and indeed before May 1st. But there's no way elections can be held in less than 12 months. See 26 February post: Why Elections Cannot be Held by December.

(o+) The Slightly Lengthened Arm of the Law

The Fiji Law Society, the US Human Rights Report and High Court Judge Nazhat Shameem are all agreed: it takes too long for civil and criminal cases to be heard before the courts. The Law Society says this is due to the shortage of "suitably qualified" judges. Let's hope the appointment of Suva Magistrate Ajmal Khan as Chief Magistrate and Justice Sosefo Inoke as a Puisne (pronounced 'puny') Judge meet American and Law Society approval.
[Note: The Constitution recognized three courts: the Supreme Court (headed by Chief Justice Anthony Gates and the Justices of Appeal); the High Court (CJ and at least ten puisne judges); and the Court of Appeal comprising puisne judges. The latter hears cases referred to it by the Magistrate's Court, the first level of the court system, headed by the Chief Magistrate.] FijiLive 3 March 2009.

(+) The Years of the Red Fire Dog (2006) and the Ox (2009)

Cdre Bainimarama really didn't pick the best year for a coup. He should have left it three years so that Qarase had to face the bad economic news now hitting the country. Oxes are more propitious than dogs. Coups and revolutions are best conducted in bad economic times. With Qarase's high borrowing levels and economic management up to 2006, and likely increased debt to fund racially-skewed affirmative action schemes, Fiji could have been close to bankruptcy today. He wouldn't have a coup to blame, and since he now disbelieves Bainimarama, he couldn't blame it entirely on the world depression. Even the excessively vocal present critics of the Interim Government could be against him.

But the reality is different. Fiji's international economy rating (an indicator to potential investors and lenders) seems likely to suffer a downgrade from New York-based Moody's Investor Confidence, according to their V-P Stephen Hess who was in Fiji last week. "The level of reserves was now low compared to the country’s need for foreign exchange not only to pay its debt, which was not that large, but also to pay for imports." Investment levels have been "falling quite substantially over the last few years as a proportion of GDP.” The ability to borrow offshore was "uncertain ... due particularly to the political situation." And the budget deficit will be higher "due to the floods and slowing economy." [Economic statements from Fiji Live.]

(+) Lying by Omission: Qarase

Former PM Laisenia Qarase is considering legal action against the Interim PM for saying he "lied to the court in applying for permission to travel to Australia." [Qarase applied to visit his grandchildren.] He said he did not tell the court of other places he would be visiting because it was "irrelevant". Qarase "irrelevantly" attended fund-raising dinners for the SDL party in four Australian cities. The money "will be used for our legal challenges. We have at least two major cases before the courts and we have more in the coming month.” [Which should keep the courts and the Government busy! Qarase is charged with three counts of abuse of office and related charges brought by the FICAC, the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.] Condensed from FijiLive. 5 March 2009.

Opinion. One can't help thinking that the main purpose of these --- and several other legal --- challenges is to embarrass the Interim Government, disrupt its everyday functioning, and sidetrack it from major issues facing the country. If so, Qarase's short-term advantage will be at some cost to the Fiji economy and normal government business. In Fiji's present circumstances (for which some would say he is equally accountable) petty litigation is not the way to go.

Tuesday, 3 March 2009

Last Week in Fiji; Fourth Week of February

New Postings Sunday 1 March
[Major papers in red]
(o) The President's Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF)
(o) Fiji's 1997 Constitution failed ....
(G) The People's Charter outreach
(o) Beddoes calls for Government of National Unity
(-) Fiji Law Society modifies stance on Interim Government
(G) Media Law Nearly Ready
(+) US Human Rights Report Unfair and Unbalanced
(-) PSA at Odds over Pay Increases
(-) Qarase in Melbourne
(+) Solomon Is.Sogovare disagrees with Samoan PM

Mid-Week Posts
(Bo-) Why Elections Cannot be Held by December
(o) Wellington Lawyer on Fiji
Preferred PM An hilarious Tebutt Poll
(B) Solomon Island Community Wants to Return "Home"

Making Something Out of Nothing
Two further examples of what must be called ongoing, negative "media-generated news" hit the streets last week. FijiLive asked Pramod Rae (NLF general secretary) what he thought about Bainimarama's temporary change of residence. Rae found it "a bit suspicious" that Bainmarama is to move into civilian and not military accommodation while his house is being rennovated.

Then in FICAC silent on Qarase investigations we had the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) "refus(ing) to reveal whether they will be launching an investigation into Former PM Qarase's recent outbursts in Australia." Spokesperson Charlotte Peters said FICAC does not want to make a comment at this stage, adding they will reveal more when the time is right. FijLive must surely have known this before they asked.

This is not reporting the news; it is creating it. Normally this would not greatly matter but most of this "news" is anti-Interim Government, offered in response to media questions put to known Government opponents -- when the media already knew what their answers would be. As my grandmother used to say: "Ask a silly question and you'll get a silly answer." In Fiji's current situation such questioning is more than silly; it is irresponsible.

Attack the Man, Not the Argument
If you knew absolutely nothing about Fiji politics and your introduction was blogs, the news and media comments, you could wonder what hit you if you wrote or spoke on anything controversial. Here's some tongue-in-cheek advice on how to develop an argument. First, start by personally insulting the person with whom you disagree. Get in below the belt. If you're blogging, hit him hard with as many really filthy swear words as you can. Secondly, attack his credentials. Say he's a self-seeking nobody who knows nothing. Thirdly (and this is the most clever manoeuvre), neatly side-step your opponent's argument by launching a tangential one of your own. The main idea is not to attack the argument. Attack the man. This will make you many friends among those who think similarly and an equal number of enemies among those who do not. No matter. Fiji's protagonists belay each with Nero's fiddle, while Suva burns.

The best example last week was a perfectly reasonable and well argued Fiji Times feature on Race and Religion in Fiji by Thakur Ranjit Singh, a follow up on the Teleni affair, and the (to me) incredibly venomous response it drew from former NFP administrator and present day journalist Kamal Iyer. I can only suspect that unstated personal factors were involved. Singh's article is well worth reading. Then take a look at Iyer's "Warped Logic" and make your own judgment.

Unfortunately, I was engaged in a similar exchange during the week. Drj***@aol.com emailed me saying he was not very impressed by my blog ("It's not the kind of high powered blog that might knock your socks off with its originality. It might do in a rush".) He would like to see it "start something of a dialog on the politics of intervention by both Australia and New Zealand".

I responded that dialogue is most welcome on all topics, especially on how Fiji is to "move forward." He responded with most unpleasant remarks about my friend and former colleague Brij Lal (with whom I don't always agree) and a vicious attack on Australia and New Zealand. ("Fiji is the first of the Pacific island micro states to tell both of these white middle powers to f*** off".) Then -- and I should have known it was coming -- he had a go at me:

"Fiji is doing just fine--moving forward by its own definition. Fiji is not in need of any kind of gratuitous advice from New Zealand's peanut gallery--even from somebody like you with 50 years of Pacific watching. Mind yr own business and get on with some of New Zealand's domestic problems."

So there we have it: another polite, persuasive argument.

(o) Re-thinking Leadership Style
Congratulations to Jioji Kotobalavu (formerly CEO in the former PM's office and hardly an Interim Government supporter) for his article Re-Thinking Leadership Style and Organisational Culture in Saturday's Fiji Times. You may not agree with all he says on the "Teleni Affair" (for he neither condones nor condemns the Police Commissioner) but you should find it refreshing to read his thoughtful, balanced and positive ideas. The whole article stands in sharp contrast to Kamal Iyer's backward finger-pointing "Warped Logic" reported above, and is well worth reading in full.

Here's a small sample that conveys his central theme:

"So, rather than continue to berate and castigate Police Commissioner Teleni for what he reportedly said at his meeting with senior Indian police officers, a more useful and more positive engagement would be to reflect on the incident as an opportunity to talk about the kind of leadership and organisational culture that would be most appropriate for the Police Force and other state agencies and public organisations in this era of human rights and given the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural character of our society."

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Last Week in Fiji: Third Week of February

To see the Noticeboard (a new item), scroll down to the very last posting.

Last Week. See Postings that follow ---Teleni---Elections---Sahu Khan---Chaudhry and FLP------Registered political parties---Fiji and Fiji Hindi for teachers---Wages---Baledrokadroka's claim---Qarase's Aussie "holiday"--- McGhie in NZ Listener

Media Man of the Week Teleni. The media, some NGOs and local and overseas blog sites, mostly anti-Interim Government, had a most enjoyable week, from Tuesday on, gorging themselves on the reputation of Police Chief Teleni. The most balanced blog summary is provided by John Liebhardt. See also "Picky Eater's" thoughtful comments to my post on the subject.

I have four comments to add: (1) I am not convinced Teleni's comments were racist. (2) I am uncomfortable when religion is so intensively expressed, and see no place for it in the police force -- but that is Fiji. (3) I do not like intimidatory sergeant-major-type commands -- but that is the way of the military. (4) Had a NZ army or police officer complained to the media, as the "unnamed" Fiji officer did, he would have been severely reprimanded. Like it or not, the tradition is that complaints are made upwards, within the service, not to the media.

To allow more flexibility and better indexing, I have de-coupled last week's postings from Last Week in Fiji. In future LWIF will comprise a list of topics covered during the week, and one or two short postings. I have also decided to abandon Tuesday and Thursday Updates. They were too time-consuming.

Saturday, 14 February 2009

Fiji Last Week III: Second Week of February 2009

[Flashback: New Zealand and Fiji lost out in the Wellington Rugby Sevens last weekend. John Key and Voqere Bainimarama declined to comment. But these are not the times for political humour.The kerfuffle over the Elections Office's possibly humourous but unwise video skit on democracy in Fiji, major headlines last weekend, with Elections Supervisor Felicity Heffernan's job reportedly at stake, appears, thankfully, to have blown over.]

* Check Out Three Major Posts during the Week
Bainimarama's about-face on wages and bus fares
Qarase's abuse of office charges
Facts and opinions on the 1997 Constitution

A Letter from a Friend. "The UN/Comsec team of four officials are here this week to talk to the regime and other worthies about the President's forum and the process of political engagement. This is probably the best opportunity we have for a dialogue. The regime 's attitude will be critical because the political parties are waiting on it to take matters forward. The Commander has said he wishes to consult the political parties and the chiefs further on the draft agenda put forward by the two independent interlocutors (Messrs Nair and Halapua). It seems to me that this will take yet more time. The lack of urgency on the part of the regime is a matter for concern, because it raises questions of their motives and their commitment.

"Our economic situation cannot have been improved by the floods. I think that losses probably are in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Add to that the global financial crisis and our own circumstances, and you have a sense of our plight. But if it causes us to grow more in our backyards then it might have had some benefit. I do not mean to sound negative but cannot quite bring myself either to agree with Aiyaz Saiyed Khaiyum there is no crisis (told to the media in Port Moresby). It all depends on which side one takes."

The visiting UN/Commonwealth joint technical team, that will facilitate the President's Political Dialogue Forum, met all interested parties during the week, and left on Saturday. The Attorney-General expects the Forum will be held in the first or second week of March, and Interim PM Voqere Bainimarama hopes more sections of civil society, including churches, will join those already involved.

(-)Two worrying events occurred the week that bring no credit on the Interim Government: the reversal of the minimum wage rates and bus fares decisions (see separate posting) and the dismissal of municipal mayors (see below).

(-) Citizens' Constitutional Forum chairperson Rev. Akuila Yabaki says municipal reform did not require the dismissal of municipal mayors. Calling the decision "undemocratic", he asked Government for a firm timetable to return to democratically elected councils.

(-) The Military Involvement: One View.... Former military second-in-command Lt Col. Jone Baledrokadroka, dismissed before the 2006 coup for "subordination" or opposition to the pending coup, depending on your viewpoint, said in a FijiLive interview on Thursday that the "military (could) be part of our political landscape for some time."

The "military exit strategy is based on the implementation of the Charter”, he said, but "what happens when the Charter is not implemented or not implemented fully according to their wishes? Government militarization at all levels, from ministerial down to the permanent secretaries and even in all departments, adds to this fear. Perversely, a statement from Bainimarama adds weight to this claim.' He told visiting Vice President PRC Xi Jinping that the military will only stay in power until all its objectives are achieved.

.... And (+) Another. “The military", said Bainimarama, "essentially assumed control of the Government with clear objectives to eliminate corruption, racial discrimination policies and practices, and to bring about necessary reforms in the area of public service, governance as well as the electoral system in an effort to build a better and more progressive Fiji ... (it) did not intervene for the purpose of remaining in control and power beyond a reasonable time than what would be required to achieve the above objectives.” FijiLive 12 February 2009.

(B) Methodist Church to Decide on Annual Fundraising. The church's annual choir competitions, fundraising and two-week round of meetings has been a major event for the past 40 years. This year's meeting will be hosted by Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa in Rewa in August but whether it will include fundraising (at least on the scale of former years) will be decided by divisional heads in March. Fundraising, in which from village to province, participants seek to outbid each other, has, on the one hand, been criticized as imposing an excessive burden on poorer Fijians, and, on the other hand, as evidence of the unity of lotu (church), vanua (land) and matanitu (state) in Fijian thinking.

[I was once called all sorts of names -- a fly-by-night expert, ignorant, insensitive, offensive, communist, atheist -- by church minister and senator Tomasi Kanailagi (Fiji Daily Post 27 July 2002) for supporting MP Mike Beddoes who'd said church fundraising greatly added to the burdens of the poor.]

(B) Traditional Fishing Grounds. Fiji Police are monitoring Navala and Nanoko villages in the interior of Ba following a dispute over traditional fishing grounds. A Police spokesman said a bure had been torched and a man hospitalised following a fight involving knives, spears and stones. Land, inland waters and sea ownership boundaries are disputed in many parts of Fiji. One of the reasons Bainimarama gave for the 2006 Coup was to stop the SDL Government's Qoliqoli Bill (on Fijian mataqali [clan] foreshore and coastal rights), saying it would turn Fijian against Fijian in many parts of the country News item: Fijilive 12 February 2009.

(G) Raising the Flag. Interim Education Minister Filipe Bole has instructed schools to conduct a weekly flag-raising ceremony and sing the national anthem to instill patriotism. This is one of the recommendations of the People's Charter.

Media Council Review. A media review team comprising Australian Press Council executive secretary Jack Herman, senior lawyer Barrie Sweetman and community activist Suliana Siwatibau will address problems of funding the council (presently largely funded by the media owners), complaints procedures, the media code of ethics, and improving media standards. While funding is the most immediate problem, Council chairman Daryl Tarte also hopes the review will help improve the sorely-tested relationship between the interim government and the media industry.Condensed from http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=114147 Comment on this item http://www.pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/

NZAID offers $2 million. Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) CEO Surendra Sharma confirmed to Fijilive (13 February 2009) that NZAID is preparing a $2 million relief package to assist the sugar industry. Australia has declined help (it is also a sugar producer) and the EU has not yet responded.The SCGC hopes the interim Government will also help more. “Sugar needs a lot of assistance and the sooner the key decision makers acknowledge this fact, the better,” Sharma said. The sugar industry needs $60 million to salvage a potentially bankrupt industry. [Good on you, NZAID]

NZ Waitangi Day and Fiji. The Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 established relations between the British Crown and Maori, something similar to Fiji's Deed of Cession. The Treaty, celebrated on Febuary 6, is the topic for Thakur Ranjit Singh's weekly column in the Fiji Times. For the full column, see http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=114159

This is his conclusion:
"The message coming out of Waitangi Day celebrations is that visionary selfless leaders with an abundance of goodwill and humility can overcome insurmountable racial and ethnic problems besetting a country, and all gets achieved by the Pacific way of talking and dialogue that we call talanoa.It is time for a change in political leadership in Fiji.

'I note Biman Prasad in his opinion article just days ago called for Chaudhry and Qarase to change their visions and agenda and join in dialogues of the President's forum. I disagree. You do not teach old dogs new tricks. They do not need to change; we need to change them, out with the old, in with the new. We can overcome our problems by rejecting divisive leaders and their narrow visions. Throw those out who have failed Fiji and get leaders of the new generation to make a difference."

(B+-) Issues Raised in Old Debate on People's Charter Still Valid. In April last year a public debate was held on the pros and cons of the People's Charter. Things have moved on but the issues they raised still need to be addressed if Fiji is to "move forward". Text and video may be accessed on http://www.fijitimes.com/peoples-charter-debate.aspx Affirmative speakers were Joseva Serulangilagi, then Chair of the Tailevu Provincial Council; Lorine Tevi, President of the NGO FCOSS, and Pundit Kamlesh Arya, Nat. Pres. of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha. Negative speakers were Dr Waden Narsey, Prof. of Economics at USP; Richard Naidu, a prominent Suva lawyer, and Tupou Draunidalo, a former V-Pres. of the Fiji Law Society.

Friday, 6 February 2009

Last Week in Fiji II: Fact and Opinion

[Flashback: This weekend Fiji (and Serevi) are in Wellington for the Rugby 7's. Remember Trevor Mallard's embarrassing comment that he hoped the Fiji team wouldn't get very far in the competition (because of the 2006 coup)? And then Fiji went on to thrash NZ in the finals. A double embarrassment.]

Does anyone know why the Fiji Human Rights Commission website cannot be contacted?

Floods First, Forum Later
Help Sugar Now -- or Else
Singh and Beddoes Speak Out
People's Charter
Samoan and Ni-Vanuatu Commentary
Litigation: Qarase and the Interim Government
Wages Up, Fares Down - Helping the Poor
Minimum Wages
Mischievous or Just Bad Reporting - Fiji Daily News
The Good News: 3000 New Jobs?
And from NZTV 7 Robie, Dreaver and Khan

(G) Attention Floods First, Forum Later
Interim PM Voqere (Frank) Bainimarama has called for sacrifice in the face of suspended EU loans and further sanctions following Fiji's possible suspension from the PI Forum later this year. “Every now and then we need to make sacrifices for the betterment of our future generations,”he said. "“Maybe we lose some now, but in the long run, we are more independent, confident and our children will have a lasting multi racial, cultural and tolerant society they can develop in.” He said discussion on the Forum resolution will take place after the flood victims are taken care of but, according to FijiLive, he was adamant about changing the country’s race-based voting system.

The Floods
The final cost of the Floods is not yet know but costs so far include an estimated $30m for the Sugar industry and at least $8m for Nadi rehabilitation. Meanwhile, according to Fiji Village, over 17,000 people received rations in January, and more than 147,000 people still need them, all in the west and north of Viti Levu, approximately 18,000 in Nadroga, 8,500 in Navosa, 70,000 in Nadi, 13,000 in Lautoka and Yasawa, 9,600 in Ba, 10,000 in Tavua, 5,000 in Nadarivatu and 12,800 in Ra. Overseas donors include PNG $1 milion, India $185,000, N Z about $600,000. The Government is distributing water purification tablets to affected areas.
This is the worst environmental crisis Fiji has endured in recent years. One might have hoped NZ would have put politics aside and been considerably more generous.

(o) Help Sugar Now or Else, Aid Donors Told
FijiLive 6 February 2009
Fiji's main sugarcane farmers' organisation has warned aid donors to front up now with badly needed assistance or face the consequences of salvaging a potentially bankrupt industry.Sugar Cane Growers Council CEO Surendra Sharma said aid donors should take heed as they will all be implicated if the industry fails."Aid donors will all have to spend a lot more to try to salvage the industry as well as deal with the wider implications when poverty levels spin out of control," Sharma said. The SCGC has written to the EU and the NZ and Australian governments for assistance, so far to no avail. NZ is playing a major role in tying up EU aid. Hitting cane farmers and workers will not "restore democracy".

(-) Movement for Democracy in Fiji chairperson Attar Singh appealed to the Interim Government to "return to democracy" so that the EU's $350 million aid to the ailing sugar industry will be paid.

(-) Former General Voters MP, Mick Beddoes, asked how the interim government will amend the Constitution without breaking the law. This followed Interim Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum's statement that the constitution will be amended to allow electoral reforms, the end of racial voting and the introduction of the a one man one vote system. (Fiji Sun).

(G) People's Charter Paper is Out
The Fiji Daily Post reports (5 February 2009) that the 42-page People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress has now been accepted by the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, and is being widely distributed. Translations into Fijian and Hindustani will be available soon The Interim Government's Information Department said the Charter process was a national level initiative which was inclusive and participatory, representing Fiji’s own way of addressing its deep-rooted, complex and fundamental problems.

“Integral to this process has been the firm commitment of all stakeholders as well as the interim Government towards the restoration and sustenance of true parliamentary democratic governance, stability and peace in Fiji,” the statement said.

The Ministry of National Planning has been tasked to integrate the Charter into the Corporate Plans of various ministries.“The general public is therefore encouraged to make an effort to read the Charter and contribute to the interim Government's endeavour to rebuild Fiji into a non-racial, culturally vibrant and united, well-governed, truly democratic nation that seeks progress and prosperity through merit-based equality of opportunity and peace,” the statement said.

(-) Samoan leader, Tuilaepa Malilelegaoi says unless the armed force in Fiji is removed there will be no peace in the country. Major Neumi Leweni replied that Fiji was a sovereign county and asked that it be left alone to attend to its problems. [Unfortunately, it could well be that it will be left alone.]

(o) Vanuatu Finance Minister, Sela Molisa, chairperson of the Monitoring Group for the People's Charter, speaking of the Forum's ultimatum to Fiji, said "I don't believe that it is the best option for the countries of the Pacific.

(+) Abuse of Office?
The case brought by the Interim Government against Former PM Laisenia Qarase, adjourned until 5th March, has been transferred to the High Court in Suva.

(-) In a counter move, Qarase's SDL party is challenging a ruling by Justice John Bryce which allowed the People's Charter process to continue, over-ruling an earlier injunction by Justice Jitoko that would have stopped the use of civil servants and government funds in promoting the Charter. [Tit-for-tat litigation is about the last thing Fiji needs at the moment.]

(+) Help for the Poor
Whatever its faults, the Interim Government is showing concern for the poor. This week it has increased minimum wages by 20% (see below), ordered a reduction of bus fares by 10%, and taxi flagfall prices by 50c, following the recent drop in fuel prices.

Minimum Wage Increases
Fiji Employers Federation chief executive Ken Roberts said federation representatives at the council's board argued against the wage increase that will give low paid workers increases of between 20 and 50 cents an hour. He said employment creation in the country will be hindered and those business affected by the flood would suffer further. National Wage Council Chairman, Fr Kevin Barr, had earlier said some employers had refused to raise wages despite generating huge profits through increased productivity, and added that when asked many employers refused to show their financial records to the Council. (Fiji Times).

The wage regulation order was gazetted in November last year and came into effect February 1st. Minimum hourly wage rates: Garment industry $1.36 ($61 weekly, assuming a 45 hour week. The urban poverty line in 1991 was $101!); most unskilled workers $1.65 to $2.08; Hotel and Catering workers from $1.84; Mining and Quarrying from $2.57. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=110204

In 2003 the bottom 30% of urban households had 10% of urban incomes, while the top 20% had 47%,, and the top 10% had 30%.(See Walsh 2006:357-359)

(-/o) Mischievous or Just Bad Reporting
(-) Fiji Daily News: "Democracy Still Elusive in Fiji".

Whoever wrote this article should get their facts right and not infer Prof Brij Lal said things that he did not.

FDN: "The military-man has ... suggested he’d like to keep the top job for another 10 years."
The Facts: Bainimarama actually said “I want to reform electoral laws and change the constitution to remove discrimination against Fiji’s large ethnic-Indian minority. The reforms will come before elections - even if the process takes five to ten years.”

FDN: "...he has replaced many key government figures with military officials"
The Facts: Yes, this is worrying -- but it is at least partly because of the difficulty in filling these position due to Australian and NZ travel bans.

FDN: (He has) "repeatedly broken promises to hold an election to return the country to democracy."
The Facts: Not repeatedly. Two "promises" were made, the first in April 2007 by Chaudhry, Nailatikau and Sayed-Khaiyum to the EU; the second in October 2007 by Bainimarama to the PI Forum in Tonga, and then only made after Tonga said they'd support a later date if this became necessary. Being pressured to say something is not a promise. Opponents say the promise was broken because of the date change (March 2009) but that was only one part of the promise. The other part promised "free and fair elections." [The "six million dollar" question is how this can be achieved. All parties -- the Interim Government, its opposition, the Forum and international community -- need to lift their eyes from dates and focus hard on possible answers to the far bigger question.]

DN:"The reason for the delay, he claims, is the need to reform the current communal voting system that assigns votes along ethnic lines, giving indigenous Fijians an advantage over the Fiji Indian minority."
The Facts: Yes, but not for the reason stated. The majority Fijian population has long had that advantage. What the Interim Government wants is a system that gives all votes an equal value. [Note: The present system makes (rural) Fijian, General and Rotuman Communal votes far more valuable than those of urban Fijians and Indo-Fijians. A case can be made to allow over-representation of Rotumans and General voters.]

Municipal Councils Dismissed
The Local Government Association will legally challenge the Interim Government's decision dismissing all councils to facilitate municipal reform. Their case will be heard on 13th March.

And the Good News? 3,000 New Jobs for Nasinu?
FijiLive reports that Cayman-based ICT call centre business, Mindpearl Ltd., could create 3,000 fulltime jobs over two and a half years, starting this September, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau. Mindpearl provides full contact centre facilities and services to a consortium of 11 airlines, flying globally to over 400 destinations across all time zones. Wages are likely to be between $12,000 to $15,000. Fiji was chosen because of its "neutral" English accent and Southern Cross Cable access. Mindpearl, to be located in the TaxFree Zone at Nasinu in Greater Suva, will enjoy a 13-year-tax holiday.

And from NZ TV7: (o+) Robie, Dreaver and Khan: Fiji Needs Help by its Powerful Neighbours
New Zealand's TV7 (unfortunately only accessible on the internet or with Freeview) offers programmes that rarely pander to the "lowest-common-denominator" audience typical of most progammes on other TV channels. There seems to be an intent to inform and educate, the kind of TV we were promised when we first had TV in the 1960s. Thursday's 9:10pm slot was a disccussion on Fiji between three people with Fiji experience: journalist and educator David Robie of AUT, TV1's Pacific reporter Barbara Dreaver, and Radio Tarana owner Robert Khan (www.tarana.co.nz/fiji-news/fiji-news/index.htm).

I hope, but doubt, that someone in the PM's office or Foreign Affairs was tuned in. The main message: Fiji needs help, not confrontation, from its more powerful neighbours. Things are very wrong that need to be fixed if Fiji is to have a genuine democracy.

You can listen to what they said on http://tvnzondemand.co.nz/content/media7/ondemand_video_skin?tab=&sb=date-descending&e=media7_2009_ep2#ep_media7_2009_ep2

Postscript 17.2.09. The NZ Media7 programme on Fiji is now available on the Pacific Media Centre YouTube site so it can be seen in Fiji http://cafepacific.blogspot.com/2009/02/media7-bares-all-on-fiji.html

The second item, on Waitangi, is also pertinent. My thanks to David Robie's Cafe Pacific for the link. See also my posting "Fiji Needs Lasting Solutions and Compassionate Neighbours" by Auckland-based journalist Thakur Ranjit Singh. Fiji Times 5 February 2009. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=113597

Sunday, 1 February 2009

New Feature
Last Week in Fiji I : Fact and Opinion

Aftermath Forum Decision
Aftermath Fiji Times Publisher Expulsion
Employers concerned about new minimum wages
Commonwealth Urges Local Government Elections
The Sunday Ban - Revived
Announcement on President's Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF)

Meanwhile, estimates on the cost of flood damage increased; more flooding is forecast for Navua; Waisale Serevi was sacked as coach of the Fiji Sevens (and his supporters threatened to burn down Rugby House ... and Fiji slipped off the radar in New Zealand.

Aftermath Forum Decision
The Interim Government continues to say it will not be pressured; its opposition demands immediate compliance; and some in Fiji and overseas are asking for tougher measures. So, as expected, there's little new to report, onlyto repeat: pressure must be applied, inside and out of Fiji, on all parties, not just on the Interim Government.

Fiji Times Publisher Expulsion
The Pacific Concerns Resource Centre's (PCRC) Peter Emberson is the latest voice condemning the expulsion of Fiji Times publisher Australian Rex Gardner. In a separate post, I called the expulsion unwise but it does bear repeating that the FT defendants admitted guilt and the judge, generously, did not pass sentence on Gardner only because of its visa and work permit implications. Emberson called the expulsion "appalling" but the accusation can only apply to the severity of the judgements, not the judgments themselves.The FT abused its privileged position, and broke the law, not for the first time.

Employers concerned about new minimum wages
Surpise! Surprise!

The Sunday Ban - Revived
Village chief Isei Vosadrau of Cawaro, Udu Point, has banned Sunday travel because villagers are leaving church early to catch boats. Methodist President Awe Tugawe said that while "work" was not allowed on the Sabbath, this did not apply to visiting the sick, travel and helping the poor. Rev Akuila Yabaki, Citizen's Constitutional Forum (CCF), said the right to freedom of travel had been violated and he was appalled at a ban which forced people to attend church. The incident brings to mind the infamous Sunday Bans of the early 1990s when the Rabuka government included Fijian nationalist and religious extremists, not unlike the situation with the Qarase government. It serves as a further warning of the dangers of linking church to state.

Our human prejudices overwhelm the universality of our religious teachings. We use it to denigrate and demean each other. The way of the cross is love, forbearance, forgiveness, compassions and gentleness ... It is a quantum leap to apply these tactics to advocating a Christian State or to demonise other faiths.
Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, Fiji Times, April 2006

Commonwealth Urges Local Government Elections
The Commonwealth Local Government Forum has urged the Interim Government to hold municipal elections no later than October. This followed the Government's dismissal last week of all municipal council preceding a "clean up campaign." An earlier review report had recommended councillors stay in office until a new election, and that mayors be elected by voters, not councillors. It was hoped this provision would meet Government's concern at the amount of party politics in municipal affairs. ( For more information on Fiji local government, see Walsh: An Encyclopaedic Atlas, pp384-387, and www.unescap.org/huset/lgstudy/country/fiji/fiji.html and www.answers.com/topic/fiji-municipal-elections-2005)

President's Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF)
The Forum, proposed by the President last year, will be facilitated by the Commonwealth and UN, with Forum representatives invited. The Forum is likely to be held soon, following a meeting of all political parties to discuss its terms of reference and an agenda. Electoral reform and the adoption of a new political system will be high on the agenda. The announcment would be good news except that PM Bainimarama has reservations inviting parties strongly critical of the People's Charter and electoral reform, and former PM Qarase and his SDL party insist there should be no pre-conditions. Bainimarama, he said, should come to the meeting with an "open mind." (One might add, and so should Qarase). The PPDF offers a way forward, especially if the international community offers its support, but for the present the signs do not look too promising.

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