Tuilaepa's Women; Bizarre Asylum Appeal; Xinhua in Fiji; Waste and Solar Energy Projects

N249.GOOD OL' TUILAEPA.  Samoa's PM  thinks he's got the right gender balance in his newly appointed cabinet. “We have two female members and 34 male members [in Parliament, and one woman in the 13-member cabinet]...That’s more than enough,” he said.

Meanwhile in the Fiji he so often criticises, the Minister of Women has confirmed that government departments will now be required to supply gender information in all personnel statistical data in order to better monitor progress towards gender equality.

N250. BIZARRE ASYLUM APPEAL. A Fiji Muslim applied for political asylum in the US in 1989 following the 1987 Rabuka coup. The case was deferred for 14 years when a court ordered his deportation on the grounds that conditions in Fiji had improved. That takes us to 2004.

He appealed, and last Friday, some eight years later, a federal judge said immigration officials hadn't considered evidence of the treatment of minorities since the 2006 coup. They had looked only at general conditions in Fiji, not the situation of someone who had been persecuted under a previous military regime. If they had conducted an up-to-date analysis, said the judge, there is a "reasonable likelihood" they would conclude that Ali would face persecution in Fiji. His case has been referred back to the immigration courts for further review.

Jannif Ali, the applicant, said the military forces that overthrew Fiji's government in 1987 had dealt harshly with Fijians of Indian descent.  He testified that a soldier had beaten him with a gun, military forces had vandalized and dynamited his home, and that ethnic Fijians had regularly thrown rocks at his family and car and threatened to rape his wife.

The court was told persecution of Indo-Fijians resumed after the 2000 coup but then receded but "the human rights situation deteriorated greatly" after the 2006 coup.

This should tell us something about how little American courts know about Fiji and how some emigrants use the appeal system to indefinitely extend their stay on false grounds. It is unlikely to be any different with most of those who have applied for political asylum in Australia.

N251. XINHUA, CHINA'S official press agency, now has  a press agency in Suva. The bureau will cover Fiji and nearby South Pacific island countries.  [The North is getting closer!]

N252.WASTE AND SOLAR ENERGY EFFICIENCIES. Two new energy developments will soon bring economic, environmental and social benefits.

The first, the waste-to-energy power plant under construction in Sigatoka will employ about 600 people in the construction phase and about 200 permanent positions in the factory and 4,000 indirectly when it is complete in three years time. "We are talking about rubbish pickers all around Fiji, in the outer islands and resorts. The whole of Fiji will feel the impact as we try and rid Fiji of this problem – rubbish,"  said i-Viti Disenergy Renewable Power Plant Company president Ratu Enesi Yavala.

The other is at Tavua where in three months time solar street lights will replace existing lighting. Fiji's first town, Levuka on the island of Ovalau, is likely to be next on the list. -- Based on No:0673/MOI.

Revise Travel Ban List, MSG Meeting this Week, Corrupt Lawyer, Women Leaders, Rural Electricity and Roadmap, Tourism Record

Scroll down to Weekend Reading and see new Quote for the Week and a link to 

the latest CCF newsletter in the right sidebar

 N0236. TRAVEL BANS, RUGBY SEVENS AND NETBALL. Three members of Fiji Rugby Sevens team are unlikely to obtain visas to take part in the Adelaide Sevens  because they are in the army, and four members of the Fiji Netball team are still waiting for news on their visa applications.  The PM said if Fiji cannot send its best team, it shouldn't send a team at all. His comment follows the Fiji Rugby Union saying it will probably drop its top players after the Hong Kong 7s next weekend because the three are unlikely to get visas to go to the Adelaide tournament. The PM said the FRU  should stop playing politics and fight for the right to send the best team to the IRB-approved tournaments.

In this writer's opinion, if Australia and NZ insist on maintaining the travel bans,they should be targeted at those at the top end of the Fiji government and military services, not at their families, career public servants and the lower ranks of the military. Jobs are not easy to come by in Fiji. If the three Sevens players left the army, they would probably be unemployed, with not even money to look for employment in Australia.  If it would have them.

N0237. TRAVEL BANS AND CAREER CIVILIAN CIVIL SERVANTS. The new Permanent Secretary for I'Taukei Affairs, Savenaca Kaunisela, joined the public service in 1977. He was promoted to Public Service Commission deputy secretary in 2001, and made Commissioner Western in April 2006, under the Qarase government.  He served as High Commissioner to India from December 2007 to December 2010.

Photos: Savenaca Kaunisela (top), Filimoni Kau (bottom)

The new Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimone Kau, joined the public service in 1989. He was promoted to principal information Officer in 1997, senior executive service director in 2000, and human resource management director in 2000. He served as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2003 to 2006. All this took place under the Chaudhry and Qarase governments.

In 2007, after the Bainimarama Coup, he was made Director of Information. In 2008, he was head of the public relations and media team of the National Council for Building a Better Fiji and became acting deputy secretary Ministry of National Planning in January 2009. By November 2010 he was the acting permanent secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources. 

Both three-year positions were widely advertised and both appointees seem to be deserving of their appointments.  -- Based on No.0631/PSC.

Both men are clearly veteran career public servants who had nothing to do with the Bainimarama Coup. And both men — and their families — are on the Australian and NZ travel ban list.

When the Bainimarama government appoints military men to civil service positions (often because qualified civilians, fearful of the travel bans, do not apply) its critics cry foul. When it appoints civilians, they are treated no differently than if they personally had ousted the Qarase government at gun point. Australian and NZ civil servants do not resign when there is a change in government because they are administrators, not political appointees. So also are these Fiji civil servants. They should not be on the travel ban list.

N0238. THE MELANESIAN SPEARHEAD GROUP will meet this week and next under Fiji's chairmanship and with two new observers, Timor Leste and Indonesia, and with Luxembourg as a special guest.  Fiji was due to host the summit last July but the then chair Vanuatu’s prime minister, Edward Natapei, cancelled the meeting, raising concerns about an unelected leader assuming the chairmanship. Some say Australia was involved in Natapei's decision but this was denied by both parties.  Since then, Natapei has been voted out of office clearing the path for Fiji's chairmanship. Meetings at the Vale ni Bose complex in Suva will start this Wednesday with trade and economic officials, followed by senior officials, and the country leaders meetings will start on Thursday 31st.

N0239. CORRUPT LAWYER. Government will soon have a special team to assist prospective investors when they visit Fiji.  This follows an incident where http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=35237 a corrupt lawyer told three Chinese investors who were considering investing in a ship-building and slipway business that he knew the Prime Minister personally and would be able to process investment papers quickly if they were paid $US20,000 dollars. When he asked for a further $US200,000 the investors became suspicious.

N0240.  ELECTRICITY NOT FOR YAQONA DRINKERS. After five years of effort, Naikalawaca village in Namara, Tailevu, now has electricity that will enable the villagers to make ice to preserve their fish and later to build an ice plant, explore micro-business opportunities. and provide better lighting for children's study than benzene and kerosene lights.

In opening the new $100,000 installation (to which villagers contributed $6,000) the PM challenged villagers to use the electricity for the education of their children, to refrain from using it too much for yaqona consumption and to look at ways of improving their economic well being. Rural electrification, improved water supply and road projects are essential parts of Government's infrastructural reforms.-- Based on No.0675/MOI.

N0241. THIRTY PERCENT OF THE SKY. Governmment is aiming to have women occupy 30% of positions on decision-making bodies, up from the present 17%. Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni told a  Consultation on UN Women’s Global Strategic Plan 2012-13 on Saturday. She said this is the vision; to gain greater respect in society, to strengthen the capacity of women in decision-making and leadership positions,to show they can perform just as well as men, and so gain support for our efforts to increase representation. The Minister noted that Fiji already has a significant number of highly qualified women in academic fields and young women now outnumber young men enrolled in tertiary institutions. -- Based on No.0676/MSWWPA.

N0242. TOURISM RECORD. The latest figures show 631,000 international visitors went to Fiji in 2010, a 16% rise on  the previous year.  Australia still accounts for the about one-half of all foreign visits. Numbers from China, India and Russia are small but growing.

Visitor numbers for January were up from all countries other than Japan, Korea and the UK that showed small decreases. Of the countries with the largest number of visitors, NZ was up 2.7% and Australia 11.4%. On average visitors stayed for 10.9 days.(No:0667/MOI)

In other travel and tourist related news, Continental Airlines will cancel its service to Nadi from Guam and Honolulu from September 25th. The airline blames rising fuel prices.

PER, Earthquake, Consumer Council, RNZI Compromised, Women's Centres and FWF

Scroll down for Weekend Reading, especially Rev Akuila Yabaki's paper Critical Engagement and Future Scenarios.  See also new Quote for the Week in the right sidebar.

N207. THE PUBLIC EMERGENCY REGULATIONS, introduced in April 2009 and extended on a month-to-month basis since, have again been extended until March 15  — when I would expect them to be again extended. Readers will know that I have very mixed feelings on PER: they inhibit the dialogue and citizen participation that is very much needed, but if the death, assassination, revenge and bomb threats continue, it is hard not to condone their extension.

N208. EARTHQUAKES. Close on the heels of the disastrous Christchurch earthquake that took an estimated 180 lives and from which it will take ten years to completely recover comes the far more disastrous Japanese earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant leakage. PM Bainimarama says Fiji is ready to provide what assistance it can. “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and with the men and women struggling to save those still entrapped in the rubble.”

N209. CONSUMER REPORT EXPECTED TODAY. Consumer Council CEO Premila Kuma says the "Fair Financial Services" report will be launched today. She said the reason for focusing on financial services for this year's World Consumer Day is because the conduct and trade practices of banks have for long been a matter of public debate.

In 1998, a six-member Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry into Financial Services was established and their main areas of focus were high fees, charges and interest rates, and poor service delivery by banks.The enquiry's report, published in a parliamentary paper in February 1999, indicated widespread public dissatisfaction and number of recommendations were made but since then little has changed. The Book will be launched tomorrow by the Trade Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum.

N210. RADIO NZ INTERNATIONAL TOTALLY COMPROMISED. Radio NZ International claims to broadcast news not opinion but when its news is so obviously selective and  biased my view is that it is opinion, biased opinion. It gathers its "news" from a small pool of biased journalists and ignores other sources.

Take its recent report on the planned 14 Women's Centres. Normally RNZI would not report anything so mundane but armed with the solicited opinion of FemlinkPacific's Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, who in response to their phone call,  said she wondered where the money was coming from, it became news.   Sharon said she hoped the buildings would be used, that the programmes would involve "women’s interest offices" that have the resources for information, communication, dissemination. And she hoped "women of all ethnicities will be able to access the centres once they’re operating." I find her response incredible. 

She seemed quite unaware of the Centres despite the fact they were announced by Dr Jiko Luveni, the Minister of Women, over a year ago, and one is already in operation barely ten kilometres from where she lives. One has to ask why  RNZI phoned an uninformed person to comment when they could as easily have phoned the Ministry of women.  If they were really up with the play on Fiji, they could also have read my report on the Centres, published on September 27th last year, that is reprinted below. It is fact not opinion and it answers all the questions Sharon did not address.   

N211. THE FIJI WOMEN'S FEDERATION (reprinted from September 27, 2010). Approved by Cabinet last year, the FWF is an important unit in the Department of Women, which advises the Minister for Women on national issues concerning development and works in partnership with women's NGOs to achieve a coordinated approach to programme implementation. Unlike many umbrella women's organizations in the past, the FWF is open to all races.

Most FWF activities are based on centres and involve a great deal of self-help supplemented by government assistance.  Eight centres should be built by the end of this year and 14, one for each province, by 2014.  The women's husbands and male relatives build the centres; government provides the money for materials. The elected

president of each centre sits on an advisory committee at the Ministry.

The centres also work closely with divisional planning offices to identify the needs of women specific to their communities, and training is provided in capacity building, alternative livelihoods, and other activities to help generate income for the women

The Advisory Committee is charged with the implementation of government's Women’s Plan of Action (WPA) 2010 to 2019 that spells out five priority areas for the development and advancement of women:

1. Formal sector employment and livelihoods
2. Equal Participation in decision-making 3. Elimination of violence against women
4. Access to services (Health and HIV/AIDS, education and other basic services)
5. Women and the Law.

FWF informs women about the international Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against

Women (CEDAW); its centres are places of informal education and shared experiences, and training grounds, perhaps, for women's greater involvement in politics.

When I met the Minister of Women, Dr Jiko Luveni, in June, she told me of government actions to empower women, and said: "For years we've been waiting for this."  This spoke words for a woman who initially was opposed to the Bainimarama government and whose husband was a member of former PM Qarase's SDL party.

For readers and organizations in Fiji that would like to know more about the FWF, email the Secretariat at   rtavakaturaga@yahoo.com -- Based, in part, on 2010 No:1415/MOI.

Women: Holding Up Half the Sky

N0200. FOURTEEN NEW WOMEN'S CENTRES. Speaking at the International Women’s Day celebration in Bua, PM Bainimarama said Government has approved the building of women centres in the 14 provinces and semi-urban settlements which will act as the hub to establish the infrastructure for empowerment of women through the enhancement of leadership and programme management skills.

Bainimarama said the representation of women in boards and committees is progressing. “Since 2008, for example, more than 300 women, mostly in rural areas, have become members of Hospital boards" and there are now almost a thousand  female students are enrolled in tertiary institutions around the country under various government scholarship schemes.

The PM urged all women to make use of the educational, vocational, training and income generating programs facilitated by Government, and advance the rights of women by taking advantage of this period of reform to shape a better future for the women of Fiji.

He went further to say that it is with this vision to strengthen the collaborative approach to socio-economic development that Cabinet in 2009 approved the establishment of the Fiji Women’s Federation to co-ordinate the programmes and the activities of interested women NGOs to achieve gender equality and empowerment of women. “The Federation will also bridge the gap between the Department for Women and NGOs.”

N0201. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. Domestic violence remains an issue of concern in Fiji and more work needs to be done to ensure that the Domestic Violence Decree is effectively implemented.

Former High Court Judge, Nazhat Shameem, said while huge steps have been taken in the recent past to implement the Domestic Violence and Crimes Decrees, the fact remains that historically domestic violence has been under-reported.

Shameem said around the world, this has been the trend, due to forced reconciliation and institutionalized sexism.The good news is that the decree is in effect and the people of the country and all those involved in the legal system should ensure that it is properly implemented for the benefit of everyone. She hoped the women's NGOs would also play an active role in the implementation of the decree to protect the victims of domestic violence.

In a separate statement, the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre said the recorded number of domestic violence cases for January and February (167) has increased compared to last year (154).

Deputy FWCC Coordinator, Edwina Kotoisuva, said the severity of violence is something that should not be taken lightly and the community as a whole needs to get involved. Kotoisuva said it is important that when women want to access justice, they are able to do so through a system that is supportive and sensitive.

N0203. VIOLENCE NOR RECONCILABLE. High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar has reminded police and judicial officers that under the Domestic Violence Decree promulgated last September domestic violence offences are no longer reconcilable.  He was referring to a case where the Magistrates Court had terminated proceedings when a man charged with assault causing actual bodily harm for assaulting his wife had had reconciled with his wife and wished to continue his relationship with her.

Justice Goundar said it seemed to him "there is a lack of commitment to enforce the law by the law enforcement officers" that defeated the clear objectives of the Decree.

"Judicial experience," he said,  "has shown that women do not have equal bargaining power as their spouses. They are forced to reconcile in domestic violence cases because of cultural and social constraints placed on them."

People's Charter Pillar 1: For Discussion

My thanks to the reader who suggested a regular weekly posting on each of the eleven pillars of the People's Charter that will enable all readers to consider each pillar carefully, offer their opinions and comment on what has been done —and what yet needs to be done—to implement them. Here in the first week is Pillar 1. Please use the opportunity to comment and exchange opinions with other readers. Please try to comment over the next seven days. Pillar 2 will be published next Saturday.

---- N192A ----

Postscript. I have added Chapter 1 of the State of the Nation paper 

on the recommended electoral reforms  at the end of Pillar 1.

PEOPLE'S CHARTER

PILLAR I

ENSURING SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY AND GOOD

AND JUST GOVERNANCE¹

Critical Problems and Issues:

A fair and just Constitution is the basis of good governance. However, a Constitution that divides the people and separates them, which does not provide for equal opportunities, can be neither fair nor just. The world community, in declarations and treaties expressing the highest ideals, has opposed racism and injustice. We the people of Fiji are all too aware of the harm racial division has to our country. We declare, through this Peoples Charter, our commitment to a Fiji free from all forms of discrimination.

Democracy must be entrenched in our Constitution in accord with our pledge to rebuild a Better Fiji for All: one nation, one people with a common identity and shared destiny.

NZ Paints Itself into Corner, Fijian 'Refugees', Taxi Union, Typhoid, Empowering Rural Women

N0145. NZ PAINTS  ITSELF INTO A CORNER.  This note from a reader:

"Why on earth we have allowed ourselves to be painted into a corner on Fiji I have no idea.  It would be naive to assume that when some sort of accommodation is reached and the rhetoric has it that we can return to 'normal' relations that relations will return to normal. 

It seems to me that both Fijians and a number of Pacific Islands governments and peoples will have watched the reaction to Fiji with a certain unease.  New Zealand realises that it gets huge support from the 14 Pacific Islands votes in the United Nations.  At the moment Fiji will be absent.  Who knows how PNG would vote and there will be one of two others perhaps who may fall into the 'false friends' camp.  That is, as I see it."



N0146. FIJIAN 'REFUGEES' SHOULD BE ASHAMED. Fijians who have been rejected as refugees to Australia are now appealing against rulings at a rate second only to Chinese citizens, 11% compared with 29%. Some 243 Fijians applied for review last financial year, compared with 59 the previous year.The number has fallen this year. Of course, the number of appeals is related to the number that have been refused refugee status, and it would seem Australia refuses most Fiji applications.

One wonders why we hear nothing about Fijian refugee applications, refusal and appeals in NZ. One wonders also whether the activities in Australia of Tui Savu and the Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement have scared Australia's ethnic Fijians into really believing their lives would be at risk if they returned to Fiji, or whether the appeals are a last ditch attempt to stay in the land of Oz.

Anti-Government blogs hold the Fiji military responsible for nine deaths, five following the mutiny in 2000 (six years before the Bainimarama coup); the remainder quite unrelated to political activities. Those seeking asylum should note that three former prime ministers, all hostile to the Bainimarama government, walk freely in Fiji. They should pluck up courage and return to Fiji — or at least be honest. Life in Australia is easier. And as one appeal fails, they can appeal again, and again, and their stay is extended for many more months.

N0147. PM ADVISES TAXI UNION. Speaking at the Fiji Taxi Union's AGM, the PM  has urged members to come up with a unified position -—like their counterparts in the Fiji Bus Operators Association— to facilitate solutions.

He said Government measures to assist the industry such as concessions on the import of LPG/CNG vehicles, the reduction in duty of vehicles up to 2500cc and the increased focused and resourcing of the Fiji police force, and longer term, policies to increase wages, to grow the economy by way of tourism and robust economic activity will all directly contribute towards increased business activity for taxi operators. Government recognizes the importance of the taxi sector and looks to the Fiji taxi union to co-operate with all the stakeholders to ensure a new look and viable taxi industry that has modern cars and has operators and drivers who are Fiji and customer focused. Bainimarama assured members that Government will work with the union to find fair and creative solutions to address the industry's problems.

N0148. TYPHOID. To put the record straight, The "outbreak" claimed by one anti-Govt blog is confined to the villages of Nasava, Narokorokoyawa, Korovou and Sawanikula in Wainimala, inland Naitasiri. The villages were placed under curfew after ten villagers were hospitalised. The number  remains at ten. A major vaccination  programme was conducted last year in high risk outbreak areas but villagers still need to practise better hygiene. Health Ministry spokesman Peni Namotu said clinical, environmental and awareness approaches are being used to tackle the problem. Fiji has one of the highest rates of typhoid fever in the region with regular outbreaks occurring mainly in remote areas.

N0149. EMPOWERING RURAL WOMEN. Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Minister Dr Jiko Luveni is on the island of Ovalau this week visiting ten villages where she will listen to women's difficulties and the ways Government can help them. She will inform them of Government’s plans and achievements especially those that relate to them as outlined in the Roadmap for Democracy Sustainable Socio-Economic Development (2009 to 2014).

Her trip is part of Government's  outreach programme that is aimed at empowering rural women financially and socially.  -- Based on 2011, No:0449/MWSPA.

Women in Fiji Society

By Madam Justice Nazhat Shameem

        I accepted this invitation to address you at this important occasion with some trepidation.  Firstly because I knew that I had to exercise great caution to avoid talking about anything that is, or is likely to be before the court.  Given the current eagerness of the legal profession and other groups to bring litigation before the courts, that does not leave me with much to talk about.  Secondly, the sights and sounds of judges speaking their minds in public have become a growth industry in the last year.  I do not want to join the gang and add to the controversy.  One of my colleagues told me very unkindly that I cannot avoid controversy, it seems to dog my steps wherever I go.  So be it.  If I am to be controversial, so long as I avoid the pending litigation hurdle, then at least tonight I am enjoying the experience, surrounded by women of intelligence and concern for society.  The women of the Soroptimist International Club.

Teaching Men and Boys by Sharon Bhagwan Rolls*

On the eve of World Human Rights Day, listeners to the suitcase radio broadcast on 89.2FM in Labasa were reminded that faith based organizations and men are key partners in championing the cause of non-violence:

EU to Engage, Kisan Sangh Supports Sugar Reforms, More Fiji Water, Rural Development, Soqosoqo Vakamarama Welcomes Funding

EU WILLING TO ENGAGE ON ROADMAP. The European Union has indicated its willingness to engage more with Fiji on its Roadmap for the Return to Democracy in 2014,  according to  Fiji’s ambassador to Brussels Peceli Vocea, who said a letter outlining the EU’s position has been signed by Catherine Ashton, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commissioner Development Andris Piebalgs.

“That’s a very interesting development." he said. "I think a letter was just sent to Fiji signed by the Commissioner Development, and Catherine Ashton, that they are looking forward to working with Fiji on the roadmap – with regards processes Fiji may need to put in place for 2014.” He described the letter as a very important gesture, and a very important development for Fiji with the EU.


FIJI'S OLDEST UNION SUPPORTS GOVT REFORMS. The Fiji Kisan Sangh (Farmers'Union) has called on cane growers to get together and support government’s plan to reform the sugar industry. Sangh national general secretary Pundit Om Prakash reiterated PM Bainimarama’s earlier statement to farmers that too much political interference in the past caused the downfall of the sugar industry. With an allocation of $123m set aside for the sugar industry Pundit Prakash says this clearly indicates how much government is committed to reviving the industry.

Pundit Prakash has also welcomed the $6m allocated for the cane replanting program saying that farmers should be thankful and work hard to make full use of this initiative. He says farmers can also be rest assured that things will run smoothly within the FSC as government has indicated it will monitor the income and expenditure of the company from next year.

Kisan Sangh was the first farmers' union formed in Fiji in 1937. The Wikipedia entry is well worth reading, just in case we forget the Colonial Sugar Refining Company.

FIJI WATER.  A reader thinks I erred in linking to the Sydney Morning Herald article on Fiji Water without further comment. He wrote: "You start it with I didn't know that Fiji Water had 'paid less than $F1 million in total corporate tax since its inception, and received up to $F5 million UNDERLINE a year in value-added tax refunds for its export sales.' A valid point, he says, but I should have said they were given a 12-year corporate tax exemption when they set up. Nor did I mention "the reason they get their VAT back is that they are the country’s most successful exporter and they are complying with one of this very Government’s policy to encourage exports. A plan that has worked spectacularly well in the case of Fiji Water. You do not mention the royalty they pay to Yaqara ...the millions in duty [and] PAYE they pay, [and] the millions they make in FNPF contributions."  I hope this redresses my omissions.

RURAL GOOD WORKS. Works Ministry spokesperson Sainiana Waqainabete said this government is committed to improving the lives of people living in rural areas by providing them with proper infrastructure. Developments taking place include major upgrading of roads, electricity and water provision, focusing in the immediate future on Labasa, Tailevu and Nadroga.  She said there are indications that some people who have migrated to urban areas return to their villages once proper roads, electricity and piped water are supplied.

SOQOSOQO VAKAMARAMA has applauded the increased 2011 budget allocation for the Women’s Plan of Action 2010-2019.  General secretary Adi Finau Tabakaucoro said the increase of $50,000 in the Budget and the allocation of $160,000 for the Fiji Women’s Federation, to total $1.6m, reflect on the government’s commitment  to the development of women in the country. The allocations will help more women to start micro-enterprise businesses and income-generating projects to reduce poverty, especially in rural areas.

Adi Finau said "Government is doing its part. It’s providing the resources and facilitating development initiatives and reforms are resulting in several changes for the better. Now the responsibility rests on the communities, the NGOs and the civil society to play their part to ensure the aims of the Government particularly those outlined in the Roadmap for the Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development 2009 to 2014 is being fulfilled.” -- Based on 2010, No:2103/MWSS.

Melanesia and Fiji, Women and Violence, Rumours Disintegrate, Unions and the Budget, Investor Environment, Street Solar Lighting

MSG APOLOGY AND FIJI-SOLOMON CO-OPERATION. Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) special envoy, Patterson Oti, met with  Foreign Affairs Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, yesterday to discuss the reconciliation ceremony scheduled for December 15 to 17 in Honiara. The ceremony is for Vanuatu Prime Minister, Mr Edward Natapei to offer his apology to Fiji. Mr Natapei, who was the MSG chairman, refused to attend July's MSG summit in Fiji where he was to hand over the chairmanship position to Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama. This led to the cancellation of the summit.

Mr Oti's delegation  also met with the Attorney General and Minister for Industry and Trade Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum for discussions on cooperation and collaboration on trade and investment, and Fiji's Commerce Commission, the Consumer Council and labour laws.

WOMEN SAY NO TO VIOLENCE. More than 400 women will march to the Suva City Council foreshore today to mark the official launching of the 16 Days of Activism on the elimination of violence against women and children. Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni said she had seen alarming statistics of violence against women and children in the recent past and there needs to be a concerted effort to curb it.

The programme launched today will end with the Human Rights Day on December 10. Dr Luveni is calling on people from all walks of life to join  in celebrating this day as we all need to work together to eliminate violence in our society.”

Department of Women director, Mrs Salote Radrodro, said the ministry had organised training with police officers to raise the level of awareness about the Domestic Violence and Child Welfare Decree. They also want  people to report cases of domestic violence by ringing 919 and 917.The ministry hopes to be able to declare communities violence-free. So far Koroipita in Lautoka and Vatutavui have been declared violence-free, and next week another village in Ra,  Namuimada, will follow suit. -- Based on 2010, No: 1988/MOI.summit. --  2010, No: 1990/MOI.

MORE ON THE RUMOURS.  A reader 4.5 cents in the dollar left this comment in answer to another reader who thought we should apologize to the anti-government blog CoupFourPointfive:

"I'm sorry. I must have missed something. Which reports emanating from Coup4.5 have turned out to be true? That Frank Bainimarama is seriously ill? I've just heard him saying he's alive and well enough to play in the Rugby World Cup next year. That the so-called new order is crumbling and Frank's fellow officers are preparing for the next? Oh yeah, plenty of evidence of that up at the camp. Not. That Frank and Aiyaz have been arrested? Oh, that was a beauty. That Frank is too scared to go to India because of what he did to Mahen? Wow, amazing. And today, that Suvavou House is on fire? Oh, but sorry, just one office on the second floor and it's not as bad as we thought. And so it goes on. Can someone tell me one thing that was true? Oh, Harry Dugdale called Frank a dickhead. Oh, David Roth had lunch with Roko Ului. Just so much yabber, yabber, yabber and blah, blah,blah. They should give up over at that miserable cyber dump and so should you. Fancy having the cheek to come over here to say "we told you so" and demand an apology. More front than MH's. Coup 4.5. Natural home of the unsubstantiated rumour and propaganda lie. Certainly - after Solivakasama - the most dodgy reception on the Coconut Radio dial. Credibility? Zero. Deserving of an apology? #*#* off!"

UNIONS EXPECTS A TIGHT BUDGET. The Fiji Trades Union Congress expects a tight 2011 budget tomorrow in line with government’s policy of living within its means. National President Daniel Urai  says ordinary people will want to see a further reduction in prices of basic food items, electricity charges, and an increase in wages. However the FTUC understands that the budget will have to work within the parameters of the finances available to government. Urai says government is also expected to spend a lot of money on education, infrastructure and health services while improving the tourism and sugar industry.

IMPROVING THE INVESTOR ENVIRONMENT. Speaking from China on Tuesday the PM said that Budget preparations were progressing well. An important focus will be on "improving efficiency in various regulatory bodies including FIRCA ... Turn around times and clear and transparent rules are imperative to improve business, investor and public confidence" and unnecessary "bureaucracy will be removed to enhance reforms."

"It is essential to remove bureaucracy and engage the services of capable personnel even if it means recruitment of expatriates, if that’s what has to be done to bring reforms, then the government will proceed,” he said.The PM's criticism of ineffective government services comes on the heels of talks held both in China and Fiji that highlighted the need to improve the service delivery of government bodies."If we are to attract investment, we must have the right environment and attitude to facilitate these investors."  -- Based on 2010, No:1977/MOI.

TOWNS TO GO SOLAR. Ministry of Local Government director, Mr Josese Rakuita, Government is committed to reducing fuel consumption by installing solar-powered street lights at local municipalities.Businesses have been invited to show expressions of interest  for the supply and installation of 70, 80 and 125 watt solar streetlights. The solar system will be installed in Tavua as early as next year. The town was selected to trial the project because of the sunnier weather in the West.The installation, which will cost around $7000 including power poles, will indicate likely saving in terms of fuel consumption.  Other Western and Northern towns will follow.  -- Based on 2010, No: 1986/MOI.

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IDs, Asian Links, 'Doom and Gloom', Tourism, Domestic Violence, New FNU Campus

NEW QUOTES FOR THE WEEK. SUGAR QUESTION ON NA SALA CAVA. Right sidebar.

NATIONAL ID CARD PROPOSAL. The suggestion by Ministry of Defence and National Security Senior Official Joji Washington that Fiji should introduce an national ID card was always going to raise eyebrows. There's no question it would "strengthen the work of law enforcement, immigration, customs, bio-security, border police, AFL security, airline security, port security and outsourced security personnel." It may also prove to be efficient for the general public.

Singapore has had compulsory ID cards for many years and while they seem not to be been misused by the authorities, it could be that people have just got used to having them.  It's handy having only one number to remember for tax, pension, wages, driving, voting, travel and other arrangements. Similar suggestions have surfaced in New Zealand over the years but they have always been opposed by the civil liberties lobby who argued that liberty is more important than efficiency.

In Fiji we can expect similar arguments. Could this efficiency be misused by Fiji authorities? The answer is obviously yes. Few would quibble with a card that will help detection of illicit activities and assist in police investigations. The problem is with its possible use to monitor opponents of the government. But it's more complicated than that. Monitoring activities that could result in civil disorder, threats of violence, bomb scares and assassinations (and all of these have happened) would, I think, be accepted as legitimate uses, but monitoring what in other countries are seen as normal political activities most definitely would  not.

But how to draw the line? Joji Washington talks as if the card is more than a proposal, and I've little doubt his suggestion will appeal to government.  But if it does, mechanisms must be put in place to ensure proper use. There must be checks on who can access information on the cards, and for what purposes. Appeal to the courts must be assured in the event of misuse. My advice for what it's worth would be not to go ahead with the proposal.  Coming in the wake of the telephone and cellphone registrations and delays in lifting PER, it will send out the wrong vibes.  Its negative reception overseas is assured (Michael Field has already started the ball rolling)  but if I were in government,  I'd be more concerned about the sense of unease among Fiji law-abiding citizens. It is possibly, with further study,  a good idea for the future –  but for the present, I think it would produce more  loses than gains.

The cards will contain a micro-chip containing personal bio-data, picture, fingerprint, passport system, ID number, and barcodes for TIN and LTA watch list verification.   For Michael Field's abnormally "even-handed" account, click here. His pilot fish blogger associates will join him soon. And this is TVNZ's balanced coverage.

AS WE WENT TO PRESS: 
GOVERNMENT BEGINS NATIONAL ID CONSULTATION "The Ministry of Defence, National Security and Immigration has begun consultations on the proposed national identification  card. Senior government officials of various departments and ministries took part in a consultation this morning on the way forward. Permanent Secretary for Defence, National Security and Immigration, Mr Jale Fotofili says Government believes there is a need for a national ID card. “We made a presentation to Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama on the issue, he has accepted the idea despite other issues pertaining to its implementation,” Mr Fotofili said. “These ID cards, once in place, will expedite the elections within a day – and thus the reason to carry out the exercise.” he says.  He said that all ministries and departments must be consulted before the project was implemented. -- 2010 No: 1711/MOI. 
[Ed. note: Consultations are needed far beyond ministries and departments. What do the genral public think? And if election efficiency is the issue, there is no hurry.  It's far more important to publish the Roadmap. The  ID would only be issued to future voters and the information contained would be limited.]


PM SLATES NAYSAYERS. The PM  has berated "the same group of people who continue to criticize everything the government does." They say nothing positive, everything is doom and gloom.  They influence many people, including the overseas media. He wonders why the media listen to these "same old critics rather than making their own assessments on the situation on the ground in Fiji" and whether "they really know what has been happening to the economy over the years." Many things were not functioning and the country was going nowhere with the way things were done in the past. Roads were not being constructed, electricity was not being connected to rural areas, and not much development work was carried out in the past, but his government was now changing this.

The PM said the critics should know that he is not bothered by what they are saying because he is focused on implementing the social, political, electoral and economic reforms that will bring true democracy in Fiji before the next elections.

Speaking at the launch of a new electricity power service at Natoaika Village in rural Naitasiri,  he said people are being mislead into thinking "everything was okay in the past. He told the villagers that while his government is not an elected one, it is working  hard and has a definitive plan to hand over a better Fiji to a new government in 2014. He called on people not to be swayed by the lies that are spread through by those working to undermine his government.

'Pacific Plate' Moves North

Three short items that support Prof Herr's contention that Australian (and NZ) policies are not helping them to maintain their influence—and business— in the South Pacific.

PACIFIC BROTHERHOOD. Meeting with "interested investors" from China and Singapore this week, the PM urged them to consider opportunities in other South Pacific island countries. “When you invest in Fiji also look at opportunities in Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. We do not want to be just the leader but we want to move forward together with our Pacific neighbours.” -- Based on 2010 No:1670/MFA.


SINGAPORE TRADE OFFICE. Fifteen visiting Singapore business people have urged the PM
to open a trade office in Singapore. “We would love to have one trade office in Singapore because of our strategic location and it will help the Fiji Government in its look north policy,” said one of them.

CONFUCIUS, RENMINBI, WEAPONS, HIGH LEVEL CHINESE VISIT. The Chinese and Fiji foreign ministers meeting in Beijing this week discussed a wide range of bilateral exchanges, cooperation and other issues. China will be establishing a Confucius Institute in Fiji and will explore the notion also of establishing sister cities with some of China’s fast growing metropolitan cities. Ratu Inoke  acknowledged the Chinese authorities’ desire to extend assistance to improve public service excellence by offering places to the Fiji Public Service Commission for training opportunities of Fiji’s senior civil servants in the China Executive Leadership Academy in Shanghai.

The duo also discussed the possibility of including the Chinese fast growing currency; the (Renminbi) RMB, into the basket of Fiji’s trading currencies. “This initiative will assist tremendously in facilitating Fiji’s trade with China and is also part of Fiji’s Look North Policy,” Ratu Inoke said. Further, Fiji is now
seriously looking at the prospect of purchasing weapons from Chinese manufacturers to assist Fiji’s effort in participation in UN Peacekeeping and Peace building Missions. Foreign Minister Yang confirmed that he would like to formally visit Fiji in the near future and advised on the necessity of building strong political and bilateral relation founded on mutual respect and trust. -- Based on 2010
No:1669/MFA.

************

ALL IS NOT 'GLOOM AND DOOM'. Permanent Secretary for Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation Govind Sami said Prof Waden Narsey's 'gloom and doom’predictions told only part of the story. He said his Ministry continues to target rural areas that receive 70% of their poverty alleviation funding. To lay blame on the 2006 Coup and to ignore the negative impacts of Australian,New Zealand and the EU was "misplaced. “The sugar industry earnings were always likely to nosedive after the decision by EU to take away subsidies and the failure of the mill administration to moderise, improve rolling stock and rationalisation of operations were thwarted by politicians." -- Based on 2010 No:1667/MOI.

VISITOR ARRIVALS for May were up nearly 10,000 more compared with the same month last year. This represented an increase of 24.9% to 47,062 when compared to 37,666.  Most visitors were from Australia, about 22,941, a 48.7% increase,followed by New Zealand with 7,070,  an increase of 15%.  -- Based on 2010 No:1674/MOI.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. Last month Shamima Ali of the the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre claimed people were unaware of Government's Domestic Violence Decree 2009. The Attorney General and Minister for Justice Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum denied this claim but in response has announced another workshop on the Decree's implementation. Other workshops have already been conducted for the police, prosecutors, NGO’s and the judiciary. The new workshop to be chaired by former High Court Judge Madam Nazhat Shameem  will be held at Suvavou House next Thursday 21st. An invitation has been extended to the Minister for Women and her Permanent Secretary, the Solicitor General, the DPP, the Chief Justice, the Chief Registrar, the Chief Magistrate, the Family Court Judge, the Commissioner of Police and representatives of all relevant non-government organisations for women.

FNU $40m NADI CAMPUS. The PM opened Fiji National University's new $40m Nadi campus last week, saying that the extension to the West makes tertiary and vocational education more accessible to all income groups. With its proximity to major tourism destinations and Nadi international airport it will offer specialized courses in hospitality and aviation. The PM hoped the hospitality training would provide the "opportunity for many of the hotel properties, who hitherto have not done so, to use Fijians in senior management positions." Other specialised courses planned include landscaping and horticulture, and centres are planned for Tavua, Rakiraki, Ba and Sigatoka. Some 5,000 students will be enrolled at the Nadi campus.

Swinstead's Fiji Times, Grassroots Women's Federation, Closer Pacific Ties with Fiji

ANONYMOUS COMMENTS are still not being published.
SEE NEW QUOTE FOR THE WEEK. Right sidebar.

JOKE OF THE WEEK. A few days ago the anti-government blogs reported that Col. Pita Driti had arrested Bainimarama and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. One called it an early Christmas present.  Before heading overseas late last week the unarrested Bainimarama appointed Col. Driti acting commander of the military. The A-G is still out of the country.

NEW FIJI TIMES PUBLISHER EXPLAINS HIS POSITION. ABC interviewer Geraldine Coutts   asked the Times's new publisher Dallas Swinstead (photo)  how he was going to handle free speech. Swinstead:

"Freedom of speech - my original answer was my parents gave me a pretty fair idea of what you can say and get away with, and when you stepped out of line and they ran the show they knocked you over. So, I mean, I don't like that happening. I am tenacious, but I am a good mediator and a facilitator, and I will be trying to talk to people in government to lead them to understand how valuable a free and open press is. But look, it is a developing country with lots of problems and I am sympathetic to them and I am not angry about censorship or anything else. That's life. 

Local Motibhai Group bought the paper from Rupert Murdoch's News Ltd last week. Motibhai Chairman Mahendra Patel said: "The Fiji Times will operate as an independent separate unit. Dallas Swinstead and his staff are the people that will fashion the editorial content of the paper. We will not interfere with that. The staff are empowered to operate and run independently – of course we will be there to guide, but we will not interfere.”   Read also the Cafe Pacific story.

THE FIJI WOMEN'S FEDERATION. Approved by Cabinet last year, the FWF is an important unit in the Department of Women, which advises the Minister for Women on national issues concerning development and works in partnership with women's NGOs to achieve a coordinated approach to programme implementation. Unlike many umbrella women's organizations in the past, the FWF is open to all races.

Most FWF activities are based on centres and involve a great deal of self-help supplemented by government assistance.  Eight centres should be built by the end of this year and 14, one for each province, by 2014.  The women's husbands and male relatives build the centres; government provides the money for materials. The elected president of each centre sits on an advisory committee at the Ministry.

The centres also work closely with divisional planning offices to identify the needs of women specific to their communities, and training is provided in capacity building, alternative livelihoods, and other activities to help generate income for the women

The Advisory Committee is charged with the implementation of government's Women’s Plan of Action (WPA) 2010 to 2019 that spells out five priority areas for the development and advancement of women:

1. Formal sector employment and livelihoods
2. Equal Participation in decision-making 3. Elimination of violence against women
4. Access to services (Health and HIV/AIDS, education and other basic services)
5. Women and the Law.

FWF informs women about the international Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); its centres are places of informal education and shared experiences, and training grounds, perhaps, for women's greater involvement in politics.

When I met the Minister of Women, Dr Jiko Luveni, in June, she told me of government actions to empower women, and said: "For years we've been waiting for this."  This spoke words for a woman who initially was opposed to the Bainimarama government and whose husband was a member of former PM Qarase's SDL party.

For readers and organizations in Fiji that would like to know more about the FWF, email the Secretariat at   rtavakaturaga@yahoo.com -- Based, in part, on 2010 No:1415/MOI.

AFTER NATADOLA,  PACIFIC CO-OPERATION. Following on from the Natadola meeting (see report on  communique) that was held in place of the abandoned Melanesian Spearhead Group in June, several Pacific Island countries have expressed interest in closer relations with Fiji. Tuvalu, the first to sign a MOU, is now joined by Kiribati, and expressions of interest have also been received from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.

The memorandum of understanding was signed when the Kiribati President the Fiji PM were in New York for the 65th session of the UN General Assembly. Broad areas of co-operation include education, medicine, and fisheries. The PM will deliver Fiji's national statement during the general debate session of the Assembly.



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