The Lies of March, UN Move to China, USP Cuts Income, New Churches, Jailed For Heeding Lawyer, A Compliment, RBF Reddy Resigns

WEEKEND READING  ♦Allen Lockington column ♦ Gerald McGhie on The Vexed Question of External Aid  ♦ Graham Reid's second article on his Fiji visit  ♦ Teaching Men and Boys by Sharon Bhagwan Rolls  ♦ The 2011 Budget: Claims and Counterclaims.

CANCELLATION OF MARCH. The annual Coalition of Human Rights march planned for tomorrow in Suva has been cancelled because of a warning to American citizens from the US Embassy that the march could be used by anti-government elements and become unruly. The planned march was of women, children and families to show their support for human rights.

The Ministry of Information blamed the American Embassy of causing confusion by issuing an alert based on an "anonymous blog which suggesting the march was not going to be a peaceful one."

The MOI does not normally "react to this type of information because it has proven time and again to be inaccurate and detrimental to the country. However, on this occasion for reasons unknown,  the American Embassy has chosen to take heed of gossip and rumour rather than seeking to confirm the facts with the Fiji Government." -- Based on 2010, No:2131/MOI.

 "... AN INDOFIJIAN PLUS MARK MANNING." These two people evidently merited special mention by Usaia Waqatairewa of the Australia-based Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement.

He was answering a CoupFourPointFive question on who turned up to last Sunday's FDFM anti-Fiji Governmment march in Sydney where 200 had been anticipated. Waqatairewa said, “About sixty people attended …  mainly indigenous Fijians, part-Europeans and an IndoFijian, plus Mark Manning.”

But a blogger thought the number was closer to 30, or 15 if children were excluded. (see Mark Manning's photo to form your own opinion.) There are an estimated 100,000 people in Australia who were born in Fiji so whether it was 200, 60 or 30 is really immaterial. The march was not well supported.

CoupFourPointFive went on to ask him about the supposed planned march in Suva today. Waqatairewa thought it could attract 10-20,000. He said he didn't know who was organizing it but urged the SDL and Methodist Church to get involved. It now seems likely the anonymous organisers intended to piggyback on the Coalition of Human Rights march.

Waqatairewa said he wasn't concerned about PER. "The regime do not have the resources to arrest and detail [sic!] 10 or 20 thousand people." He thought people could get hurt. “If the Military wants to beat the hell out of them than that is their prerogative,” he said, and then referred to the “thugs in government [and the] animalistic aggressive nature of the security forces and the people illegally in charge such as Khaiyum and Bainimarama.” 

And so it went on, like the ramblings of a deranged man. A big thank you to CoupFourPointFive, for exposing this FDFM lunacy, and for publishing this comment by one of your readers:

"FDFM, stop lying to the people of Fiji ... even those in Australia are not with you ... People like you at FDFM are strong SDL supporters ... It's easy to see how you are campaigning and trying to brainwash the people of Fiji by [getting them] joining in to an unknown march initiated by a Mr Nobody. Please come yourself and stand up with us here in Fiji if you are genuine." 

And the reader who  wrote  in reply to another comment: "Not all i'Taukei support ethno-nationalism as you seem to portray ... You obviously do not work with the grassroots i'Taukei and have no idea of their needs."

FDFM  claims it has serious support in Australia and Fiji. Its latest showings show its support is almost zilch — plus Mark Manning.

PM PROPOSES UN MOVE TO CHINA. The PM  says the US government through the US embassy in Fiji is not fulfilling it's international obligations by failing to give visas to high level Fiji Ministers and officials to attend major international meetings.Denying senior government officials visas is preventing Fiji's voice being heard in important international meetings.I agree for the reasons given yesterday. Tongue-in-cheek, the PM suggested the UN Headquarters be moved to China.

USP REDUCES DEMAND ON GOVERNMENT. The University of the South Pacific will further reduce the money it receives from government. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rajesh Chandra said they voluntarily reduced government’s contribution this year and next year they will reduce the allocation by a further 2% — a saving of $5m for Government in the triennium period of three years.

USP is mainly funded by contributions from its eleven member countries, and Australia and New Zealand. The voluntary reduction is being made because the university's finances are once again in good shape; they think they can be more cost-efficient and still offer quality courses, and because the Fiji Government "is going  through difficult times and its very important for USP to be sensitive to those financial difficulties.”

GROWING CONCERN ABOUT NEW CHURCHES. Pacific Conference of Church General Secretary Fei’loa-ki-tau Tevi  is concerned about the growing number of new churches arriving in Fiji, claiming that  many of them disturb people’s way of life. He also intimated that the new churches were divisive and unconcerned with social and economic issues.

"The fundamental belief of Christianity is social justice in which we should care for the vulnerable and the excluded and the poor and not the rich people," he said. "Your belief as a Christian is more than just praises.

The way you understand yourself as a Christian is more than just every Sunday. I go to church. More churches are coming. Groups and movements and we are not in the business of saying this is ours and you don’t come in , no. What we are saying is to try to improve the lives of people but if you just come in for the sake of building churches and hence having more people and more members, there is no point because you are just doing more harm then doing good.”

Similar concerns were echoed by Methodist minister Rev.Navitalai Qerea speaking about villages on the island of Kadavu. He said the "huge number of religious groups in the Kadavu province has caused a lot of differences and weakened traditional relationships among the people." he called on church leaders to strengthen relationships with the Vanua while maintaining their spiritual beliefs.

JAILED FOR HEEDING LAWYER'S ADVICE. I don't know all the details but on the face of it the jailing of former CEO of FNPF, Olota Rokovunisei, for not turning up to court on 30 November on the advice of his lawyer, Kafoa Muaror, is a miscarriage of justice. The lawyer stated in court that he had “instructed his client  not to attend court on November 30 because he was of the understanding that the date was only to allow the defence to file an affidavit. He told Rokovunisei he would only be required in court on December 10.” (Fiji Times, 7 Dec.) The lawyer himself did not appear in court on 3 December when Rokovunisei was sentenced: he was attending the AG’s Conference.

Justice Sithambarampillai Thurairaja remanded Rokovunisei in jail till 1st February when the court will decide on his bail application. This means that he will spend the Festive Season in jail only because he listened to his lawyer's instruction.  If this is the case, the judge jailed the wrong man and Rokovunisei should be released on bail immediately.

A COMPLIMENT FROM A READER. I get some pretty terrible comments from some readers so it's a nice feeling to receive a compliment like this from a NZ reader: 

"Your own blog with its commonsense, knowledge and continuing ability to provide useful information on Fiji is a shining light.  The problem is (if one thinks it's a problem) you probably make people -- particularly the establishment -- feel uneasy."  Reminds me of a Churchill quote: “You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.”

DISQUIET ON REDDY RESIGNATION. Reserve Bank Governor Sada Reddy  has resigned.  Reddy, who has NZ permanent residence where his family lives, worked for the Bank for 35 years, the last 17 as Deputy Governor and Governor.  Deputy Governor Barry Whiteside will act as governor until further notice.

The circumstances of Reddy's resignation are unknown but anti-government blogs (which objected to his appointment in the first place, saying he lacked experience!) accused him of transferring his savings to NZ immediately prior to the devaluation of the Fiji dollar, avoiding a 20% loss. There was also talk that he was not happy about Government's heavy overseas borrowing. Unfortunately, there is no way of confirming or refuting either accusation in an environment where almost every accusation has a political purpose but Reddy, Government and the RBF Board have certainly given no hint of any friction.

In announcing Reddy's resignation, RBF sub-committee chairman Deo Saran said:  "The board sincerely thanks Mr Reddy for his long and distinguished service throughout his time with the Bank and wishes him and his family well for the future."

USA, Fiji and the UN, Vanuatu and the MSG, Chaudhry, 70 New Laws, Sugar

THE PACIFIC MEDIA CENTRE has a new website. http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/ Check it out.

THE US VISA REFUSALS. The US Suva Embassy has clarified this issue.  The visas were not exactly refused; they needed a longer application time. The Embassy said names of key supporters of the coup are  on the Department of State visa watch list, and those on the list have to be cleared by Washington, a process that could take three weeks. There can be no complaint about this. It is the right of all sovereign nations to determine who is allowed to enter — or stay — in their country.  One might have hoped for a better outcome, given Hillary Clinton's promising overtures, but it was not to be.

Some readers have misunderstood my position. I was disappointment with the "decision" but my main concern was the effective denial of access to the United Nations.  The Embassy also addressed this question, saying that "while the US takes seriously its obligations under the UN Charter to facilitate travel to the UN headquarters in New York for participation in meetings – they are not obliged to facilitate travel to meetings that do not fall under the Charter or transit to UN meetings outside of New York."

My point was — and is —  that the United Nations is compromised by this approach. The country hosting all UN-sponsored meetings should not be able to say who will and who will not attend.  The invitations to the Fiji Government officers were from the UN, not the USA. If guests are invited by the owner of the house, they should not be stopped by the butler.  Foreign embassies do not belong to the host country; they belong to the home country.There are a few places in the world, such as the Vatican, and parts of Jerusalem, Mecca, Brussels (EU), Geneva (UN) and New York that are "international." They are special places and should be treated as such.

Some readers said the US was justified because Fiji expelled the Fiji Water CEO. I did not mention this because I did not think the US action was tit-for-tat, and the Embassy clarification bears this out. Yet another warned me I'd be put on the visa watch list as a key supporter of the Coup. If representatives of the most powerful nation of earth read my blog, which is unlikely, I'd assume they are intelligent enough to see that I'm trying to help the best possible outcome for Fiji, which is not a return to the Fiji from 2000 to 2006.

VANUATU AND THE MSG. Vanuatu PM Sato Kilman has decided not to attend the "reconciliation"Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting in Honiara next week because the Fiji PM is not attending.  Representation from both countries has been downgraded. Vanuatu will be represented by Foreign Minister Georges Wells and Fiji by Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

CHAUDHRY TO OZ. Fiji's former PM Mahendra Chaudhry has been given permission to travel to Australia for medical treatment.Local media reports the Fiji High Court has allowed Mr Chaudhry to leave, despite an impending trial on money laundering and tax evasion charges.

SEVENTY NEWS LAWS SINCE 2007. The A-G Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum told 300 lawyers and other members of the legal fraternity attending the 12th annual Attorney General Conference in Nadi on Friday that there have been 70 changes or amendments in laws of the legal framework in Fiji since 2007 which were made necessary due to changes taking place domestically and internationally.

He invited those attending to question the changes and Government's intentions, saying “If you’re able to rationalise that, then you will be also be able to anticipate the changes in the years to come, particularly in 2014. We need to ask what is the impact of these laws. Are they harmful to anyone? Do they discriminate against anyone? Do they help bringing down the barriers of discrimination.” -- Based on No:2074/MOI. Also  FijiVillage.

BAINIMARAMA BLAMES PAST GOVERNMENTS FOR SUGAR ILLS. He also criticised those who have "been making comments [and] did nothing to salvage the industry." Past politicians did not even visit the sugar mills to see for themselves the  wastage of sugar occurring for the past decade, especially at the Lautoka Mill. In his visit last month he saw  sugar "flowing straight to sea while being crushed." Government had guaranteed FSC loans and made a substantial contribution in the budget to save the industry from collapse. The problems of the sugar industry are not new.

Call for UN Involvement, US Blocks Fiji's Open Access to UN; ACP- EU Fact Finding Mission

CALL FOR UN TO GET INVOLVED. Great, I thought.  RadioNZI has at last published something other than its usual  condemnation of Fiji. The email alert read: "Call for United Nations to get involved in liaising with Pacific neighbours. A New Zealand businessman with extensive interests in Fiji is calling for the United Nations to be brought in to help resolve the strained relations between ..."

So I clicked their website to read the rest of the story and this is what I got: "Error!Invalid Story ID<\p>. News Content © Radio New Zealand International ." We are left wondering why. 

SAD, VERY SAD.  Hillary Clinton's recent visit to Australia and New Zealand, — and her comments on a fresh engagement with Fiji — led optimists to think the US would take a lead in finding more appropriate policies on Fiji  than the failed policies of Australia and New Zealand that in four years have produced no positive results.  But now, with the US failure to issue three visas to Fiji officials, the forewarnings of the the pessimists have proven correct.

The Chief Justice was to have attended the 9th Session of the Assembly of States Parties at UN HQ in New York. The invitation came from the International Criminal Court.

Permanent Secretary for Fisheries Viliame Naupoto was denied entry to the US to attend an international Convention for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.

The Minister for Local Government and Environment needed a transit visa to attend the 16th UN Conference on Climate Change (COP16) in Cancun Mexico. Fiji attended the 15th Conference in Copenhagen last year that failed to lay out a concrete plan to maintain global temperature rises and legally binding reductions to CO2 emissions. High level participation and involvement of all countries and Governments including Fiji at COP16 in Cancun, Mexico was therefore crucial.

Bigger Issue : US Blocks Access to UN
The failure to issue visas to these, and other Fiji representatives, raises a larger and more general issue: how on earth did the international community allow the United Nations to be located in New York without first ensuring that UN-recognized state representatives were guaranteed freedom of access? 

One must note that similar restrictions were not applied against Communist countries during the Cold War, nor are they applied against BIGGER countries with far less legitimacy and far worse civil rights issues than Fiji.

One reader observed: "This is typical of the bullying of small insignificant states that goes on hypocritically under the radar. Designed to be insulting, and another obvious interference with the Fiji judiciary."

The action (or lack of it) by the US Embassy gives the clear impression that it does not want Fiji, as a small developing country which is vulnerable to the immediate effects of climate change, to be involved in and to address issues such as climate change, global carbon trading system, rising sea levels, emission reduction and renewable energy technology transfer. These issues are of utmost importance to Fiji as an island State and Fiji, like all other countries in the world, must be allowed to raise these issues at the global level."

Fiji Vital to US National Security: Wikileaks. 
There are two other related issues to consider:  In most matters Fiji may be "insignificant" in US eyes but as Wikileaks recently pointed out US documents have listed Fiji’s Southern Cross undersea cable landing in Suva as vital to US national security. Fiji is one of 300 countries listed by the US as “critical infrastructure and key resources located abroad" – also known as potential terrorism targets. US State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told CNN, "Without discussing any particular cable, the release of this kind of information gives a group like al Qaeda a targeting list."

Big Brother is Watching
Finally, another cause for reflection on the "Free World." My blog reader Global Citizen had this to say: "An entirely speculative question here, but one now wonders whether your rights under the visa waiver programme still qualify... you have, after all, and no doubt noticed by Washington, become a lobbyist for a military regime to whom they do not give visas for.... tried visiting the US recently? It is actually a serious issue - you will have been noticed and reported upon. Lobbyist for undesirable regimes is something Washington takes note of. I'd check if I were you; detention at LAX is very tedious. You might even share the facility with an Australian woman from MinFo." 

I'm not a lobbyist nor do I wish to visit the USA, but Global Citizen raises a worrying question for others who may choose not to toe the mainstream line. It is always easier to swim with the current.

ACP- EU FACT-FINDING MISSION. The joint parliamentary assembly of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group and the European Union has decided to send a fact-finding mission to Fiji next year. Solomon Islands representative at the meeting, Milner Tozaka, described the mission as an important and positive engagement with Fiji because it will give ACP and EU MPs the opportunity to get first-hand information from the Fiji authorities.

Getting Too Close to Bainimarama

Scroll down to today's regular posting.

After Sanctions What?

By

Scott MacWilliam

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

China Rolls On, EU Rolls Back, Chaudhry, Tiger Woods, Some Hard Questions on the Media

WELCOME TO OCTOBER AND A NEW WEEK.There are several new features in the right sidebar this week: a new Quote for the Week (that the PM should recognize) and three videos-- two patriotic songs and an an old interview with 'the Man.' The Countdown clock shows there are still about 1,440 days to the elections.  You should also check out the Weekend Reading if you missed it. Your comments, of course, are welcome as usual but no more anonymous comments, please, if you wish to have them published.

PERSONAL ATTACKS AND RACISM. In making your comments, remember that while criticizing a person's statements or known position is a perfectly acceptable means of debate, attacking the person and not their statement, is not. Similarly criticizing someone who happens to be of a different race or culture is not racism, but attacking the person because he or she is of that race or culture, and writing stereotypal derogatory remarks about the person's race or culture,  most definitely is.

CHINA'S AMBASSADOR Han Zhiqiang said he appreciates Fiji's adherence to the one-China policy and support for their country's reunification process. Addressing the reception last Wednesday to mark the 61st anniversary of the founding of the PRC, Han said China supports Fiji's economic and social progress and is willing to provide assistance to Fiji without political conditions.

"Urgent disaster relief donation after cyclones last year, Chinese government scholarships, on-going projects like Navua Hospital and low-cost housing are all examples of China's helping hands toward Fiji," he said. During the first half of 2010, nearly 8,000 Chinese tourists visited Fiji,an increase of 32% on 2009.

EU: "LACK OF PROGRESS." The European Union, as expected, has extended its sanctions against Fiji for another six months "in order to assist [sic!] the country's return to democracy, respect of human rights and the rule of law." It is unclear how the suspension of EU money to assist the ailing sugar industry and the thousands of Fiji citizens affected will benefit from this ongoing action that has seen the cancellation of  sugar allowances, to which Fiji is entitled, since 2007 and no new funds from the 10th European development fund. Ordinary Fijians, one suspects, are far more concerned about the   "fundamental right" to work and earn enough to support their families that the supposed absence of "fundamental freedoms" used by the EU to explain its actions.

There is one concession: "Given the deteriorating economic and social situation and in particular a significant increase in poverty, the EU is currently examining possibilities for direct support to vulnerable populations, not channelled through the Fijian government." In other words, they will help ameliorate a situation that they have helped  cause.  It's a help, of course, but direct assistance to the sugar industry  would help far more. And if it went via government, what harm is there in this? The military won't be hitting heads with candy sticks.

Some would see their action as international solidarity against a rogue regime;  others a string of carriages (Forum, EU,Commonwealth)  pulled by Australian and New Zealand trains on a collision course with Fijian livelihoods.

Hardly had I typed this, than Kevin Rudd's office came out with, "Australia, along with New Zealand and the rest of the international community, remains resolute in calling for a prompt return to democracy and the rule of law in Fiji." There's no doubt about which is the train and which the "rest."  There's little doubt also, if this attitude persists, that it will do irretrievable damage to Australia's reputation in Fiji. Unless, of course, Australia can engineer a counter-coup! 

CHAUDHRY IN CUSTARDY. Sorry for the pun but he does seem to welcome confrontation. Reports  in the "heavily censored" Fiji media  indicate that former PM and FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry spent the weekend in custody after being arrested on Friday for holding a public meeting in Rakiraki without a permit, which is a breach of the Public Emergency Regulations. He is expected to appear in court today.

THE TIGER WOODS STORY AND FIJI. "The massive disillusionment over Tiger Woods's womanising is based on the widespread error that information conveyed through the media, often shaped by stars and their handlers, is reliable and comprehensive." -- NZ Listener 2-8 October, p.22. Read on ...

The Media, Some Hard Questions and the 
'Dictatorship of the Publishitariat'

Playing Devil's Advocate

 Crosbie Walsh

Speaking at 2010 Pacific Islands Media Association (PIMA) conference in Auckland on Friday, the keynote speaker, well known and respected Tongan media publisher and media freedom activist  'Eakalafi Moala, said, "Press freedom in the Pacific Islands is under constant threat" while "New Zealand journalists ..took freedom of the press for granted."

He said threats to Pacific media freedom were due not only to "government blocking" (he was especially critical of Fiji's Media Decree, where, incidentally, the Fiji Broadcasting Commission reported his speech!) but also to "the social and cultural fabric of the local community" that accepted Government actions less critically than in Western countries. "Media freedom," he said, "operated more easily within a Western-educated social structure and conduct.”

Taken at face value, most would agree. But I wonder. Is it as straightforward as this?  In an ideal world, would press freedom always prevail? Or, to play devil's advocate, should it ever prevail? What, exactly, is media freedom? Can a case be made that restrictions should be placed on the media in some situations? What are those situations? 'Eakalafi talked of cultural constraints in the Pacific but are there no cultural or other constraints in Western societies?

How free, really, is the New Zealand media? Does it truly provide access to information the people need to know? Who decides what we will read and hear and how it is presented? Who decides the news? I'm reluctant to write about Fiji again in this context, but when did the NZ media last report a contrary view on the situation there? How have they helped to explain what is happening, and why?  How do they decide who to interview?  Do  they ever verify their stories? 

One can also ask what is meant by information when so much of what we see is sensationalism and trivia. What real balance exists in their coverage? Even media people ask what's happened to investigative journalism.We've never before had so much access to information, but we've also never has access to so much wrong or useless information.  Sometimes I ask, do I know more about any matter of consequence because of the media, or am I merely more misinformed? And then I ask myself about the supposed role of the media in a democracy and what it actually does.

Who really is this freedom for?  I am not an advertiser or a shareholder in the media.  I don't vote for their Boards or sit on their appointment committees. I have no say whatsoever in what they choose to publish or not to publish.  I am not part of the media or any other establishment. I cannot vote them out with a letter to the editor or an appeal to the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

When it comes down to the hard questions, we should ask how significantly different are the NZ and Pacific media? Different masters, different circumstances and different stories, but  I suspect that whoever pays the piper still calls the tune. My only freedom is the choice to switch off the TV and radio and not read the newspapers. Sometimes, not always of course, I wonder how they dare claim a special, elevated place -- the Fourth Estate -- in a democracy when their power is more akin to a "dictatorship of the publishitariat."

Freedom of the media, by the media, for the media? An overstatement, perhaps. But by how much?

The US Way Forward and 2014; Three Items on Helping the Poor, One on Corruption

WEEKEND READING. Allen Lockington's column, Between Blogs and a Hard Place, The Rich-Poor Gap, Kava and US Cafe Culture, "The End of Press Freedom in Fiji": When a Paper Becomes a Blog, numerous comments and today's posting.

US WANTS DIALOGUE. During a 75 minute meeting on Wednesday US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told senior Pacific Islands' Leaders that the US was committed to working closely with Fiji and the Pacific Islands. She also paid tribute to the commitment to global security by Tonga in the Solomon Islands, Fiji in Iraq and Sinai, and Vanuatu in Timor Leste. Assistant Secretary of State Asia-Pacific Kurt Campbell, who had attended the Vanuatu post-Forum dialogue in early August, told the meeting that the dialogue going forward was based on the profound recognition of Fiji's central role in Pacific matters.

In turn, Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke  Kubuabola had explained to Clinton Fiji's Strategic Framework for Change, welcomed the reopening of the US AID office in Suva,  and spoken of Fiji's greater attention to combating human trafficking and intellectual property rights infringements. Secretary Clinton said the US wanted dialogue with Fiji and beyond to support partnership. The Pacific delegations expressed great satisfaction at the meeting that the US Secretary of State was committed to, and that the US was now demonstrating, a higher level of involvement after many years.

US STATEMENT CONDITIONAL BUT ACCEPTS 2014.  Easing of US sanctions is conditional on progress towards democracy and holding free and fair elections no later than 2014 says US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia, Kurt Campbell. Fiji "is the centre, sort of architecturally, of transportation and the like in the Pacific... It is high on the American priority to figure out if there's a way that we can be helpful in engaging diplomatically... We are stepping up our coordination and dialogue with New Zealand and Australia who we also believe have key critical interests in Fiji."

KEEPING FOOD AND FUEL PRICES DOWN. Cabinet has approved a Price Control Order which gives the Commerce Commission power to set prices on a range of essential items including some food and fuel items.The Order is the result of concern about the high price of some goods under Price Control, particularly those which are imported duty free.

The items that will be subjected to the Order are: Milk including baby milk, baby food, imported butter, chicken, corned beef and mutton, edible oils, imported dried leguminous vegetables, garlic,ghee, imported fish and other seafood, margarine, noodles, onions, imported potatoes, imported rice, sheep meat, sugar, tea, medicine, premium unleaded petrol, kerosene, white benzene and premixed out board fuel. – Based on 2010 No:1580/CC.

RENT FREEZE CONTINUES. The rent freeze has been extended to 31 April 2011. During this period landlords may not increase rents for any premises that falls under the residential tenancy, including ground rentals, to which the Commerce Commission Decree 2010 applies. In making this announcement Attorney-General and Minister for Trade & Commerce, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said the extension would allow an overall review of existing rent legislation and  enable the Commerce Commission to carry out an independent assessment review of the residential rent market. He said the review would look at ways to protect tenants and landlords, and how to provide clear dispute and independent mechanism. -- Based on 2010 No:1555/AG.

SUVA FOR SALE. The Consumer Council has urged customers to shop wisely, know their rights, and be wary of being cheated as the capital kicks off the week-long "Suva on Sale" event this Saturday.  I can't recall any such advice in the past. The Consumer Council is doing a great job.

FICAC TARGETS POSTAL EMPLOYEE. A former Fiji Post employee is in court charged by the Corruption Commission of several serious thefts.

THRASHING A POINT.  The previous four items  are typical of many of my posts, and some readers ill disposed to the Bainimarama government ignore them and call for "real news" by which, of course, they mean "when are the elections that they hope will bring back the good old days that favoured sections the Fijian elite and fooled other Fijians into believing it was their interests that were protected."

More open-minded readers would recognize that these examples of "small news" are parts of the unwritten "real news" because they are examples of Government's commitment to the People's Charter, the Strategic Framework for Change and the Roadmap.  But if I keep saying so, some will think I'm unnecessarily thrashing a point.

Time to Ease NZ's Sanctions Against Fiji by Michael Field

Michael Field is not my favourite journalist.  In my opinion, he too often presents sensation as news and he sometimes seems lax with his facts, but  this article, published on 6 April, was an unexpectedly balanced assessment of NZ's relations with Fiji.  At least, that's my opinion.  I thought it worth publishing here.

 

Police Thought to Have Acted Wrongly; MIDA Appointments; PM Warns Military, Sanctions

If you can, tune in to Radio NZ National tonight (Monday) from about 7:30-7:55  to listen to a panel discussion on Fiji.  Panelists are Nik Naidu, Richard Pamatatau, Peni Moore and myself.  You may ber able to listen to it on http://www.radionz.co.nz/  
See also the new Quote for the Week in the right side bar.

Richard Naidu

POLICE ACTION ON FIJI LIVE CONFUSING. As reported on Saturday, Online FijiLive publisher Richard Naidu was taken in for questioning by the police  on Thursday and released the next day for an article that erroneously claimed Police Commissioner Commodore Esala Teleni had been suspended. I think the action taken was excessive, and I am further disturbed by the following statement:

"Police spokesperson  Ema Dimila, in a Radio Five item titled 'Fiji Police Warm Media Outlets,' is reported to have said the police will not hesitate to take action against those that don’t abide by the Media Decree. She said:

“It is a Decree to safeguard everybody – the media and other parties as well. And I think it should be followed precisely and exactly as it is. What happened to Mr Naidu is unfortunate. We will not highlight what happened to him but we will highlight that a Media Decree is in place and everybody who is concerned with writing, printing, broadcasting or televising news or even on the web – those using electronic media should be mindful of the Decree.”

My understanding is that while the police could detain Richard under PER, they had no authority to detain him under the Media Decree.  It is the job of the MIDA Tribunal to take action on complaints, not the police, unless complaints are referred to them by the Tribunal.  

If I am wrong on this, I stand correction, but it is the job of Government to make sure its decrees are clearly understood by the publc and those they affect.  Decrees that are variously interpreted and acted on independently by different state authorities do not make for confidence in Government.  It may take a while before decrees are fully understood and correctly acted upon, but the longer it takes, the more ammunition to Government's opponents.

A reader writes that Fiji Live is back on line but I could not access it on Sunday night.

MIDA MEMBERS APPOINTED. Members of the  Media Industry Development Authority are Prof.Subramani (chair) who replaces Prof. Satendra Nandan who withdrew due to health reasons; Asilika Uluilakeba,representing children's interests, Jimaima Schultz, representing the interests of consumers, especially regarding nutrition, Peni Moore, representing women's interests, and Matai Akaoula, representing the media industry.-- based on 2010 No:1143 / MOI). I think the Solitor-General, Christopher Pryde, will head the Tribunal.

ELEVEN MEDIA OUTLETS HAVE REGISTERED with the Media Industry Development Authority when registrations closed on Friday. They are the  Fiji TV, Communications Fiji Ltd, the Fiji Times, Mai TV Group, Fiji Sun, Active Media (the Turaga, Marama Magazine), Sporting Pulse Magazine, Half Time Magazine, Bula Namaste, Islands Business International Ltd and Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Fiji Live, an important online paper, appears not to have registered and its site was no longer available on the web at the time of writing. -- based on 2010 No:1143 / MOI. 

PM WARNS OF ANOTHER COUP IF ...Did the PM Bainimarama tell the Australian there could be another another coup if next election is rushed?  Not quite.  He actually said if the election is rushed under the current race-based electoral system, then Fiji will go back to extremist and ethno-nationalist policies that would divide the nation.

BAINIMARAMA WARNS MILITARY OFFICERS. Acting on  complaints about isolated incidents of military officers abusing their powers, Bainimarama has warned they will be severely punished if this proves to be the case. Land Force Commander Brig.Gen. Pita Driti said the Fiji Military Forces will not tolerate its people abusing their power.“Suchpractices should not be happening in the military at all.” Driti said that time and again the Commander had stressed good governance, transparency and accountability.“They should show the way for others to follow.”

LETTER IN THE AUSTRALIAN. 31 July.  Nothwithstanding the censorship of free expression in Fiji, there is also no question that Frank Bainimarama's efforts to build a better and more democratic Fiji have been hampered by travel sanctions placed by Australia and NZ against members of the Bainimarama regime ("Hurricane Frank an ill wind that we should help quell", 24/7, and "Getting to know the neighbours", 30/7).

For the good of the whole of the South Pacific, the sooner Australia and NZ throw away their big stick, drop their sanctions and enter into meaningful and helpful dialogue with Fiji the better.  

Bob Rankin, Apia, Samoa

MANUBHAI WAY TOO HIGH. Hardware company, R.C. Manubhai, has denied all allegations made by the Commerce Commission on the trade practices of hardware companies in the country. Managing Director, Dinesh Patel, said it is surprising and grossly unfair that the Commerce Commission would choose to air allegations to the media before even putting it to them. According to Patel,  allegations were made against them, particularly profit shifting and exorbitant markups - as much as 34,000% (sic!) on certain items. But the Commerce Commission has not put any of these allegations directly to them. But 34,000%?  3-4,000% is just just credible:34,000% would have a one cent nail sell at $340. Unbelievable. 

 

Switch off the Autopilot in the Pacific

Canberra's stance on the Fiji crisis requires an urgent rethink

Michael O'Keefe in the Sydney Morning Herald 

July 16, 2010

The easy option is to ramp up the rhetoric without much changing sanctions against the regime of Frank Bainimarama, the naval officer who seized power four years ago in a bloodless coup. This would be predictable and lazy. To escalate the sanctions is an option, but one that both John Howard and Kevin Rudd eschewed when faced by similar belligerent actions from Suva. The unstated option is to end or dramatically modify sanctions - and this should not be taken away from the table.

Reactions to Media Decree, Not Disingenuity, Aust PM, Whaleoil Again

FOREIGN MEDIA REACTIONS TO MEDIA DECREE. Predictably these are almost totally hostile, not least from those who, from what they have written, have not even read the Decree. Their main concern has been with the limitation on foreign ownership which could result in the demise of The Fiji Times, owned by Rupert Murdoch's New Ltd.

They chose to ignore that Fiji is not alone in limiting foreign media ownership; the long history of the Fiji Times's misuse of media freedom; and none queried the obscenity of one man owning so much of the world's media and having such power to influence world opinions.  Media ownership is only important to media freedom when ownership is threatened, not when ownership threatens freedom.

Readers are probably correct. News Ltd will continue to mount a campaign against Fiji that will not result into a more conciliatory attitude by the Australian Government.One wonders whether the attack would be less frenzied had the Decree limited foreign ownership to, say, 40% instead of 10% that, in my opinion, should be more acceptable.  I doubt it.  

Congratulations to Leighton Smith for his interview with the A-G on Newstalk ZB. His listeners at least had the chance to hear the other side. I doubt other media will follow.

On April 12 I posted my assessment of the draft Media Decree, noting ten areas of concern.  I will publish a reassessment when I've had time to digest the changes to the draft and their implications. Like so many popular quotations, Thomas  Jefferson's on the media is an oversimplification but, in the context of foreign reactions to the Media Decree, it is not too far off the mark: "The man who never looks into a newspaper," he said, "is better informed than he who reads them, insomuch as he who knows nothing is nearer the truth than he whose mind is full of falsehoods and errors."

DISINGENUOUS MEANS SKILLED IN CONTRIVING. A reader writes that my comment "Readers who remember Qarase's call to Australia for military help in 2006 and the presence of two
Australian warships just outside Fiji's territorial waters will understand Fiji's reluctance to rely on Australia for protection" is unnecessarily disingenuous and places you [me] firmly in line with other media who spread disinformation through innuendo and distorted presentation of ‘facts’.

"Australia has always denied that they had any intention of involving themselves militarily in what was perceived to be a worrying, but domestic, problem. The country’s main concern was for its citizens and the warships (two, remember – not exactly an invasion force) was on standby IF citizens needed to be evacuated quickly. It was the measured and prudent response from a concerned government. Had Australia been even remotely serious about stepping in, there would have been a great deal more hardware on open display."

My comment concerned three issues: Qarase's call, the Australian warships, and Fiji's (Bainimarama's) reluctance to rely on Australia for protection. The reader is correct in saying that Australia never had any intention of invading Fiji.  PM Howard was quite clear on this point.

But there is no doubt Qarase asked Australia about a possible invasion, not once but three times, and his argument that his enquiries were not formal requests seems, yes, disingenuous.

As for the warships, coups seldom if ever threaten foreigners. It's possible they were there to evacuate Australians, though this would have been a lengthy job by helicopter (and NZ would have been remiss in not also sending a warship to evacuate its citizens). It would have been much better to put on extra Qantas flights to Nadi. But it is at least as possible the warships constituted a "presence," a veiled threat or warning to Bainimarama, and I would opt for this explanation.  The reader is possibly correct in saying "Bainimarama astutely elevated the perceived ‘threat’ as a diversionary measure" but if he did, he was no more disingenuous than Australia in sending them.

For readers wishing to check out things for themselves, these links: Just before the Coup
The Australian; Qarase's denial, Fijian Government. ABC News; Howard's refusal of Qarase's request BBC; and Victor Lal with details on the question: Did Qarase commit treason?  Fiji Buzz.

IN HIS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO AUSTRALIAN PM GILLARD, Bainimarama stressed "the links between Fiji and Australia in particular in trade, investment, tourism, sports and  strong people-to-people links through the emigration of Fijians to Australia are pervasive, strong and cannot be ignored." He hoped she would re-look at the current policy of the Australian government towards Fiji with the objective of co-operation based on equality and understanding for the mutual benefit of the countries and their peoples.

WHALEOIL HAS TWO SWIPES AT NEW ZEALAND'S POLICY towards Fiji.  Read swipe one. Swipe two is a follow up Read swipe two. Thanks, White Fraqngipani, for these items.

Short Briefs: Lots of Sanctions, Roadmap and Economy, Censorship

Short Briefs

SANCTIONS OF ONE SORT OR ANOTHER

Australia not listening. Solomon Islands Foreign Minister, William Haomae, says Australia is not listening to Pacific Island countries on the timetable for talks on the proposed PACER Plus Free Trade agreement. Fiji is excluded from these talks.                                            Photo. Nick Driano.

Continued EU sanctions  a blow to sugar industry. USP Economics professor Biman Prasad says the continuation of EU sanctions is a major blow to the sugar industry. Fiji would have received some US$84m of EU aid since 2006, almost all of which has now expired leaving only US$38m available for 2010, and even that is now suspended for another six months. The aid, suspended since the Coup, was intended to improve overall efficiency and boost production at the farm level. Prof Prasad said the "the continued withholding of the aid will have a drastic impact."

It is difficult to see how crippling an already ailing major industry on which so many people's livelihood depend will help Fiji in any way.

The Commonwealth has rejected Fiji's appeal to participate in the 2011 Delhi Games, but Commonwealth countries such as Rwanda, Nigeria and Pakisan with a much worse human rights record will participate. There is little doubt  Fiji has Australia and NZ to thank for this. Their supportive voice could have made all the difference. And their sanctions, we are told, hurt ordinary people as little as possible.

By now it must to obvious to the most thick-headed politican that the Bainimarama-government will not voluntarily change tack until its Roadmap is complete.

What then do the sanction-makers want: an uprising!  Or is Fiji merely being used as a warning to other small Pacific states? Surely the Pacific "super powers" are not afraid of losing face if they moderate their stance and urge the international community to do likewise.

A purely logical assessment of the situation would indicate it is much more sensible to assist the Government to achieve its stated objectives as soon as possible, and in being so involved be in a stronger position to see it stays on course?

Current overseas government travel warnings do not help tourism, Fiji's largest industry.   The Australian government urges its citizens to exercise caution, especially in or near Suva, because of the prevalence of crime, targeted especially at expatriates and tourists, and the potential for civil unrest. The New Zealand government says there is some risk, especially in Suva, due to the potential for civil disorder and violence. The US government urges its citizens to consider carefully the risks of a visit to Fiji at this time, and urges them to avoid demonstrations and large crowds. And that's not to mention typhoid in Suva and hurricanes.

The main tourist areas are, of course, nowhere near Suva but even in Suva I am unaware of any increase in crime targeting tourists (the sword sellers continue to plague cruise tourists perhaps, but this is harassement and petty crime, and the City Council is taking action against them). As for civil disorder and demonstrations: this seems to be more wishful thinking than an actual risk?

ROADMAP SEEKS TO DEVELOP THE ECONOMY

I-Taukei involvement.  Government is  encouraging indigenous landowners to become shareholders in businesses, especially hotel development, and any hotel development where i-taukei landowners have a 25% shareholding will be allowed an additional corporate tax holiday.
        
Rice farming needs better infrastructure if it to achieve the State’s target of reducing the $40-million import bill for rice, says Indonesian envoy Aidil Chandra Salim during his tour of the Northern Division. Mr Salim said the Indonesian Government was committed to reviving the rice industry by supplying mechanical aid, technical assistance and training to farmers. Local farmers sent to Indonesia to learn to learn farming practices had doubled their yields.

“Before using our farming system, farmers in Fiji used to produce two to three tonnes per hectare. After using our methods, the yield improved up to seven tonnes per hectare. This is a positive indication,” he said.

The Super Yacht industry, expected to be a big earner for Fiji, has been  endorsed by Cabinet.

Red Rascal potatoes. In its ongoing bid towards food self-sufficiency, Fiji is to import $75,000 worth of NZ Red Rascal seed potatoes for planting in the Western  Division.  Potato imports currently cost the country $19m a year.

A million trees. Environment Minister, Colonel Samuela Saumatua   says
Fiji is to embark on a campaign to plant a million trees as part of a national campaign to mark the ‘Year of Biodiversity’ declared by the United Nations Conventions on Biological Diversity.

RBF gives profit to Government. The Reserve Bank has given the government $39,247,000 which is its entire profit of $16,600,000 for the financial year ended 31st December 2009 and $22,647,000 representing one-fifth of the balance of the Revaluation Reserve Account. The prevailing weak economic conditions and tight fiscal position decided the Bank  not to add to General Reserves.The transfer to Government in 2009 for the 2008 financial year was $33,000,031. FRB Governor Sada Reddy said that the 2009 financial performance was much better than the Bank's budget estimates and was greatly assisted by improvements in the level of foreign reserves which for the first time exceed $1 billion, almost twice the level of a year ago.

Fiji’s Consumer Council is  lobbying for the United Nations to translate consumer rights into a genuine and solid commitment under the UN umbrella of rights and protection.

CENSORSHIP AND NO CENSORSHIP

Anti-government blog. Government attempts to close down the anti-government blog Fiji Today have been only partly successful. The blog is reported to have re-opened under new management.

Suva-based Pacific Island News Association (PINA) and PacNews  says the technical problems are responsible for members and users being unable to access their services, not government blocking their website and wire service as some people have speculated.

Nik Naidu and Croz Walsh on Radio Australia

 This is the link to Radio Australia's Pacific Beat programme when Bruce Hill hosted an off-the-cuff  "debate" between  Nick Naidu, spokesperson for Auckland-based Coalition for Democracy in Fiji, and myself. The programme was recorded on Friday 29 Jan. 2010. To listen, you will need Windows Media or a similar programme.

(o+) Appeal to My Cousins Across the Ditch

 The Australian government seems to have taken no notice of Prof. Herr's report, repeating the old line: no relaxation of sanctions until there's signs of progress towards a "return to democracy and the rule of law."  But there are many things happening to improve governance long-term, and the lot of the ordinary Fijian short and long-term.

My Appeal to Australia (and NZ)

Leaving aside the "return to" (How could you  possibly believe the Qarase government was democratically elected or acted in ways that democratically-elected governments should, and usually do), there are "signs of progress": witness the Citizens' Assembly in Suva yesterday and the one in the West next month. Dialogue is going on.  Not as much as you may wish, but dialogue nonetheless.

You could argue that the old parliamentary parties should be included in the dialogue.  This seems reasonable until examined more closely. Qarase's SDL (and its links with the Speight Coup perpetrators) are in large part responsible for the situation in Fiji today. Qarase has also said his SDL party opposes the People's Charter. It's difficult for Bainimarama to include people in dialogue when they refuse to even consider the merits of the Charter. Bainimarama will not negotiate with Qarase and the SDL. He thinks them spent forces, irrelevant to Fiji's future.

For Bainimarama, the Charter is the bedrock on which the future Constitution will be built, and  elections in 2014 will be conducted according to the  new Constitution.

Qarase (if you truly love Fiji), and Australia and New Zealand (if you are truly Fiji's friends), examine the Charter. Spell out what you disagree with, and what you can work with. Acknowledge that the Citizens' Assemblies are "progress." Acknowledge also that the Bainimarama government is doing many things for the ordinary Fiji citizen that should have been done years ago.

I know you, Australia,  are not deliberately trying to  cripple Fiji, its governance and economy. But your rigid stance is making things worse. Your  so-called "smart sanctions" are hurting the ordinary Fijians you say you are trying not to hurt.  I'm told there's an influx of ordinary Fiji citizens into Australia. I suspect this is as much, or more, due to economic than political factors.

Things are moving in Fiji, slowly, erratically and not always as you may wish. Often Fiji government spokesmen are their own worse enemy. It's often a case of two steps forward, one step back.  But Bainimarama, at least, is genuine.

Applaud the good things his government is doing.  Offer technical and other support to help him achieve his stated goals. Stop pushing him into a corner. Ease back on the isolation. And hurry. The longer this takes, the greater the dangers.  Help to keep him on track. He's far more likely to heed a friend than an enemy. Offer  all the help you can to promote truly democratic change in Fiji.

Heed the advice of many: Richard Herr, Peter Thomson, Scott MacWilliam, your fellow Australians, and in Fiji that veteran stalwart of "true" democracy, the Rev. Akuila Yabaki. All of them want more flexibility in your policies. None of them like coups but all of them want positive outcomes from a coup that has already happened.

The only clock you can turn back by your inflexible policy is a return to the far-from-democratic and racist government of Qarase -- and none of the deep-rooted problems which caused the 2006 Coup would have been resolved. Back to square one and -- counting -- and over three years lost.  You (and my own government)  cannot want this!

(o) Special Report by Australian Richard Herr

Time for a fresh approach Australia and Fiji relations post-abrogation

by Richard Herr

.

http://www.mediafire.com/?f1zmzjnzomk
This is a link to the full report.

Background
The abrogation of Fiji’s 1997 Constitution on Good Friday 2009 has profoundly altered the views of most observers on the restoration of parliamentary democracy in Fiji. The government of Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has publicly charted a new course involving constitutional change and no elections before 2014. As much as critics may doubt that the new roadmap announced by Bainimarama in July 2009 will be followed, the government insists its timetable is non-negotiable.

(o) Independent Appraisal of Effects of ANZ Policies

Notes from a Fiji friend
  This is a quick response on the negative consequences of Australian-New Zealand sanctions against Fiji.

1. The sanctions over the last 2years and 10 months have not significantly contributed to changing the political or constitutional situation in Fiji, if anything they have led to a deterioration since April 2009 with the abrogation of the 1997 constitution and the imposition of the Public Emergency Regulations (PER).
2. Efforts had negative portrayal of Fiji’s security situation (fortunately largely ignored by Aussies and Kiwis) affect the country’s tourism industry on which very many ordinary Fiji people rely for employment and to market their goods (handicrafts to vegetables and fruits) and services; this industry also relies heavily on the import of food and beverages from ANZ.
3. Travel sanctions have seriously affected the quality of civil service appointments and appointments to boards of statutory bodies and state owned enterprises. The only people willing and qualified to be appointed are military personnel and there has been a ‘militarisation’ of the civil service. The sanctions have been counterproductive.
4. Intrusive requirements (personal and financial) for visa approval to ANZ have increased negative perception of ANZ.
5. Fijians can see the double standards in ANZ approach to Burma, Thailand and China when compared to ‘tough’ stance against Fiji.
6. While politically, the ANZ approach to Fiji has not made an iota of difference, economically ordinary people have been affected by the negative image of the country with respect to tourism (Fiji has had to invest heavily in marketing) and with regards to investment. It is hard to say how many potential investors have been put off by ANZ negative framing of the country. This has affected economic growth and employment prospects and created negative social conditions.
7. An economically prosperous Fiji will be a significant market for some ANZ firms and products, it will be good for the region in a multitude of ways –and therefore growing the economy irrespective of the current political impasse will be good for Fiji, ANZ and the region as a whole –the current sanctions are not designed to foster economic growth.
8. The poorer Fiji gets, the worse it’s predicament with respect to social and political stability – and the more difficult will it be to turn the country around. This will be a much deeper problem to deal with then the current ‘political feuding among the political elite’.
9. Bainimarama has repeatedly called ANZ PMs and most recently the Samoan PM to visit Fiji and see what the situation is in the country and to dialogue. These invitations have not been taken up. This is no strategy to help the country return to democracy.
10. As the negative approach by ANZ continues, other countries and especially China are warming up to Fiji in a significant way. Fiji’s ‘turning North’ policy will ultimate erode the influence of ANZ not only in Fiji but more generally in the region.
11. ANZ’s sanctions and generally approach has also contributed to serious divisions among Pacific island states and exposed the Forum as an instrument of ANZ, thereby seriously undermining its credibility.
12. A divided region is likely to fall more readily under the influence of countries and agencies that challenge ANZ’s position in the region

(-) A Little Light Relief from Intelligentsiya

"No YOU Are Wrong Sir Paul 

This chap and his recent views disappoint and concern us greatly. So much so, we can hardly believe that he was one of the key architects of our Constitution. No Sir Paul, YOU are wrong. And bloody damned well wrong too."

[Intelligentsiya is an extreme anti-Government blog, and probably the first political blog to be published after the 2006 Coup.]

Snippets: Sanctions, Roadmap (Housing, Education, Rural Dev.), Forum, Commonwealth, PACER, Air Fiji

The Freeze is Not Working, So What About a Thaw?
Gleeful that Australian tourism is "up 27 per cent" despite Canberra's harsh rhetoric against the regime in which he serves as Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, is urging the Rudd Government to back down on Fiji. 

"In the earlier Fiji coups they left themselves room to move. They condemned the takeovers, but they kept talking," Sayed-Khaiyum said. "Now they refuse to visit the Prime Minister and they only entertain people opposed to the regime and, like New Zealand, they fund various NGOs to be their proxies. In past coups judges were locked up and MPs were taken hostage and the governments operated by decree, but full diplomatic relations continued and there was no suspension from the South Pacific Forum. Read Paul McGeough in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Government's New Housing Plan: 1. Part of the "Roadmap"
USP Economics professor Biman Prasad has commended Government's new housing plan that will for the first time see collaboration with the private sector and banks. The plan will give up to $10,000 to first homeowners who are able to put down a 20 percent deposit. At an average cost of $100,000 a house the scheme will benefit 1,000 families, and put $100 million into the economy. Prasad called it a "smart way to help the low to middle income group buy houses,and increase economic activity in the construction industry which has suffered badly since the coup in 2006."

Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) Director Hassan Khan in also commending the plan urged possible applicants to seek independent advice and guidance on housing and not be exploited. "The business sector, too, need to help by keeping the hardware prices affordable,"he said. Read more

New NGO Helps Rural Children:  2.  Part of the "Roadmap"
FENC, the Foundation for the Education of Needy Children, will help needy rural children with meals, tuiton fees, stationery and other education expenses. Co-ordinator Irshad Ali said many children in the interior and the northern parts of Fiji walked long distances to school.

FENC was formed with support from overseas Fijians and a $200,000 grant from Government that is trying to encourage more volunteerism in society. The NGO will work closely with social groups, government and the private sector. The "scholarships" will be closely monitored. The NGO will be counselling and teaching microfinance skills.Chairperson Lorraine Tevi said the NGO seeks to "encourage the spirit of volunteerism in Fiji where people come forward to help us." A survey was being done to find the poorest of the poor in the country, and the awards would be made before schools resume next year. Full story. Government's involvement in this new venture follows on from its free school bus and subsidized lunches schmes that mainly help urban children. Click here for further initiatives.

Government Promotes Rural Participation: 3. Part of the "Roadmap"
In an attempt to promote rural community and resource owners' participation in Fiji's economic development, the government has approved the formulation of policy guidelines for the assistance provided under its subsidy program for fisheries and forest sectors. Full  story. 
 

Fiji Opposes Forum Climate Change Policy
Fiji will oppose the climate change stance adopted by Australia and the Pacific Island Forum at Copenhagen this week. It will instead  align itself with the Association Of Small Island States (AOSIS). Together with a number of environmental groups and NGOs Fiji believes the Forum stance, led by Australia, "dilute the Pacific’s concerns"  about emission levels. Full story.

 Fiji May Appeal Games Decision
Fiji is expected to lodge an appeal against its exclusion from the 2010 Commonwealth Games with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Read report one.  Read report two. 

Suspended Fiji Trying to Protect its PACER Interests
Fiji has not ruled out moving for the suspension of a key trade deal if signatories to it do not respond in good faith to its stated intention to suspend Part 2 of the Agreement. Full  story.

Air Fiji to Close
After months of uncertainty, Air Fiji Limited is being closed down permanently as theowners, the Tuvalu Government, is unable to raise some $10 million to revive the airline company.Full  story.

(o+) Nick Naidu and Simon Jackson on the Spectrum Saga

SEE 'SPECTRUM SAGA' BELOW FOR UPDATES SINCE MONDAY.


Radio Australia's Bruce Hill interviews Nick Naidu (NZ Coalition for Democracy in Fiji) and Simon Jackson (Head of Streamcom whose report led to the National Spectrum Decree.) Naidu says outsiders should do nothing to help the Fiji Government. Jackson thinks the Government is on the right track with the Decree. November 25th. 2:00 EST.  Full report. 

Some extracts below:

NAIDU: ... the timing [of the Spectrum Decree] is quite interesting, it's a time when shortly after  the media has been censored [actually it was in April] and it appears that the censorship hasn't worked as well as the regime most probably wanted it. So could this be a way to further control or muzzle those organisations or media outlets that were not playing ball with the regime.

It's very sad that while the people of Fiji the average person is suffering, and poverty is getting out of control, unemployment at its highest level, the economy is suffering. While all that is going on we have New Zealand and Australia as governments are standing up and imposing sanctions but at the same time a lot in the private and education sector, professional areas have decided to go and support this illegal regime with no concern ethically for what they're doing and the harm that they're doing to Fiji as a nation and its people by indirectly giving the regime a stamp of approval.

HILL: But Simon Jackson ... says such criticisms are wide of the mark. He says Fiji's interim government is simply trying to clean up the allocation of frequencies after years of neglect, and there were no political motivations involved.

JACKSON: I agree that there should be an ethical basis to the work you do for anyone  ...we would not have undertaken this work if we believed that there was any ill intent. In actual fact what we believe is happening is that the Fijian government currently is trying to address years of neglect and mismanagement and actually corruption, we've found evidence of that in the way that the radio spectrum has been managed in Fiji. So we tender to do some work to actually come up with a strategy for reorganising their broadcast band and I think you can see from the reaction of people like CSL, who have over 60 per cent of the market in Fiji radio, commercial radio, and people like My Television; these are the ones who if the government actually had some nefarious intent, these are the ones who would be concerned. And they're not saying that, what they're saying is look, this is good, there's been a problem here that needs to be sorted out. 

Also the fact that the Fijian government is involving the ITU, which is the International Telecommunications Union, they're actually an arm of the UN. So it's not like this is something where somebody has decided let's find a cunning way to take frequencies away from people, because to be honest if indeed they were acting as an evil dictatorship they could do that without having to go to this extreme couldn't they? They're doing a lot of work and doing it in the right way for somebody who's trying to do something underhand.

HILL: How did your company feel about doing business with the Fiji regime?

JACKSON: ... we did some research first, ... we took some time to talk to people in the Fijian community here in New Zealand, and look honestly it was very confusing. I found conversations that we were having with people on the street and people in New Zealand, like the first time that we approached somebody, we said oh look isn't it terrible what's going on in Fiji? And this guy who was an ethnic Fijian came and said no, it was great, and that kind of really confused us. But we have found more people supporting the changes if you like, plenty of people who may not support the regime, actually may not support the people doing the reforms, but it's really hard to find somebody who doesn't actually agree with the intent.

HILL: But Nick Naidu thinks there's a wider principle at stake.

NAIDU: ...professional organisations that these individuals or companies belong to should speak out. The governments concerned should support their sanctions by also making it clear to the private sector what their views are in terms of doing business as usual with Fiji ...  they should reprimand those members for taking part and propping up illegal regimes like in Fiji.

HILL: But that characterisation ... is disputed by Simon Jackson. He says corruption is no longer part of doing business in Fiji and that's a positive development.

JACKSON: When we were doing this work we had people coming to us and saying what did it cost you? People who had been doing business in Fiji for a long time, and we were saying what do you mean? And they said well how much did you have to pay to get the contract? And it appears that the normal operating procedure in Fiji has been that if you pay good money for a contract it would be rude to expect you to actually do the work. So we think, we didn't really notice any of that at all, but people we talked to they were sort of disbelieving that that's actually the way that things are happening at the moment ...

We have in the course of doing this project spent some time on the ground. The stories about, we never saw a soldier, we never saw any evidence of the kind of behaviour which is described as being sort of everyday activity in Fiji. The one thing I came away from from actually meeting people in government there was that these people are not politicians, they make, they seem to have almost no media nous, they call a spade a spade. But what their intentions are seem to be really I guess noble.