(o+) Ro Teimumu, Methodist Ministers Being Questioned

Ro Teimumu, paramount chief of the Burebasaga confederacy, former Minister in the ousted SDL-led Government and an outspoken opponent of the Bainimarama Government, and at least four Methodist clergymen, including the controversial Revs Kanailagi and Lasaro, have been taken in for questioning about their rumoured plans to proceed with the Methodist Church's August Annual Conference in Rewa, to be hosted by Ro Teimumu, despite Government's refusal to grant the assembly a permit during the Public Emergency. Last week the Church broke the conditions of a permit, that required the non-attendance of Revs Laraso and Kanailagi, by holding a standing committee meeting in Suva. It was apparently at this meeting the decision was made to proceed with the Conference, with or without Government permission. The Government position is that Kanailagi and Lasaro (and no doubt others) will use the Conference for political purposes which, in Fiji's present political climate, could threaten public order and national security.

If it is true the church intends to proceed with the Conference -- and my inside sources indicate it is -- this is a very serious development that could bring Church and Government into a head-on collision. I sympathise with the church's position, and the loss of funding the conference cancellation would bring, but there can be no doubt that the Kanailagi/Lasaro mix of religion with extreme Fijian nationalism has been an unhealthy (and, indeed, an unChristian) element of the Church for some time. But whatever the rights and wrongs of the current situation one hopes, for the sake of Fiji, that ways will be found to avert major confrontation before it turns really ugly. Click here for the full Fiji Times article.

(G) Bainimarama on Media, Socio-Economic Infrastructure First, then the Constitution and Elections

Speaking at Nadi yesterday, PM Bainimarama said Fiji would have have what he called "a modern day constitution" well before the 2014 elections, but that Government's focus for the next three years will be be on improving "socio-economic and infrastructure conditions throughout the country.” This will include encouraging the private sector and the media to join Government in initiatives that will be pro-growth and pro-poor.

Work on the new constitution will start in September 2012, two years before the elections. It will include provisions that “will entrench common and equal citizenry, it must not have ethnic-based voting; the voting age shall be 18; and it must have systems that hold elected governments accountable with more checks and balances." Public consultations on the constitution will include discussionon the “size of the new Parliament, the appropriateness of a bi-cameral system, the term of office of a government and systems of checks and balances”. Based on Fiji Live.

Past Media Culture Not Conducive to National Unity and Progress

Speaking of the Public Emergency Regulations, he said divisive policies and the past media culture was not conducive to national unity and progress. PERS was a temporary measure, that seeks to provide a stable socio-political platform conducive to the government's nation building initiatives. He said the government wants a Fiji where opportunities are equally available to the different ethnic groups that make Fiji what it is. While strongly believing in media freedom and freedom of expression, he said, media freedom is not absolute and the media must exercise this freedom and right to express oneself with greater responsibility. The media must ensure that their work does not impact negatively on the rights of others or the stability and wellbeing of the nation. Based on Fiji Village.

Bainimarama was speaking to delegates at the 35th Annual Gathering and 8th Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) General Conference.

(o) Snippets: Madraiwiwi, Sogavere, Keys, Garments, the Nadi "Sorcerers"

Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, now a member of the Solomon Island Truth and Reconciliation Commission, believes Fiji may one day benefit from a similar commission to tackle unresolved issues such as “interethnic and interethnic tensions arising out of May, 2000 and earlier, unresolved issues from the mutiny and other deaths in custody, and religious intolerance”. Fiji Live.

Dual Citizenship. Fiji citizens will no longer need to renounce their Fiji citizenship if they become citizens of another country. The provision will be of special value to Fiji citizens living overseas, particularly those who left for reasons of insecurity following each of Fiji's four coups.

PSC Cuts. A Public Service proposal of a voluntary redundancy package offered to some 5,000 civil servants close to retirement could cut 20% off current civil service costs, if approved by Government. Fiji Live.

Solomons v. Samoa. ABC reports that Solomon Islands opposition leader Maaasseh Sogavare has strongly criticized Samoan PM Tuilaepa Sailele for what he called "irresponsible comments in the media about Fiji." Sogavare was reacting to Tuilaepa's comments that tougher action should be taken to force Fiji's return to democratic rule, a position contrary to last week's Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting that called for Fiji's readmission to the PI Forum and PACER talks.

John Keys's Faux Pas
I missed it but according to the NZ Herald's Political Diary, John Key made a "faux pas on his Pacific trip by likening Fiji and Samoa to 'children' and adding that one was "wayward." Faux pas? Definition: Act that compromises one's reputation; an offence against social convention; an indisceet speech or action. French = false step.

Garment Exports Up. Earnings from garment exports last year totalled $100.1 million, up $3.1 million on 2007, and $5.7 on 2006 but far below the 2000 peak of $322 million. Reduction in the world trade rules and competition since 2000 has resulted in many factory closures. Type "wages" or "garments in "Search the Blog" to see earlier posts on an industry that was once Fiji's largest employer.

You've Got to Laugh. It turns out the "sorcerers" arrested on the suspicions of local Nadi villagers were Free Masons whose ancient rituals led to the villagers' suspicions. All 14 were released the next day.

(+G) Tribunal to Discipline Civil Servants

Fiji Live reports another step in the Government's "clean up" campaign: a tribunal to hear serious cases within the civil service.

A Public Service Disciplinary Tribunal will be established soon to speed up the Fiji Governments’ initiatives in achieving an accountable and professional Public Service. Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the most time consuming cases are mainly the disciplinary cases from various ministries and departments. These cases are partly heard or deferred to a later date, due to the time consuming process of disposal, each case takes. He said over the years, the Public Service Commission has been dealing with various cases in the Public Service, most of which had to be heard over two to three days or more to conclude.

“Further delays are caused since the more important pressing cases that urgently require the Commission’s decisions takes precedence over the disciplinary cases.” He said that the establishment of the tribunal will provide adequate time for the Commission to concentrate on more serious and important matters of national interest and enable it to achieve its core objectives.

The tribunal will be made up of three members with a legally qualified person with not less than seven years post bar admission experience, as chairperson. The chairperson is to be appointed by the Commission in consultation with the Prime Minister. The other two members appointed are to be retired civil servants at director level or above and are to be appointed by the PSC. Members of the Tribunal will be appointed on a three year contract, which will be renewable. The Public Service (Discipline) Regulation 2009 will be formulated to govern the functions and operations of the Tribunal. FijiLive

(o) Media RoundUp; Bloggers Rodeo

POSTSCRIPT: Driti denies rumours. Click here.
Mere McCutchan's Parrot
There's something unreal about recent reports from Fiji, as the mainstream media, limited by Government censorship, continue to publish mainly inconsequential non-news articles in protest against media restrictions, or in place of the articles they'd like to write. Take, for example, the front-page feature in yesterday's on line Fiji Times --- Mere McCutcheon's parrot. "Mere McCutchan had just awoken and was preparing breakfast yesterday when she heard something outside ......"

True, the paper did have a small feature on shops and businesses returning to normal business hours (highlighted by Fiji Village) and on a possible apology to former Methodist Church president Rev. Josateki Koroi,* but these serious items were accompanied by another non-news item, "Full House for Harry Potter."

Fiji Village had more "news" coverage with items on the business hours (the emergency regulations being lifted on businesses), swine flu, a police enquiry into sorcery, and Qarase's appeal to leave the country again, which is opposed by FICAC (the Corruption Commission, because the Qarase case is pending). The Fiji Daily Post turned media restriction into media opportunity with a fascinating story of the Taunova Bay Resort manager's plans to put 1,000 acres to agricultural use (this is well worth reading), and the Fiji Sun did likewise with a feature on $3m being pumped into ailing Labasa. On balance, with so many non-news stories, readers would think little is happening in Fiji, but in this they'd be wrong if anti-government blogs located outside the country are any guide.

Bloggers' Rodeo:Jump on for the Ride
Most of these blogs republish each other's postings but over the past week all have been publishing items of alleged unrest in the military. It is impossible to know whether the items have any substance or whether they are published (and republished) as part of a campaign to confuse and destabilise -- or both, with the blog stories feeding the unrest.

Last week CoupFourpointfive reported Bainimarama had suspended Land Force Commander Pita Driti and Commanding officer of the 3rd Infantry Regiment Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara. But on Monday the story was that it was Driti and Ratu Tevita telling Bainimarama to step down, and yesterday (Wednesday) it's back to Bainimarama telling Driti and Ratu Tevita again. Yet both officers were reported taking morning tea on Monday at the barracks and neither has made a public statement. To keep the pot boiling, the blogs also reported tension "within the ranks" over Bainimarama's cancellation of the Methodist Conference, saying "inside sources" said the Conference will go ahead despite the cancellation.

If these confusing accounts were not enough, at 1:20pm on Tuesday the blog FijiCoup2006, run by Sai Lealea, formerly of the NZ Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs in Wellington, published an item headed "Change in Fiji Military Leadership Underway Now." But then mysteriously the post was removed, with no explanation offered. Was someone pulling Sai's leg or did the change become unstuck?

It really is very difficult to know what's going on. There may well be some truth in the blog stories but I wish the blogs, and the generally more reasoned Coupfourpointfive in particular, would make more effort to check their sources, or a least give some indication of probable reliability. As long as the Government (in my opinion, unwisely) continues to censor the media, bloggers are too important a source of information to be ignored by readers who may find too many of their stories unreliable or unfounded. Photo Fiji Times.

*Rev. Koroi was forceably deposed for his opposition to the "pro-Fijian" 1987 Coup by Rev. Manasa Lasaro who actively supported all the Coups before the last one. It is Lasaro's and Rev. Tomasi Kanailagi's rabid ethno-nationalist politics that Bainimarama wants removed from the Church. If they had resigned, Bainimarama would have had no obvious reason to cancel the Methodist Church Conference. One presumes their failure to do so is a political statement.

(o+) Biketawa Says Address "Underlying Causes": Somare

UPDATE 22 July 2009. The blog Stuckinfijimud has an interesting article by Jenny Hayward-Jones entitled "Is the MSG a Threat to Pacific Unity?" in which she points to contradictory comments coming from MSG members.


The Biketawa Declaration should be the compass for the Melanesian Spearhead Group as leaders examine ways and means of assisting Fiji return to democracy, says Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. “As we try to examine ways and means of assisting Fiji and bringing it back to democracy our compass must be the Biketawa Declaration which we all committed ourselves to,” he said while addressing the MSG in Vanuatu.

“The Biketawa Declaration calls us to "take action on the basis of all members being part of the Pacific Islands extended family’.”He said Fiji was a member of the family.“Biketawa also instructs us to address 'underlying causes of tensions and conflict'. Not simply addressing the symptoms of conflict,” he said -- Fiji Sun

(-) The Moral Gutting of Fiji ..... Narsey

In a 15-page but well spaced article, USP Economics Professor Waden Narsey takes every one the Government's actions and stated intentions to pieces, nut by nut and bolt by bolt. He covers the whole institutional scene, from the President down to social and sports organizations, showing how, in his opinion, the whole of Fiji society is unravelling. Along the way he has harsh words to say about those who, for various reasons, have offered the Bainimarama regime support. The full article may be read on a number of anti-Government blogs, and on MediaFire by clicking here. This post has been abbreviated due to its availability elsewhere.

(o+) Somare on Fiji Situation

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has given his full support to Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and his new road map for Fiji.

In an interview with the Grand Chief yesterday, a day after the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meet in Vanuatu, he said just like his counterparts he was pleased that the Fijian leader was there to brief them personally on the situation in Fiji." We've heard from the Fijian leader of the situation in Fiji and I fully support the new road map," Sir Michael said."I am pleased and grateful that we are able to have in our midst our colleague from Fiji and he should be rest assured that the MSG supports him."

Speaking on the issue of Fiji’s suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum and the Commonwealth Sir Michael said he would totally oppose the move. “I for one do not believe that such an action is helpful to the process of returning Fiji to the democratic fold. I will oppose such moves.”He told his MSG counterparts that the people of Fiji needed them more than ever before.“MSG must show leadership on Fiji issue. Let us work towards a long term solution that together that is forward-looking, proactive and constructive for our Fijian friends- not some band aid solution.”

Past experience, he said, suggested that hurriedly prepared elections and superficial tinkering of rules did not usher in real democracy.He said the current MSG chair and PM of Vanuatu had been tasked through the joint communiqué to formally present the case of Fiji’s suspension to the Cairns Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting. He said while the Vanuatu meeting was specifically to help a member of the MSG family of nations, they obviously could not impose their will on Fiji.“All of us - as MSG countries - must find a way forward together by mutual consent. This would require meeting each other midway on any proposed actions.”

From PNG’s stand as an elected government, Sir Michael said they would prefer to see solutions to be conducted within a constitutional framework. This he said would lend the necessary legitimacy to actions.“For any actions to succeed, it must have the support for all stakeholders in Fiji,” Sir Michael said.“Change through consent is more durable. In this regard, I beg the indulgence and understanding of the Fiji Government.” Sir Michael said he was prepared to approach the Fiji issue with a fresh outlook.“Let us forget the past disappointments and differences,” he said. “Let us dig deep within our souls and find the necessary compromises that would move Fiji closer towards democracy.”

He firmly believed Fiji’s problems could only be resolved the Pacific Way.

Report and photo Fiji Sun.

(o) Australia Takes, Pacific Gives in Trade Talks: How Free is Free Trade?

Roderick Ewins* writes favourably of Adam Wolfenden's article we published earlier (see "Why the Rush over PACER?") and adds his own warning about what "free trade" may mean for Pacific Islanders' "rights."

This is a truly insightful article by one who is deeply immersed in the struggle to secure fairness in the trade area, and is justifiably afraid that the Pacific islands are on the point of being gulled into accepting a deal that is anything BUT fair. It is somewhat ironic that Fiji has been frozen out of the talks that are promoting this imbalance, by the very proponents of it, Australia and NZ. As a result, Fiji might, with a bit of luck, escape what others may be sucked into.

Back in 2004 I wrote to the anthropology community describing my great misgivings at Australia (under Howard of course) signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. My fears were that from what I had been able to glean, under such agreements Aboriginal rights (or indeed the rights of a number of parties in a number of areas) could not be protected without Australia being legally challenged for infringing the agreement. There was a flurry of interest from some fellow academicsand one or two Aboriginal rights advocates, no reply from DFAT to my and many other public requests for reassurances on these and other issues, and it was duly signed and became law in Jan 2005:

Should we ever get a government in Australia that might truly wish to protect Aboriginal or other ordinary Australians' rights against big business, they would very probably find this FTA very difficult to get around, just as the government of Peru is currently finding with a similar FTA. Check out this site. Of course that is a big "if" and there is no available evidence any such government is anywhere in sight, so presumably any such conflict would merely be ruled in favour of the US because of the FTA.

That, it would seem, is the scenario that Aus/NZ are now wishing to visit on the small governments of its neighbours in the Pacific. Only this time, they are the ones set to gain, and the littlies the ones to lose. I guess it's a case of "Try and do unto others that which has been done to you".


*Dr Rod Ewins is a fourth generation European Fijian born in Ba and now resident in Australia. An anthropologist with close links to the Fiji Museum, he has researched many aspects of Fijian art and material culture. He has also written on political issues such as the Fijian Western Confederacy and Speight's 2000 Coup.

(o) Honiara's and Auckland's Gain; Fiji's Loss

While congratulations are due to Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi and Dr Sitiveni Ratuka who are to take up overseas appointments shortly, their "on site" clear thinking will be a loss to Fiji at this (apparently never ending) critical time.

Rt Joni, former Vice-President, former High Court judge and a prominent lawyer, has a 15-month (plus a possible further 9) appointment to the Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Honiara -- an experience that should prove useful in Fiji!

USP's Dr Ratuva, the Pacific's foremost political sociologist and a long-time commentator and columnist on Fiji's politics, has accepted a secondment at the University of Auckland. We look forward to seeing him being interviewed by NZTV and the Maori TV soon! His Fiji: Multiple Battlelines: Who is Winning? feature is a "must," as is Ratu Joni's "Fiji in 2001". Write "Ratu Joni" in "Search this Blog", then click on the box "Background material" to access.

(oG) Fiji’s Right to Regional Talks Acknowledged

This FijiLive posting enlarges on the earlier release of Melanesian Spearhead Group support for what Bainimarama is trying to do. It is an important post, dealing with regional trade, but because it has been vetted by censors it becomes more a Government statement than a media release.

Bainimarama wins over Melanesian countries - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Bainimarama wins over Melanesian countries

By Sean Dorney in Port Vila

The leaders of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have given their f.ull backing to an attempt to have Fiji's suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum lifted. Fiji's military leader Frank Bainimarama secured their support at a meeting in Port Vila. At a news conference the chairman of the group, Vanuatu's Prime Minister Edward Natapei, said the leaders praised Commodore Bainimarama's strategic framework for change for Fiji as reflecting a clear vision to achieve sustainable democracy.

That strategic framework would see Commodore Bainimarama stay in power for at least another five years without elections. Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, said he had been convinced that some of Commodore Bainimarama's plans were good for Fiji.The Melanesian countries say they will take Fiji's case for withdrawing its suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum to next month's leaders' meeting in Cairns.

COMMENT: It would seem that for all their well-meaning diplomacy and aid, Australian and New Zealand politicians (and, presumably, their advisers) have a lot to learn about their Pacific neighours. The Melanesian Spearhead Group decision does not bode well for the health of the PI Forum, unless Australia and New Zealand are prepared to back down. For the record, the population of the MSG totals about 7.5 millon; that of other Island Forum members well under one million; Australia 21 million and NZ 4 million.

POSTSCRIPT. Coupfourpointfive reports: "The president of the Australian-based Fiji Democracy Movement, Usaia Waqatairewa, says the people of Fiji feel betrayed by the Melanesian leaders' failure to stand up for them." With such a bold claim, we are entitled to ask: Which people? How does he know? Who does his organization represent? How can be proclaim to represent the people of Fiji? My reading of the situation is that the country is deeply divided, and within this broad division there are several groups of opinions on desired outcomes. More than one of them will welcome the Melanesian leaders' decision.

(o) Pacific Merry-Go-Round* and Snippets

UPDATE. See previous post. Bainimarama Wins Over M elanesian Countries.

While Qarase and Chaudhry were making hay while the sun shines (see previous post)
Bainimarama had "gone west" to meet with Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime and Foreign Ministers in Pt Vila, Vanuatu, to reassure them of the Fiji situation and hopefully gain their support against exclusion from PACER and PI Forum meetings.

With the next Forum due to meet in Cairns in early August -- and PACER high on the agenda -- Australia and New Zealand are also engaged in a little discreet lobbying. Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific, Duncan Kerr, has just finished a whistle-stop tour of Micronesian Forum member countries, Palau, Marshall Islands, Fed. States of Micronesia, where he "discussed the Forum agenda," and is on his way south to Nauru, Kiribati and Tuvalu for similar discussions.

Not to be outdone, NZ PM John Key took on Polynesia with a visit to Tonga, Samoa and Niue (where the Premier and Forum Chairperson Toke Talagi, asked for more open aid for tourism). To complete the merry-go-round, NZ Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has just left to cover Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati and Tuvalu in almost as many days.

In this electronic age, you'd think there were cheaper ways to discuss an agenda, though the "personal touch" may help to win over wavering supporters, and Messrs Kerr, Key and McCully may learn a little more about the Pacific. There does seem to be a lot of expensive scurrying around in advance of the Forum meeting. Perhaps Pacific Island votes to keep Fiji out are not as assured as we have been told.

* Photo credit www.nca-usa.org. A merry-go-round is a fairground amusement contraption consisting of a rotating platform with seats on "horses" for passengers who merrily ride round and round. See earlier posts on PACER by typing PACER in "Search this Blog;" do the same for PI Forum, or go to Labels/Index for earlier related posts.


PERS Extended
The Public Emergency Regulations have been extended from today until August 8. I would expect PERS to be renewed again, but perhaps with a slight "softening", until the end of the year.

Fiji Holdings Ltd
FHL report they are still waiting information from continental Indian financiers on their application for a $19 million loan to purchase BP (SouthWest Pacific). They seem more confident of the loan than some people are about the wisdom of the purchase at this price, on these terms, at this time.

Police claim ...
... crime is down 50% as a result of New Methodist evangelising. This item is not worth reporting, except to say it's not worth reporting.

(o-) Qarase and Chaudhry Meet: Something's Brewing

Coupfourpointfive reports a second meeting between Qarase and Chaudhry (photos R & L), both former prime ministers deposed by coups. Given past animosity between the pair, their meeting suggests something is happening that could have wider consequences. If this is a case of my enemy's enemy is my friend, Bainimarama should watch his back. Chaudhry in particular is no mean adversary. Click here to read the full post.

Of overseas blogs, Coupfourpointfive seems to have the most insider information of what it happening in Fiji although, of course, much they publish cannot be verified, and the blog leans heavily towards anti-Government rumour and "disclosures."

(oG) More on Namosi House: The Plot Thickens

STOP PRESS. For the ramifications of Winproject ownerships and corruption concerns, read this July 9 official release.

FijiLive investigations have now revealed that "Thousands of dollars which have been made as rent payment by the government for Namosi House have ended up in the bank account of Winproject Limited, not the Namosi Development Company. "

The NDC has four shareholders: Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Ratu Kiniviliame Taukeinikoro, Samisoni Tuilawaki and Leone Tuvutokona. In October last year a government cheque for $695,265 was paid the company for rental arrears which was then transferred to Winproject, a company owned by a group of local businessmen.The monthly rental for the House, rented by the Health Department, is $63,766. Earlier Ratu Kiniviliame had said Namosi House is owned by the people of Namosi. He later admitted it did not belong to the people "at this stage."Ratu is a chiefly title.[See earlier post.]

(o) Invitation to Sign Petition to Pacific Leaders on Fiji Media Freedom

Readers who wish to "sign" the Pacific Freedom Forum* petition addressed to Pacific leaders are invited to visit their blogsite.

The petition's preamble reads: "Information is power. Gagging, censorship and detention of the Fiji news media by the interim regime in Fiji robs all citizens of feedback surrounding debate on national futures; and leaves the leadership itself uninformed about how to best achieve its goals of ending racist laws and corruption." [my emphasis]

Petition: "We, undersigned, support free speech for a prosperous and free Fiji. We come from all walks of life and all regions of the world to call on Pacific leaders at all levels to stand up for the front-line role of news media when warning of threats to human rights, suggesting options, and negotiating outcomes with peoples of Fiji."

My own view is that this a well-worded, reasonable and fair petition that deserves support, whatever your political alignment. New initiatives from the Fiji Government and media are urgently needed for the reasons underlined above. My media poll on media censorship shows overwhelming reader support for ending censorship, but with about 25% of readers thinking there should be some restrictions. I presume the qualification "some" indicates concerns about media responsibility.

*PFF is an association of Pacific journalists. To read more about them, access their site and click on "about," "mission," "members." Non-jourrnalists are invited to participate.

(+-) PERS and Some Very Sad Persons

If you think there's no good reason for the continuation of PERS (the public emergency regulations) -- with its restrictions on the media and public meetings -- probably until the end of the year, have a look at some of the anti-government blogs, Solivakasamablog for starters -- and then think again.

"The time is here Voreqe you are no use to us !.. Pass this to all freedom loving Fijians in all places, especially those in the villages and islands, in Fiji so Voreqe and his illegal regime can be brought to its knees once and for all. CURRENT LEADERSHIP YOUR TIME IS NOW UP. YOU HAVE 3 DAYS TO GIVE UP AND HAND OVER NOW TO THE CIVILIAN RULE OR YOU WILL BE BURN." -- SWM.

"You are going to burn in hell Voreqe" -- Jese.

"Bainimarama no longer commands the respect of his men and I think the same can be said of Teleni ... it is just a matter of time, before the floodgates open. Bainimarama [and co.]... should read carefully the writing on the wall because the Methodist Church is the only institution ... which can still save them from the wrath of the Fijian population. If they continue to prosecute the only institution which can actually save them, then they have destroyed their last chance of hope and their blood is upon their own hands." -- Na Vosa.

Should the threats be taken seriously? I don't know. But these are the words of very angry (and therefore not very clear thinking) ethnic Fijians who, one suspects, thought Fiji was hunky-dory under Qarase and his SDL Government. They would have approved Fiji's first three supposedly "pro-Fijian" coups, mistakenly thinking they were to protect Fijian "rights" against the voracious Indians. It's unlikely that anything anyone can say will make them change their minds, not one iota. Racism does not respond to reason.

Snippets: Melanesian Spearhead Group, Lovers Beware, Minimum Wages, Methodists , Pacific Journalism, Roadmap Poll

USE THE NEW POWERFUL "SEARCH THE BLOG."

PM to Brief Melanesian Spearhead Group
The PM will meet with other the PM's of PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in Port Vila on Friday. He told Auckland’s Radio Tarana [an important source of Fiji news] he hopes the MSG leaders, who supported Fiji’s Forum suspension, will understand his Government’s position. “This special meeting is very critical to Fiji as I would like to personally share with my fellow MSG leaders Fiji’s road map and the mandate that guides my government to ensure true, democratic, non-communal, elections for parliamentary representation are held by September 2014.” The meeting comes four weeks before the PACER meeting in Cairns. The MSG leaders earlier had voted for Fiji's suspension from the PI Forum (and non-attendance at the Apia PACER meeting) --but with barely concealed reluctance, and obvious pressure from Australia.

♥♡/♡♥ Lovers Beware - Truth is Stranger than Fiction
Police are evangelising "young people meeting at the Suva seawall, especially during unholy hours."Fiji Times. Police Operations Director Waisea Tabakau said couples found near the seawalls are being taught the Word of God. One has to remove the evil spirits to become a disciplined citizen. He also warned people not to roam around the seawall area during odd hours as they can be a victim of serious crimes. A young woman was raped there last week. FijiLive. [I should comment on this but find myself unable to do so!]

The Fiji Times' is At It Again.
As predicted, several smaller garment firms are having difficulty in paying the new minimum wages, but they can apply to the Wage Council for relief. Many other employers say they have no problems with the new minimum wage orders, and at least one has said the wage increase is long overdue. With this information, what heading would you give to a newspaper article on this topic? The Fiji Times, which has always claimed it presents balanced news (and I have argued to the contrary), chose "Employers Struggling to Cope with New Wage Order." Not -- Some Employers. Or -- Small Employers. Or -- Small Garment Employers. And certainly not the more positive -- "Most Employers Coping with New Wage Order."

To write a balanced account, they could have included an interview with an employer happy to pay the increased rate, or a garment worker on the higher rate (but who still lives below the poverty line), or made a note on the history of wages in the garment industry, or mentioned reasons other than wages for employer difficulties -- such as the world recession, declining Australian orders and industry inefficiencies. Instead they mentioned only the negative: the wage increase that could be blamed entirely on the Government's Wage Council, and so on Government.

How on earth can reasonable people urge the Government to relax media restrictions when it's almost a "given" that the Fiji Times will peck away with a succession of not so subtle anti-government articles like this! One article means little, but repeated day after day, the newspaper gives out a strong anti-Government message -- and an inaccurate, unbalanced account of the "news." In the context of the current political situation, it is especially important to remember that media freedom does not come without media responsibility. The minimum wage for Mining and Quarry workers will be increased by 40 cents an hour from next month. I wonder what the Fiji Times will write then.

Methodist Church
The Methodist Church is expected to ask the PM to allow annual Methodist Conference to go ahead but with a different format: a conference of all circuit members meeting in their respective areas rather than the one conference planned to meet in Rewa.

FijiLive poll. 75% said "Yes"
"Should the international community engage the Bainimarama Government and support its road map to elections in 2014?"

Post-Putsch Fiji Journalism Training Questioned
AUT journalist professor David Robie may have a vested interest* in his assessment of Fiji's media courses funded by AusAID, but there can be no question that Fiji media, at least, needs to get its act togther. As Robie says on Cafe Pacific some courses are "merely producing fodder for industry at a time when critical, independent journalism needs to be nurtured more than ever."

*David Robie is the founding figure in Pacific university journalism training -- in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Auckland.

(oB) Namosi House: What Goes Around Comes Around

POWERFUL NEW FEATURE: TRY OUT "SEARCH THE BLOG"

Money raised from ordinary Fijians by the country's 14 provincial councils, together with loans obtained from the Development Bank or another quasi-government entity, has often been invested in building multi-storey office blocks in Suva. Government sometimes guarantees these loans and the buildings once completed are often rented out to Government departments. What is left from the gross rentals goes towards provincial scholarships and similar "development" projects. For the most part it's been a "cosy" arrangement by which ethnic Fijian governments have fed money back to the Fijian "establishment."Those at the business-end of the arrangement benefit but few benefits trickle back to the villages where the initial money was raised. Only too often those entrusted with the money are accused of dishonest, corrupt, or at least questionable, behaviour. Whether this is the case with Namosi House* is unclear, but FijiLive thinks there is something a little strange. To read the whole article, click here. Read more...
The sheer number of overlapping ethnic Fijian and quasi-government public institutions (often with relatively inexperienced people handling large sums of money, and with too few checks and balances) creates untold opportunities for malpractice. What started as a means to increase the number of Fijians in business and assist rural development, has too often ended with a small number of people "milking the system" for personal gain. On wonders whether the business model needs revisiting.

* Namosi, some 40 or so kilometers west of Suva, is Fiji's smallest province, with limited natural resources. Under the 1997 Constitution, however, it had one Fijian Communal seat in Parliament for its 3,340 registered voters, the same number as Nadroga/Navosa with 19,044 registered voters (Walsh Fiji: an Encyclopaedic Atlas. See advert by scrolling down the left column.)Photo: Fiji Live.

(o) Fiji Holdings Ltd

Coupfourpointfive sees something sinister in the "dismissal" last week and today's "surprise reinstatement" of three FHL Board members. Government said they were asked to go on leave while an audit was conducted. For some solid background on the FHL -- and inherent dangers with quasi-government boards -- see my "Snippets" post on June 6th. News "events" usually need to be seen within broader settings to make anything more than superficial sense. Scroll down the left column to ARCHIVES and click on the week that included June 6th. Or use the powerful new "Search the Blog" feature. Just type FHL.