Some critics of the Fiji military regime condemned the presence of two representatives of the interim administration at the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) conference in Port Vila last week. Lance Corporal Talei Tora, who studied at the University of the South Pacific's regional journalism programme and is a former radio broadcaster, was a surprise speaker on a "Shooting the messenger" panel. She said the military had every right to be at the convention as a paid member of PINA.
AUCKLAND (NZH Online/Pacific Media Watch): Fiji is far too important to be left out of the Pacific Islands equation. This week's Pacific Forum leaders' annual meeting in Cairns has regional trade and the global financial crisis on its main agenda. Fiji - which has dominated the past two forum meetings - is rather determinedly relegated to the margins, but its shadow is bound to creep over the deliberations.
Like it did at last week's biannual media summit of the Pacific Island News Association(PINA) in Vanuatu.
Fiji was the elephant in the room. As panel discussions on topics ranging from media freedom to "shooting the messenger" proceeded, it proved increasingly harder for the delegates to ignore the looming presence of two representatives of Fiji's interim military administration's Ministry of Information in the room.
Attended by nearly 200 delegates from all over the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand drawn from the media, Government and regional and international aid agencies, discussions on the state of the media in Fiji were widely expected at this year's event. Some of the topics for the panel were clearly aimed at discussing the issue threadbare.
Read more...
At one of the sessions editorial staff at Rupert Murdoch's News Limited-owned Fiji Times - which celebrates 140 years of publishing next month - described what it was like to work in the presence of censors in the newsroom and instances when journalists were hauled up for questioning.
Soon after the emergency regulations began to be enforced, the paper left blank spaces in its editorial pages in protest, which, too, was seen as a breach of the regulations by the Information Ministry.
At question time, Pacific Island media representatives bluntly asked why representatives of an organisation that had clamped down on the media so drastically were allowed to attend the proceedings.
They wanted to know if they were spying. The atmosphere turned tense when some delegates demanded that the two military personnel be asked to leave the room.
Unbeknown to the delegates though, the media summit organisers had managed their own coup of sorts to put the military's representatives on the spot. They had convinced one of them, Lance Corporal Talei Tora, to sit on the panel titled "shooting the messenger" to which she had agreed. The other panelist was the editor of the Fiji Times, Netani Rika.
While bemoaning the clampdown on the media, Rika also criticised anonymous bloggers who further vitiated the atmosphere by giving credence to rumour and challenged them to reveal their identities. He requested the audience to treat the military personnel present there with respect for the duration of the convention, but left the panel after his presentation, saying he could not share the dais with them.
Lance Corporal Tora, who studied at the University of the South Pacific's regional journalism programme and is a former radio broadcaster, said the military had every right to be at the convention on account of being a paid member of the news association and that it was up to the Pina board to expel the Government as a member.
She said she was a civil servant and had a job to do and pointed to a number of cases of inaccurate reporting (for several of which media outlets have since apologised).
The questions flew thick and fast: Would she and her colleague be reporting the proceedings to their military bosses? Would the emergency regulations apply to Fiji journalists now they were in a different country? Would they be liable to action? Tora stood her ground and answered questions with confidence, although she used her comparatively junior rank to express inability to comment on the more sensitive matters.
Meanwhile, the strong demand to move the PINA secretariat away from Fiji that had been gathering momentum over the past few months has been rejected by the new board elected at the convention. PINA has been criticised by its own members for not reacting strongly and soon enough at the military action on Fiji journalists and news outlets.
The rationale for moving the secretariat out of Fiji was because Pina has refrained from including news originating from Fiji in the three-times-a-day Pacific news bulletins it puts out to its members and subscribers through its Pacnews service since the emergency regulations were enforced.
At this week's leaders' forum in Cairns, Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is expected to table a motion for a similar long-standing demand to move the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat away from Fiji, especially now Fiji has been suspended from its membership.
It is unlikely to gain traction simply because of the sheer logistics and costs involved - which, if undertaken, will fall on the forum's wealthier members - New Zealand and Australia.
As one senior adviser to the Pacific Forum said recently, the forum needs Fiji far more than Fiji needs the forum.
Commentary by Dev Nadkarni, publisher of www.pacificbusinessonline.com, and former coordinator of the University of the South Pacific regional journalism programme . He is now based in Auckland.
* Comment on this item www.pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
(B+) The Forum "Line Up" on Fiji at Cairns
One wonders how Australia will handle the Fiji issue at the Forum meeting in Cairns. Chairing the meeting gives it some room to manoeuvre discussion away from Fiji if the discussion is not going its way. It could, for example, put a time limit on discussions (or perfunctorily close the discussion as happened in Apia) saying that climate change, the global economy, and the PACER discussions to follow, are more important.Whatever it does will require a greater understanding of Pacific sensitivities than has been evident so far, when Australia and New Zealand, with support from Samoa and smaller Island countries, clearly pushed the Forum to suspend Fiji.
The present line up seems to be: Solomon Islands and Vanuatu strongly pro-Fiji; PNG and Kiribati only a little less so; with Tonga, Tuvalu, FSM, Palau and Marhall Islands likely also to support Fiji if the issue is not well handled. On the other side of the ball park are Australia, NZ, Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and possibly Nauru. Associate members New Caledonia and French Polynesia do not have a vote. With Forum decisions requiring consensus agreement (and so many and so many mixed agendas involved) outcomes are anyone's guess.
What Australia and New Zealand should understand, however, is that if they get their way with anything less than the genuine, voluntary agreement of each and every country, they will be adding fuel to the smoldering accusations of bullying and neo-colonialism that, some way down the road, will work against their long-term interests in the Region.
At issue: Fiji's suspension from the Forum and PACER; Australia and NZ's dominance (and aid diplomacy) in what is supposed to be a meeting of equals, however different member countries may be in size, wealth and influence; the lurking role of China ready to step into Aust.NZ shoes; and, ultimately, the Pacific Plan (click here) and future prospects of regional cooperation.
P.S. One hopes the Samoa representative understands the relocation of the Forum Secretariat from Fiji to you-guess-where is a far smaller issue.
-- Based partly on an Islands Business article on the Stuck in Fiji M.U.D. blogsite.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
(o+) "I Will Not Meet Commonwealth Deadline" : Bainimarama Reforms First, then Elections
As predicted -- and as the CMAG group must have known -- Fiji will not comply with the Commonwealth ultimatum to announce elections by September 1 and hold them in November 2010. PM Bainimarama says Fiji will continue on its path to elections in 2014.
There was a time when Government critics accused Bainimarama of inconsistencies and backtracking on promises. No longer. For a long time now, he has been unwaveringly consistent on the reforms he sees as needed before truly representative election can be held. Since Australia, New Zealand and the PI Forum, from whom the Commonwealth takes its lead, are likely to see changes in their stance as a loss of face (not in my book), one hopes that behind-closed-doors diplomacy will now increase, with Fiji being offered all the assistance needed to design and implement the reforms and hold elections no later than 2014. I say "no later" because continuing internal and external obstructions may cause further delays.
My advice to my own government would be:
Bainimarama told FijiLive that he had issued a roadmap to elections in 2014, which includes a new constitution that assures racial equality and reforms that will address the country’s coup culture. “The governments view is that the best way forward for a truly sustainable democratic Fiji is, Fiji’s Strategic Framework for Change,” said Bainimarama.
He said ministries and departments are engaging in consultations on the Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio Economic Development (RDSSED) 2009 - 2014. The RDSSED sets out a framework to achieve sustainable democracy, good and just governance, socio economic development and national unity, he said.
He said the objective of the road map is to implement policies to achieve the vision of “A Better Fiji for All” which is consistent with the Peoples' Charter and is linked to the Strategic Framework for Change (SFC).
Bainimarama added that changes entailed in the Charter is about the Electoral System, Parliament, Laws, the Public Service and related institutions including priorities in economic and social development, indigenous institutions, the use of land, food and security, how minority interests are protected and enhanced, Fiji’s relations with former Fiji citizens living overseas, race relations, the relationships between religions in Fiji and many other changes.
He said that integral to this process has been the firm commitment of all stakeholders as well as the Government towards the restoration and sustenance of “true parliamentary democratic governance, stability and peace in Fiji”. Extract. To read in full, click here.
There was a time when Government critics accused Bainimarama of inconsistencies and backtracking on promises. No longer. For a long time now, he has been unwaveringly consistent on the reforms he sees as needed before truly representative election can be held. Since Australia, New Zealand and the PI Forum, from whom the Commonwealth takes its lead, are likely to see changes in their stance as a loss of face (not in my book), one hopes that behind-closed-doors diplomacy will now increase, with Fiji being offered all the assistance needed to design and implement the reforms and hold elections no later than 2014. I say "no later" because continuing internal and external obstructions may cause further delays.
My advice to my own government would be:
- Dialogue with the Fiji government, using a stick and carrot approach.
- Concentrate on human rights improvements and the speedy relaxation of the Emergency Regulations.
- Encourage the different parties to talk with each other.
- Encourage "middle Fiji" to cooperate with the government's intended reforms.
- Cease dialogue with extreme elements in Fiji who continue to obstruct government plans.
- Progressively relax the travel bans, starting with senior civil servant (non-military) families.
- Offer legal and other assistance for Bainimarama's reforms.
- Reaffirm your offer of assistance with election preparation.
- Offer access to at least some Forum meetings.
- Urge the progressive extension of Forum and Commonwealth benefits.
- Listen to Pacific Island leaders, and seek their help to break the impasse.
- Assist our media and public to better understand the Fiji situation
- Appoint new faces to deal with Fiji; people who can find something good to say.
Bainimarama told FijiLive that he had issued a roadmap to elections in 2014, which includes a new constitution that assures racial equality and reforms that will address the country’s coup culture. “The governments view is that the best way forward for a truly sustainable democratic Fiji is, Fiji’s Strategic Framework for Change,” said Bainimarama.
He said ministries and departments are engaging in consultations on the Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio Economic Development (RDSSED) 2009 - 2014. The RDSSED sets out a framework to achieve sustainable democracy, good and just governance, socio economic development and national unity, he said.
He said the objective of the road map is to implement policies to achieve the vision of “A Better Fiji for All” which is consistent with the Peoples' Charter and is linked to the Strategic Framework for Change (SFC).
Bainimarama added that changes entailed in the Charter is about the Electoral System, Parliament, Laws, the Public Service and related institutions including priorities in economic and social development, indigenous institutions, the use of land, food and security, how minority interests are protected and enhanced, Fiji’s relations with former Fiji citizens living overseas, race relations, the relationships between religions in Fiji and many other changes.
He said that integral to this process has been the firm commitment of all stakeholders as well as the Government towards the restoration and sustenance of “true parliamentary democratic governance, stability and peace in Fiji”. Extract. To read in full, click here.
(o+) Is Convicted Con-man Peter Foster Telling the Truth? If so, the 2001 and 2006 Elections Were Rigged!
STOP PRESS. CAN ANY READER PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE TAPES AND WHETHER ONE WAS IN FACT BROADCAST ON TVFIJI?"I don't expect anybody for one minute to believe one word Peter Foster says. I'm just a silly bugger who wore the video camera and listening device. Listen to what they say."-- Peter Foster.
Australian convicted con-man Peter Foster (photo*) has been jailed in six countries, been charged with money laundering, selling slimming products without a licence, work permit violations and dubious political and land dealings in Fiji, and has only recently been released from jail in Australia. With this reputation he's difficult to believe, but he's also been an undercover agent for the Australian and British police; a backer of Tupeni Baba's NLUP party in the 2001 Fiji election; a confidant of SDL 2001 and 2006 election strategists Navitilai Nasori and Jale Baba, and, in early 2007, he was "wired" by Fiji's military to secretly tape a meeting with Nasori and Baba. They freely admitted the elections were rigged, and said Qarase and most of his ministers were deep in corrupt practices. The first of these tapes was shown on Fiji TV, before Foster was whisked out of the country to reappear in Vanuatu before extradition to Australia.
Here are his main claims:
- NLTB officers accepted backhanders to arrange land deals for overseas investors.
- The 2000 'Speight' coup was about mahogany deals, not indigenous rights.
- The coup was backed by about 20 businessmen and prominent Fijians. Speight was just a frontman.
- There was a plot to "take out" two key witnesses, Josaia Waqabaca and Macui Navakasuasua, who could identify the 2000 Coup backers.
- Red Cross worker John Scott and his partner Greg Scrivener were murdered for similar reasons.
- Police Commissioner Isikia Savua was involved in the 2000 Coup and in rigging the 2001 election by swapping ballot papers. Savua also helped cover up Scott's murder.
- Both the 2001 and 2006 Elections were rigged. Police were involved.
- Qarase and most of his ministers were very corrupt.
- Australia's Howard government turned a blind eye to what was happening and was behind Qarase's re-election.
- Some people in the SDLparty had plans to stop Bainimarama's return from NZ just before the 2006 coup/military intervention, and to "take him out" if this failed.
For the record, he believes "Frank Bainimarama ... for all the right reasons has removed a very corrupt, very dangerous government. I understand everyone says you cannot remove a democratically elected government through a military coup. Of course I understand that. However, there isn't a thinking man, woman or child in the world today who wouldn't understand if the military regime in Zimbabwe had stood up and got rid of Mugabe. And I'm using the same analogy."
Extract from the Attard Interview
Monica Attard: Don't you think it's a real shame that while you have the ability to use your notoriety to bring attention to Fiji's problems like you are right now, that really at the end of the day, you can't be taken seriously because of your chequered past?
Peter Foster: This is why I said at the time. I worked for Fiji military intelligence and I wore listening devices and I had these tiny little video cameras on me and I videoed three top people who said that the elections were rigged. And when we came out with this, I said "I don't expect anybody for one minute to believe one word Peter Foster says. I'm just a silly bugger who wore the video camera and listening device. Listen to what they say."
* Peter Foster's mother, Louise Foster and her Fiji Trust. have been supporting humanitarian causes in Fiji for over 30 years.
Monday, 3 August 2009
Snippets: Commonwealth Decions; Methodist Rapprochement? President,Fiji Holdings Debt Free
Commonwealth Issues Ultimatum
The CMAG has decided not to fully suspend Fiji, as wanted by NZ, but has voted (all decisions have to be unanimous) to fully suspend Fiji if it does not announce an election date by September 1 for an October 2010 election.
CMAG has also called for the Government to reactivate the President's Dialogue Forum process, facilitated by the Commonwealth and the United Nations.In their statement, they also added that the dialogue must be independent, inclusive, time bound and without any predetermined outcome and should also lead to credible elections in October 2010. Based on Fiji Village.
Comment
The new deadline is technically possible but it leaves the Government too little time to bring about the social, infrastructural, judicial and electoral reforms it seeks before holding elections. In effect, Fiji has been given four weeks to decide. It is doubtful a rushed election will bring any permanent benefits to Fiji, although there is good reason to advance the Dialogue Forum process. I doubt Fiji will comply with the CMAG requirement.
However, a positive gesture from Australia and NZ, that could well help Fiji's internal situation, would be for Australia and NZ to relax their stance on Fiji's exclusion from next week's PACER meeting in Cairns. But this also seems unlikely. They still seem to think, despite all evidence to the contrary, that their stick-and-no-carrot approach will result in early elections.
See earlier (31 July) comments in "PINA To Stay in Fiji; Commonwealth Suspension Not Yet."
(+) Earlier: Commonwealth and McCully's Idea of Balance
NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully said he will be trying to present a balanced view of the interests of the region at tonight’s Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting on Fiji, noting "there not been positive movement; the abrogation of the Constitution, and suspension of the judiciary was a backward step" Apparently nothing else has happened in Fiji or the region? The Commonwealth usually seeks guidance from the Pacific Islands Forum leadership on Pacific matters. One hopes he'll not forget to mention that seven Pacific Island countries want ongoing dialogue with Fiji, and are clearly uncomfortable with Fiji's suspension from the PI Forum. -- Based on RNZ report.
Methodist Update
The church has cancelled this year's conference but choir competitions and fund raising will go on at divisional levels, and the standing committee will be expanded to deal with business normally conducted at the annual conference. The church also said it would support government's efforts to take the country forward. Ministers on bail (for breaking Government conditions for holding earlier meetings) were not at the meeting.
(o+) Methodist Church: Bainimarama Asks Peacemakers or Voice of Dissent?
Fiji’s Methodist Church and the military council have agreed to continue dialogue after their “positive” meeting on Tuesday. PM Bainimarama said “they have to meet first [and then] we need to work together to move the nation forward. We are indeed in very challenging moments in our history as a young sovereign nation and I beseech the leaders of the Methodist Church to reassess their roles in these trying times."
He asked “Should the church take on the role of peacemakers and the voice of unity for nation building or should they be the voice of dissent?" Government and the security forces believe the Church should refrain from politics. “We all have our individual roles to play - religion to engage in spiritual development and the Government to manage the State’s affairs.” -- Based on Fiji Live.
President Served for Nine Years
Ratu Josefa Iloiolo (88) was appointed in December 2000 by the Great Council of Chiefs and has served since then except for a brief period from December 5, 2006 to January 4, 2007 when Commodore Bainimarama held presidential powers. He is entitled to a full pension for the nine years he served as President. Ratu Josefa went on leave from yesterday and will then retire. More.
Fiji Holdings Ltd
BP has repaid the indigenous business company Fiji Holdings the $25 million deposit on its now abandoned purchase of BP (SW Pacific). This leaves FHL with no debt but questions are still being asked about the management of the company, mainly because details of a recent Government audit have not been made public.
The CMAG has decided not to fully suspend Fiji, as wanted by NZ, but has voted (all decisions have to be unanimous) to fully suspend Fiji if it does not announce an election date by September 1 for an October 2010 election.
CMAG has also called for the Government to reactivate the President's Dialogue Forum process, facilitated by the Commonwealth and the United Nations.In their statement, they also added that the dialogue must be independent, inclusive, time bound and without any predetermined outcome and should also lead to credible elections in October 2010. Based on Fiji Village.
Comment
The new deadline is technically possible but it leaves the Government too little time to bring about the social, infrastructural, judicial and electoral reforms it seeks before holding elections. In effect, Fiji has been given four weeks to decide. It is doubtful a rushed election will bring any permanent benefits to Fiji, although there is good reason to advance the Dialogue Forum process. I doubt Fiji will comply with the CMAG requirement.
However, a positive gesture from Australia and NZ, that could well help Fiji's internal situation, would be for Australia and NZ to relax their stance on Fiji's exclusion from next week's PACER meeting in Cairns. But this also seems unlikely. They still seem to think, despite all evidence to the contrary, that their stick-and-no-carrot approach will result in early elections.
See earlier (31 July) comments in "PINA To Stay in Fiji; Commonwealth Suspension Not Yet."
(+) Earlier: Commonwealth and McCully's Idea of Balance
NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully said he will be trying to present a balanced view of the interests of the region at tonight’s Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting on Fiji, noting "there not been positive movement; the abrogation of the Constitution, and suspension of the judiciary was a backward step" Apparently nothing else has happened in Fiji or the region? The Commonwealth usually seeks guidance from the Pacific Islands Forum leadership on Pacific matters. One hopes he'll not forget to mention that seven Pacific Island countries want ongoing dialogue with Fiji, and are clearly uncomfortable with Fiji's suspension from the PI Forum. -- Based on RNZ report.
Methodist Update
The church has cancelled this year's conference but choir competitions and fund raising will go on at divisional levels, and the standing committee will be expanded to deal with business normally conducted at the annual conference. The church also said it would support government's efforts to take the country forward. Ministers on bail (for breaking Government conditions for holding earlier meetings) were not at the meeting.
(o+) Methodist Church: Bainimarama Asks Peacemakers or Voice of Dissent?
Fiji’s Methodist Church and the military council have agreed to continue dialogue after their “positive” meeting on Tuesday. PM Bainimarama said “they have to meet first [and then] we need to work together to move the nation forward. We are indeed in very challenging moments in our history as a young sovereign nation and I beseech the leaders of the Methodist Church to reassess their roles in these trying times."
He asked “Should the church take on the role of peacemakers and the voice of unity for nation building or should they be the voice of dissent?" Government and the security forces believe the Church should refrain from politics. “We all have our individual roles to play - religion to engage in spiritual development and the Government to manage the State’s affairs.” -- Based on Fiji Live.
President Served for Nine Years
Ratu Josefa Iloiolo (88) was appointed in December 2000 by the Great Council of Chiefs and has served since then except for a brief period from December 5, 2006 to January 4, 2007 when Commodore Bainimarama held presidential powers. He is entitled to a full pension for the nine years he served as President. Ratu Josefa went on leave from yesterday and will then retire. More.
Fiji Holdings Ltd
BP has repaid the indigenous business company Fiji Holdings the $25 million deposit on its now abandoned purchase of BP (SW Pacific). This leaves FHL with no debt but questions are still being asked about the management of the company, mainly because details of a recent Government audit have not been made public.
Saturday, 1 August 2009
(o) PACER Plus and Its Alternatives: Important Oxfam Report
Barrie Coates of NGO Oxfam NZ (photo) asks for your help on a report to be taken to the Forum meeting in Cairns. The NGO hopes the principles and new approaches outlined in the report will be accepted as a better way to protect Pacific Islands interests than conventional free trade approaches and practice.Kia Ora colleagues,
Please click here for Oxfam’s new report that outlines the alternative forms of economic cooperation agreement for the upcoming negotiations on the economic relations between New Zealand and Australia and the Pacific Islands. We have prepared it as an input to discussions at the forthcoming Pacific Islands Forum meeting. Any help you can provide to get it into the hands of Pacific Ministers and government officials would be very helpful.
PACER Plus and its Alternatives: Which way for Trade and Development in the Pacific? outlines how trade with our Pacific neighbours is seriously imbalanced in favour of Australia and New Zealand. The report responds to the recommendation from the Forum Trade Ministers’ meeting that negotiations for a new cooperation agreement be launched at this year’s Leaders’ Forum. Oxfam New Zealand and Oxfam Australia have jointly prepared this paper, principally authored by Nick Braxton, in order to contribute to the debate on how such any economic cooperation agreement in the Pacific can fulfil the stated aims of supporting the Pacific’s development.
The report notes that much of the debate around the launch of the negotiations has focused on support or criticism for a ‘standard’ WTO-compatible free trade agreement. The report reveals, however, that there are many options available to negotiators and that it is entirely possible to construct an economic cooperation agreement that would improve the Pacific’s trade prospects while avoiding many of the risks associated with a standard free trade agreement.
Several options, and their pros and cons, are outlined.
Getting the trade rules right, however, is not even half the battle. It is the lack of viable supply that is the main constraint that an economic cooperation agreement must address. Therefore, the report argues, The Pacific has viable opportunities to add value to its natural resources, boost exports and displace imports, but needs support to do so. This needs to be the core of any agreement that has development as a primary aim.
The report then outlines three crucial elements that are required if these negotiations are to deliver on the aim of enhancing the Pacific’s development:
1) Discussions about a new form of developmentally-oriented economic co-operation agreement must be broad in scope, building up from priorities identified by the Pacific countries themselves. Developing the Pacific’s proposals will take time, certainly well beyond the suggested timeframe of agreeing a framework and timetable by end November this year.
2) Negotiations on a broader economic co-operation agreement will need strong cooperation across government departments, and will need the close involvement of other actors in the economy and society more broadly, including parliamentarians, traditional leaders, civil society, the private sector and others. Sufficient time and resources to enable this to take place are crucial.
3) A traditional approach to negotiations led by officials who have been schooled in the language and mindset of adversarial trade negotiations is not likely to lead to an agreement that is in the interests of the region. Serious consideration should be given to assembling the most appropriate range of skills for negotiating teams within all governments, including Australia and New Zealand, ensuring that those with development expertise and mandate are centrally involved.
Oxfam believes that these negotiations are critical for the Pacific Islands Countries, but they will need a radically new approach. Achieving developmentally-sound outcomes will only be possible if there is enough time, sufficient resources, real stakeholder engagement and constructive ways of working. Reverting back to the familiar styles of trade negotiations would doom the negotiations to repeat the patterns of the past.
My colleague, Nick Braxton and I would appreciate any feedback or comment you may have on the report. For those involved in Forum meetings, I will be in Cairns during the Forum Leaders meetings and would be pleased to meet at any stage.
Sincerely,
Barry
Barry Coates, Executive Director, Oxfam New Zealand, Tel: +64 9 355 6506 FAX: +64 9 355 6505. email: barry@oxfam.org.nz web: www.oxfam.org.nz
Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On
Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in www.connectme.com.fj/news/opinion/. I thank Allen and Connect for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.
Mango Season
It’s July 2009 and once again like every year the mango trees are starting to flower in Lautoka. By August and September we will be enriched with the aroma of ripening mango. Trees will be literally dripping with the fruit. Stalls along roadsides will be set up, people on their way to Suva will stop and buy them. School fees and other expenses will be paid. I will be sending cartons and bags of mangoes to relatives and friends in Suva, freight forward though.This is the time many people in the West take the mango for granted. I will make mango juice, chutney will be made by my neighbor and we will exchange wares. Mango pickles will be plentiful. The people of Lautoka will be enriched with vitamin C. The mango is an excellent laxative and many stomachs will be cleaned for the duration of the season.
The amount of mango that goes to waste is humongous. I wish we could make mango juice to export. But seeing the many restrictions put in place by Australia and New Zealand, I will just export to Suva.
The mango will be here soon and once again we will be blessed, nature just carries on regardless of the situation.
...Life Goes on will be published every Saturday for the next few weeks...
Scoop: NZ bullying Over Pacific Free Trade Deal - Report
The General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches has released a report documenting the use of ‘power politics’ by the Australian and New Zealand governments to push Pacific island countries to launch free trade negotiations at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ meeting in Cairns next week. To read more, Click Scoop: NZ bullying Over Pacific Free Trade Deal - Report
Friday, 31 July 2009
Australia, New Zealand, Samoa Stand Accused ; Human Rights Group Thanks President
Australia, New Zealand, Samoa Accused of Dividing Regional Trade Bloc
Radio Australia reports that a leading Pacific NGO says Australia and New Zealand are continuing to use bullying tactics in trade negotiations, and accuses Samoa's Deputy Prime Minister, Misa Telefoni, of working with them to create a split among Pacific Island nations. The accusations are contained in the report 'Speaking Truth to Power', launched in Suva this morning by the Pacific Network on Globalisation.
The report comes as Pacific Island leaders prepare for their summit in Cairns where they are set to decide whether to go ahead with negotiations for the proposed PACER Plus trade agreement.
NZ Human Rights Group Thanks President
A Fiji Human Rights Group in New Zealand has written to the outgoing President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, thanking him for the service he has provided to Fiji and its people. Spokesperson Santa Maharaj said it is saddened to hear that he has taken his retirement so suddenly, however the group is pleased for his decision as he will get more time to spend with his family. Maharaj said Ratu Iloilo's return to Vuda will give the Vanua of Vuda the opportunity to serve him as their paramount chief.
Maharaj hopes that the incoming president will continue to see that the people of Muaniweni, Dawasamu and Dreketi who suffered during the May 19th coup will be compensated as a reconciliation process. -- Fiji Live.
PINA to Stay in Fiji; Commonwealth Suspension Not Yet; President's Resignation
(o) Drama at Pacific Islands News Association Meeting
There was more than a little drama at this week's PINA annual meeting in Vanuatu. Fiji Times editor-in-chief Netani Rika spoke of media censorship in Fiji and then walked out in protest against being on the same panel as a Fiji Government censor. Later Rika was awarded the Pacific Islands News Association Freedom Award for "his professional and moral integrity and the courage he displayed in being prepared to stand up publicly on his principles, knowing that his words were placing him at risk" and the Association reiterated its "condemnation of the extreme situation of media censorship now prevailing in Fiji [and called] on the provisional military government to lift immediately the emergency regulations under which journalists are prevented from doing their job and the Fiji public is kept informed."
However, the PINA secretariat will remain in Fiji (moved Cook Islands; seconded PNG).This will disappoint anti-Government bloggers (PINA chief executive officer Matai Akoula was called a traitor) for joining the meeting's "wide support to let the PINA secretariat to remain in Fiji."
(-+) Commonwealth Suspension Likely But Not Immediately
CMAG, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, will meet in London tomorrow (Friday 31) to decide what to do about Fiji, now partly suspended from the Commonwealth. The Group comprises representatives from Ghana, Malaysia (chair), Namibia, NZ, PNG, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Uganda, and the UK.
NZ Foreign Affairs Murray McCully, who with PNG Foreign Minister Sam Abal will report to the meeting on "progress to a return to democracy," expects the Commonwealth to suspend Fiji, but not immediately. Their report will also be presented to the PI Forum meeting in Cairns next week. McCully said he did not think any positive movement was on the horizon. We earlier reported that a Royal Commonwealth Society spokesman thought discussions with Fiji would continue behind the scenes, whatever the decision on suspension.
My own opinion is that:
(o) Anti-Government Bloggers Claim President Forced to Resign
These reports are so blatantly ridiculous, they merit no rebuttal.
There was more than a little drama at this week's PINA annual meeting in Vanuatu. Fiji Times editor-in-chief Netani Rika spoke of media censorship in Fiji and then walked out in protest against being on the same panel as a Fiji Government censor. Later Rika was awarded the Pacific Islands News Association Freedom Award for "his professional and moral integrity and the courage he displayed in being prepared to stand up publicly on his principles, knowing that his words were placing him at risk" and the Association reiterated its "condemnation of the extreme situation of media censorship now prevailing in Fiji [and called] on the provisional military government to lift immediately the emergency regulations under which journalists are prevented from doing their job and the Fiji public is kept informed."
However, the PINA secretariat will remain in Fiji (moved Cook Islands; seconded PNG).This will disappoint anti-Government bloggers (PINA chief executive officer Matai Akoula was called a traitor) for joining the meeting's "wide support to let the PINA secretariat to remain in Fiji."
(-+) Commonwealth Suspension Likely But Not Immediately
CMAG, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, will meet in London tomorrow (Friday 31) to decide what to do about Fiji, now partly suspended from the Commonwealth. The Group comprises representatives from Ghana, Malaysia (chair), Namibia, NZ, PNG, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Uganda, and the UK.
NZ Foreign Affairs Murray McCully, who with PNG Foreign Minister Sam Abal will report to the meeting on "progress to a return to democracy," expects the Commonwealth to suspend Fiji, but not immediately. Their report will also be presented to the PI Forum meeting in Cairns next week. McCully said he did not think any positive movement was on the horizon. We earlier reported that a Royal Commonwealth Society spokesman thought discussions with Fiji would continue behind the scenes, whatever the decision on suspension.
My own opinion is that:
- Bainimarama will not voluntarily be diverted from his intention to reform the political system before elections are held. If this the case, foreign governments and agencies would best help Fiji "return to democracy" by helping to speed up the reform process, ensuring that it is as inclusive and representative as it can be in the circumstances.
- This requires easing pressure on the Government and applying pressure to the anti-Government faction -- or at least ceasing implicit support -- so that they also would be more prepared to enter into dialogue.
- The foreign stand-off merely reinforces the internal stand-off between a suspicious Government and anti-Government forces unwilling to moderate their position.
- Their most valuable contribution to Fiji right now is assistance to help ease the tensions that have made dialogue impossible. McCully has the opportunity to make some positive moves of his own
(o) Anti-Government Bloggers Claim President Forced to Resign
These reports are so blatantly ridiculous, they merit no rebuttal.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
(o) Tuwere Asks Methodists to Back Off
Respected former President of the Methodist Church Rev. Ilaitia Tuwere has called on the church to cancel plans to hold the annual church conference this year in defiance of a government ban.
"Humbly, I will say the church should just move away from the conference this year… And allow common people to go on with their lives. I hope common sense will prevail here ... the church will not get more into provocative actions [and] there will be no confrontation."
Click here for full Fiji Live report. Photo: Fiji Live.
"Humbly, I will say the church should just move away from the conference this year… And allow common people to go on with their lives. I hope common sense will prevail here ... the church will not get more into provocative actions [and] there will be no confrontation."
Click here for full Fiji Live report. Photo: Fiji Live.
(+) Commonwealth "Dropped the Ball" on Fiji
Fiji Live reports that the Commonwealth may work behind the scenes to try to help Fiji restore democracy after going ahead with a possible suspension in September. This is the opinion of the Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, who also thought the 53-member body has "dropped the ball on Fiji". "The voices of the smaller island nations are drowned in the United Nations, and the Commonwealth becomes a perfect ground to be on par with nations like Australia and Britain where the smaller island nations can have their voices heard," he said.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) decided in December 2008 to review its stand on Fiji in September 2009. If it is suspended, technical assistance will continue, but Fiji will be unable to attend any Commonwealth meeting.Sriskandarajah thought that whatever happened, dialogue needs to be maintained.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) decided in December 2008 to review its stand on Fiji in September 2009. If it is suspended, technical assistance will continue, but Fiji will be unable to attend any Commonwealth meeting.Sriskandarajah thought that whatever happened, dialogue needs to be maintained.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
(o) "Lending Fiji a Hand"
Real Fiji News has a new posting (click here) that provides a useful overview of the forces and events that produced Fiji's present political situation. Even more useful are the writer's suggestions about what needs to be done from here on if a peaceful solution is to be found. Not everyone, of course, will agree with the writer's interpretation of events, or his suggestions on the way forward but -- in the spirit of dialogue -- that should make it an even more important read. Readers familiar with the negativism of the blindly anti-Government blogs will find the posts' positive approach refreshing. Comments may be written under the post, or under this post.
Snippets: President to Retire, Lau Provincial Meeting, Forum PACER, John Roughan
(G) President to RetirePM Ba
inimarama has announced that President Ratu Josefa Iloilo (88, photo L) will retire on July 30, and the functions of his office will be carried out by recently-appointed Vice-President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (photo R).(o+) Mara Opens Lau Meeting in Suva
The people of Lau converged in Suva today (27 July) for the opening of their provincial council meeting and bazaar. Lau Provincial Council chairperson Lt-Colonel Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara. Ratu Tevita thanked his people for their contributions to the province’s development and outlined matters to be discussed by their district representatives. Ratu Tevita looked forward "the revitalization of the economic situation in the province” and the possible purchase of a ship to serve the islands. -- Based on Fiji Live. It is noted that mass non-political meetings are allowed under PERs.
The Lau group consists of about 60 small islands to the east and south of mainland Fiji. Once the domain of the powerful Tongan chief Ma'afu, who challenged Cakobau for control of Fiji, and the "seat" of the powerful (Sir Ratu Kamisese) Mara family, the islands suffer from excessive out-migration. The 2007 population was 10,683, almost entirely ethnic Fijians, and only 1.3% of Fiji's total population. The province had one seat in Fiji's 71 seat parliament.
(+) Fiji and the Pacific Island Forum, PACER: ANZ Principle or Loss of Face?
Although it now looks unlikely Fiji will get a last minute reprieve and be invited to attend the Forum meeting in Cairns on August 4-7, it is seeking representation at the PACER (Pacific Closer Economic Relations) meeting that follows. Australia and New Zealand seem adamant that Fiji will not return to Forum meetings (or be involved in any regional talks such as PACER or PICTA, Pacific Islands Countries Trade Agreement) until it sets an early date for elections.
Their inflexible -- and unrealistic -- stance has drawn criticism from the Forum members in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu), Kiribati, Tuvalu, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, all of which want the Forum to reopen dialogue with Fiji whose exclusion threatens the longer-term future of regional institutions and makes economic talks, other than on aid, something of a joke. With seven of their Pacific "partners" now wanting a review, one might think Australia and New Zealand might moderate their stance but my reading is that they think they know best and, besides, loss of face is now also involved. For a related story, click here.
John Roughan
Fiji and other friends of Solomon Islands citizen John Roughan will be pleased to learn he was awarded the Cross of Solomon Islands at the recent 31st anniversary of independence celebration. John was the co-founder of the indigenous Solomon Islands Development Trust, an NGO that has been helping to empower rural villagers since the 1980s.
(o) Don’t Manipulate ‘Vanua’, Chief Tells Church
The vunivalu (war chief) of Fiji's Rewa Province, whose tradition role was as protector of the Roko Tui Dreketi, the position now held by Ro Teimumu Kepa, has told Methodist Church leaders not to manipulate his chief and people to advance their own agendas. Ro Epeli Mataitini said in a statement that for “far too long” the ‘vanua’ and its ideals have been used to either “excuse, mask or justify actions by the church and politicians that could be construed as political”. To read full report, click here.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
(o+) A Verbatim Summary of the "Perfectly Frank" Interview
Frank (Voqere) Bainimarama's recent "Perfectly Frank" interview by Australia SBS video journalist Mark Davis has been widely circulated by those opposed to Bainimarama, probably because they think he came out of the interview rather poorly. I thought differently. True, his "style" is not the typically diplomatic and he has a "raw" way of saying things in English, but what he actually said confirms my impression: he's perfectly consistent in what he says he's trying to achieve, and he means what he says. Of how many diplomats or politicians can this be said?Of the interview itself, the two men seemed to be talking past each other on different planes of non-comprehension. Davis couldn't understand where Bainimarama was coming from: "Surely this man cannot believe what he's saying!" while Bainimarama seemed to be thinking: "How many times are they going to ask these questions? Why don't they believe me?"
In this post Baimarama's main points are grouped by topics. Otherwise his words are unchanged. Some quite lengthy exchanges have been omitted. To see the video of the interview, click here, and to read the text in full, click here. Read more...
On Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island Forum
"A lot of people don't want to understand the situation here - especially Australia and New Zealand ...Why is [the Australian Foreign Minister] warning me? Is he the forum? He's not the forum. The forum is a group of island nations in the Pacific - it's not Australia, it's not New Zealand. But do you see what's happening? They are using bulldozing tactics to have their way with the Forum. ... there's a lot of things that you from Australia and New Zealand don't see. You don't understand the politics in Fiji."
On Australian and New Zealand Influence on Internal Fiji Politics
Bainimarama: "The only reason these people [his main opponents] are vocal is because of the stance taken by Australia and New Zealand."
Davis: "It's encouraged them?"
Bainimarama: "It's encouraged them. In fact, they are encouraging one another."
On What He's Trying to Do
"I keep telling everyone a radical change needs to be brought in. And radical change cannot be brought in by some weak organisation ... Yes [I am demanding "changes" and "obedience", Davis's words] for a reason, because we want to bring about changes and you can't bring about changes if you wait 20 years for that to come about. You need to have it done - today... If there were going to be any changes to the electoral reform, why didn't we make the changes in the last 30 years?
On Why No Elections Now
Davis: "If you an election were held today, I think you'd agree, Mr Qarase would probably win it."
Bainimarama: "Exactly. Because of the way the constitution is done, how the electoral system is made up, that can never change. And why? Because the politicians are happy with that - they are comfortable with that. They want the race issue to remain so that they can win.""He would win it and where would that take us? ... It's not going to take us anywhere because as I've said we are trying to change the mindset of the people from the racial issues that were prevalent in the last 10 years to what we want to take Fiji to."
Davis: "Equal suffrage Multi-ethnic equal rights?
Bainimarama: "Exactly. Isn't that what the Australians would want?
On the Role of the Military in Bringing about Change
Bainimarama broke the 2000 Speight coup, installed Qarase but as Davis said "they quickly fell out, again on issues of race and indigenous power."]
"What I did in 2000 was exactly what I did in 2006. We took away executive authority in 2000 because of the chaos and I handed executive authority to the politicians, the political masses, in the understanding that politicians were going to take us forward. They did not. Qarase and his crowd did a turnabout, did a turnaround on the military. Everything, or the direction that we wanted them to take the country to, to include all the races, they didn't do that.So I took it back in 2006. I took it back to prepare the politicians to lead this nation and the only way we can prepare the politicians is by getting a new constitution, getting a new electoral system in place. One man, one vote, and see what happens? If one man, one vote is good for Australia and New Zealand, why isn't it good for Fiji?"
"... what we want right now in Fiji is to bring about radical changes. Strong changes. Make changes to improve the lives of the people of this nation. No-one can bring those changes into being except the military here, now. In Fiji's history, no-one can bring about the changes to the public service. No-one can bring about the changes to the land and bring about land reforms. We can do that. We are not elected. We don't have to please the indigenous community. We don't have to please any chiefs. We don't have to please any members in the Methodist hierarchy. We do what is good for the nation irrespective of your colour, irrespective of your religion, irrespective of your creed.
On Media Freedom
"My government believes in media freedom. However, the media must ensure that their work does not impact negatively on the right of others or the stability and well-being of a nation. But it's not a military dictatorship where we abuse our authority.They can print whatever they want, but irresponsible journalism is not going to be tolerated.
On Ousted Former Prime Minister Qarase
"I want Qarase and his politics to be irrelevant. I want him out. I want his politics irrelevant from now on, OK? I don't want any race issue brought back again. .. This is the action that will stop all coups, that will stop all the destabilising forces from bringing up race issues from now onwards. That's what we are trying to do."
On Methodist Leaders and Chiefs
Davis: "You've got Australia and New Zealand against you, you're going to have a lot of the chiefs against you. You've now got the Methodist Church against you, and that's the biggest church here. I mean, can you hold this together for five years?"
Bainimarama: "You must remember I'm a member of the Methodist Church. I'm not against the reforms. There are a hundred thousand more like me. Just because some of the chiefs are against me, it doesn't mean that the rest of the indigenous population are against me. The only reason these people are vocal is because of the stance taken by Australia and New Zealand."
Mark Davis Concludes
"For now, Bainimarama's biggest headache doesn't come from foreign nations. The real power he is challenging doesn't lie in Canberra or Wellington - it lies in a thousand traditional villages across Fiji. While all the correct indigenous protocols are being followed today, it is those same protocols and the associated privileges that Bainimarama is directly challenging. In essence, he's proposing sweeping constitutional changes to eliminate electoral, employment and other advantages given to indigenous Fijians over their ethnically Indian compatriots."
My friend Bhaiya comments on Davis's conclusion
Davis appears to be caught in a ‘time warp’ himself. The issue in Fiji is not merely a ‘Fijian’ –‘Indian’ one! It is also about the abuse of a racially justified electoral system and policies, including affirmative action policies, by an indigenous elite. Disadvantage and exclusion in Fiji affects a broad mass of people that include ethnic Fijians, Indo-Fijians, mixed-race people, Solomoni, Ni-Vanuatu and several other minorities.
Cartoon: Cafe Pacific
Monday, 27 July 2009
(oB) Yabaki Shows Way Forward: Informed, Insightful, Balanced
A "Must" Read: Breaking the Cycle of Coups
The Rev.Akuila Yabaki is a well known Fiji civil rights activist, advocate for the poor of all races, and Chairperson of CCF (Citizens' Constitutional Forum). He is one of a very small number of people I would approach for an informed, insightful and balanced opinion on the Fiji situation, on how to break the present political impasse, and how to turn today's disappointments and forlorn hopes into realized promises and a far better future for the people of Fiji.
No one who has Fiji's well-being at heart can ignore this man. His lecture at the University of Queensland on 20th July is a "must" read. He attacks no one; sees the best in the proposals of the Bainimarama Government; identifies needed electoral and other reforms, and points to a "light at the end of the tunnel."
Breaking the Cycle of Coups
IntroductionI am deeply honoured to be here first to speak and then to listen in an open dialogue with you on the current Fiji situation.
The events of recent months in Fiji are worrying to those of you who have been friends of our country. The abrogation of the Constitution on 10th April 2009 removed the Bill of Rights and the constitutional protections of these rights. The dismissal of the judges compromised the already weakened judiciary. And current media censorship regulations and permit requirements have made it difficult for civil society organisations to continue their good work.
But not all hope is lost. We are in a transitional phase where civil society must learn to adapt and face the new challenges presented by these difficult circumstances. Now, more than ever there is a need for engagement and dialogue. We must continue to strive for free and fair elections, but the immediate concerns are:- Read more...
* Convincing government to come to the negotiating table for an open, inclusive and independently facilitated dialogue process; and
*Ensuring that the return to democratic and constitutional rule occurs as soon as possible.
Without an ongoing commitment from all aspects of society to engage in dialogue, including from government and the military, the coup culture will prevail. With the right attitude, dialogue can bring people together and help reconcile Fiji with its past history of political instability.
Background
Let me begin by briefly summarising the events that led to the current crisis:-
Fiji has had 5 coups since achieving independence in 1970. Fiji is a multi-ethnic society, and striking the right balance between competing community interests has always presented a problem for the country.
Fiji has lived under effective military rule since 5th December 2006, when Commodore Frank Bainimarama, commander of the Royal Fiji Military Forces, deposed the elected Qarase government. At the time of the takeover, the interim government promised to uphold the Constitution and to rid the country of corruption and racist government policies.
In January 2008, the interim government established after the 2006 coup, in a bid to move the country forward, created the National Council for Building a Better Fiji (NCBBF), a council tasked with the drafting a roadmap forward called the “People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress”. This Charter’s objective was to address for the first time the roots causes of Fiji’s problems, particularly eradicating the coup culture. It was not designed to replace the Constitution, but rather to complement it. The Interim Government called upon all sectors and actors of society in Fiji (civil society, churches, institutions, etc) to participate in the debates and in the drafting of this Charter.
The issue of engaging or not engaging brought about a clear divide amongst civil society organisations in Fiji. Many of them refused to participate in this process, not because they disagreed with the idea of drafting a Charter for Fiji, but because the Charter had been initiated by the interim government, they saw any participation in the Charter process as implicit support for this illegal government.
Some NGOs, including CCF, decided to take a risk, and agreed to participate in the drafting of this charter.
CCF strongly condemned the 2006 coup. However, we felt that accepting to be part of the Charter process, which included sitting at one table with people from the military, was the only way to influence the process from inside, to move the country forward and also to provide input in terms of the values for which CCF has always stood. We were supporting the interim government’s idea of a Charter, not the government itself. Many of the concepts proposed under the Charter, including electoral reform to remove the race-based voting system, were things that CCF and other NGO’s had previously been lobbying for.
We made the decision to engage knowing that we would be criticized for it and that if our intention was misunderstood, we might run the risk of compromising CCF’s reputation.
We put the following conditions to our participation:
1. The 1997 Constitution would not be abrogated;
2. The process would not interfere with the roadmap for a return to democracy;
3. We would be as inclusive of possible, including also the parties and members of government who had been deposed;
4. There would be freedom of expression during the deliberation, and there would be no reprisals against people expressing opinions contrary to the those of the Interim Government
5. The future role of the military forces would be added to the agenda for consultation.
All these conditions were accepted at the time.
Legal Challenges to the 2006 Coup
Whilst this process was continuing, large parts of the Constitution were being ignored or violated by government, and despite promises of electoral reform and elections by March 2009, not enough progress has been made in returning Fiji to a parliamentary responsible system of government.
The ousted PM Qarase challenged his removal by Commodore Bainimarama in Court proceedings.
* At the first instance, the High Court (on 9 October 2008) declared the Interim regime valid. It held that the President had broad and unreviewable powers to rule indefinitely. This decision was appealed.
* CCF decided to get involved in the Appeal case as a friend of the court (amicus curiae) in order to assist with the complex constitutional issues of this case. Our concern was that the Constitution was not intact and that the decision offended the rule of law.
* On 9 April 2009, the Court of Appeal overturned the original decision and declared that the interim government was unconstitutional and unlawful.
* Bainimarama seemingly accepted the decision and stepped down as interim PM that evening.
*The following day, on Good Friday, 10 April 2009, President Iloilo abrogated the 1997 Constitution and dismissed all judges, promising a new legal order.
*On 11 April, the President then re-appointed the same PM and cabinet and implemented public emergency regulations.
o The regulations give broad powers to the police and military to search people and places, seize property, detain and interrogate people; and
o Substantially restricts freedom of assembly, freedom of movement and freedom of speech.
o These regulations are now likely to remain in place until the end of the year.
* All mainstream media outlets have at least one police officer and Ministry of Information officer to screen and censor all news items before publication or broadcasting. No negative remarks about the interim government are allowed. This led for example to:-
+ Fiji One news on Sunday 12 April to cancel the broadcasting of the 6:00 o’clock news.
+ On Sunday 12 and Monday 13, the Fiji Times was issued with large blank spaces where news items had been censored (see pictures).
* Tuesday 14 April, 3 foreign correspondents were deported from the country and one local journalist who worked with them was taken into custody.
* Since then, a number of journalists, activists and lawyers have been detained or questioned under the Public Emergency Regulations.
* A number of constitutional office holders (including the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Commissioner for Human Rights, Ombudsman and Governor of the Reserve Bank) have been removed from office without notice.
* On 15 April, the Fijian dollar was devaluated by 20% and the Australian Broadcasting Company’s radio transmitter was shut down.
* On 1 July, Bainimarama announced his “Strategic Framework for Change”, outlining his agenda for the next 5 years. On the same day, PER was extended officially for another month, following comments in an interview with Bainimarama that they would remain in place until at least December 2009.
A Strategic Framework for Change
On the face of it, this speech contains many promising commitments:-
* A focus on pro-growth and pro-poor policies;
* Re-engagement with Fiji’s neighbours and development partners;
* Modernising of infrastructure and government systems and organisation, including:-
* Divestment of government shares;
* Closure of non-performing entities; and
* Outsourcing to the private sector.
* Encouragement of the private sector to engage with government.
However, I do want to make the following observations:
1. The framework speech fails to address the critical issue that the abrogation of the Constitution, the failure to adhere to the rule of law, the lack of an independent judiciary and media censorship – which are all likely to deter foreign investment and international support.
2. The strategic framework is disappointing in that it provides no explanation for why discussion on a new Constitution cannot commence immediately. It gives us some indication of the areas in which government will seek to implement reforms, but leaves us in the dark as to how some of these reforms will take place.
3.The government reaffirms its commitment to improving accountability and transparency by improving institutions and laws, including the checks and balances under the Constitution, but has overlooked its own failings in this area. Without a Parliament, laws are passed in secret and public submissions are rarely called for. Annual reports on government spending are released to Cabinet and are no longer publicly available. This environment cannot facilitate government accountability and highlights the very need for constitutional protections on the powers of government.
4. Further, there is a real risk of entrenching permanent government control of media if censorship regulations continue for much longer. Already many organisations and individuals are afraid to speak openly against the interim government. The censorship has now extended beyond mainstream media, with the interim government controlling the speakers at events such as the Accountants Annual Conference, the Pacific Youth Festival, and the Methodist Church Conference.
Without any connection between government and the people, there is a risk of government policies becoming increasingly detached from the needs of the community. Now, more than ever there is a need for all sectors of the community to engage with government to ensure that this does not happen.
We may not like the timeframes imposed by the government, but we need to continue to work to ensure the ultimate objective of returning Fiji to democracy is achieved. In order for there to be a long term, sustainable return to democratic and constitutional rule, the people of Fiji need to be a part of that process. For this reason, an open, inclusive and independently facilitated national dialogue process can offer a way out of this political crisis in a manner which addresses the underlying issues which led to the 2006 coup.
What can be done to address the deficiencies that resulted in the coups?
The first few coups have generally occurred because the coup-makers manipulated the fears of the indigenous community – the first component of this fear, the fear of domination by another race, is no longer an issue as the Indo-Fijian population has decreased to 38 per cent. It is anticipated that by 2010, the Indo-Fijian population would have decreased to less that 35 per cent of the population – that is, almost half of the indigenous Fijian population.
The second fear – of economic domination, can only be addressed through economic development. Instead of relying on the civil service, diplomatic corps and the political arena to provide jobs, there is a need for the indigenous community to develop their land for economic income generation and venture into other areas of economic development. This fear also cannot be addressed by the private sector where also much of the population is employed. It can only be addressed by the indigenous community by taking and initiating development activities themselves.
The 2006 coup is different because the coup makers cited corruption, disrespect for law, and racist and controversial bills and policies by the deposed government, as reasons for the coup. While there can be no justification for the overthrow of any democratically-elected government, we still need to address the issues used to justify this coup, because it could be a problem for further generations.
Finding a solution to the Coup Culture
No one of us can claim to have a perfect solution to end the political crisis, inter-ethnic tensions or the coup culture in Fiji. Many of us have been proposing ways and means of doing this. The truth is that we will all need to work together to find a solution and commit as a nation to carry out that solution.
I believe the coup culture can be addressed through:
i) examining the role of the military – this has been done in the Charter process and I will later elaborate some of the recommendations from discussions. One of the conditions for CCF to become a member of the National Council for Building a Better Fiji was that the role of the military should be examined in the Charter process to find a way of ending the advent of military coups.
ii) electoral reforms to get rid of the race-based communal seats and adopting a proportional representation system which would better reflect the population at large. The elected leaders of Fiji have shown a general unwillingness to give appropriate number of seats in cabinet, to reflect the different ethnic communities here. This problem could be rectified through a proportional representation system, especially in light of the diminishing number of population of other ethnic groups, since the 1987, 2000 and 2006 coups. Ridding the country of the Alternative Vote system could end the trend of the past two elections where the elections resulted in polarised ethnic voting. The fact that race elements in the elections process is a problem has been acknowledged by mainstream political parties. At a recent meeting the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party made reforms to its constitution to remove racist elements. A copy of the revised SDL Constitution, with no racist elements has been sent to CCF. This is a positive move which shows the acknowledgement of this political party that racist policies are wrong and Fiji needs to get rid of it to move forward in a democratic way.
iii) electoral reforms which would give a fair representation to the diversity of political views that exist within the indigenous Fijians themselves. In the 2006 elections, there were a diverse range of Fijian political parties which appeared to have a small, but significant amount of support. However, the election results showed that none of them managed to win a single seat. This could be due to the use of fear in election campaigns to provoke people to engage in block voting along ethnic lines. If Fijians do not get to exercise their democratic right to choose political parties representing a diverse range of ideologies, then there is a greater danger of coups happening in future. A proportional representation system could address this issue through fairer representation of political parties, and also by getting rid of racial politics and politics of fear.
iv) introducing enabling legislation in Fiji to deal with racist activities, policies, political parties and organisations as per the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination or CERD. Only through legislation and prosecution of racist crimes can the message be sent out to everyone of the seriousness of such events, and prevent the use of the race card for political upheavals in future.
v) a political forum where the leaders of the political parties can come together and engage in sincere and serious dialogue and commit to resolutions of taking Fiji forward in a Constitutional manner that would also prevent further coups. The charter will not provide all the answers but nor will the election of 2009. We have deep seated ills which need to be resolved collectively now through political dialogue.
Action Needed to End a Coup Based Culture
Below are seven key principles from NCBBF to end the coup cycle:-
1. Removing the political, economic and social conditions for coups and strengthening the sanctions against coups.
2. Setting up processes to build national reconciliation and healing.
3. Redefining the role of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
4. Transforming the role of public leadership.
5. Taking action to improve ethnic relations.
6. Reforming the electoral system.
7. Re-looking at the overall national security system.
Below are some specific recommendations that fall under the above principles:-
1. remove the economic and social conditions that lead to coups.
2. Require all holders of public offices, including the military, to take an oath agreeing not to participate in coups.
3. Strengthen penalties and operation of criminal law in relation to offences related to coups.
4. Amending the Constitution to say that no coup can abrogate the Constitution.
5. Prohibiting participants in coups from holding public office in future.
6. Greater effort should be geared towards addressing the situation of the rural and urban poor in order to avoid social alienation and political manipulation.
7. Encouraging Indo-Fijian and Indigenous Fijian mutual partnerships in development, commerce and investments.
8. Any conviction of treason is to be subject to automatic life sentence.
9. Every politician who enters parliament must, as part of their oath of loyalty to the state, make a commitment not to participate in any future coups.
10. Participation in a coup to lead to immediate vacation of a public or chiefly office and forfeiture of all property owned by the individual.
11.UNDP should be approached to conduct a parliamentary oversight program for the military to ensure accountability of the military to parliament instead of just the government in power.
This program has worked admirably in many countries.Fiji needs to find a middle way to resolve the problems that has resulted in the four coups. Clearly, there have been no reforms in institutions or legislations to try and end the coup culture. In the aftermath of the 2000 and now the 2006 coup, dialogue has not been held to find a middle ground to take the country forward. CCF believes that an enduring dialogue process will enable us to find this middle ground. South Africa was able to avoid bloodshed and is moving towards better times after adopting the middle way through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Northern Ireland took the middle way by dialogue between the two extremes sides, the Protestants and Catholics who formed two opposing blocks in the population. A Community Relations Commission was formed by civil society representatives which presented a framework outlining what Northern Ireland could look like. They explored their differences from a strength-based position and realised that segregation was paralysing every single sector of the country. The Commission created the first integrated school and started inter-community projects. Closer to home, Bougainville, after losses of thousands of lives, has now a peace settlement, involving cooperation between participants. Fiji needs to go the middle way. This middle way can be found in an inclusive dialogue process.
Developments with a Dialogue Process
To answer this need for a national dialogue, a number of civil society organisations have collectively created a national dialogue process known as ‘Dialogue Fiji’. This initiative is designed to bring the interim government, political parties and civil society together for dialogue at one level, while providing a space for the general public to voice their opinions at another level. The initiative has been gradually built over the last 10 months. It now consists of an 11 member committee including representatives of the private sector, women’s NGOs and faith based organisations. This committee was selected by an assembly of over 30 civil society organisations. This committee in turn directs a full-time secretariat to organise and coordinate the initiative.
This initiative is still in its early stages, so I will not talk much further on its details. CCF, as members and co- founders of the initiative, have hope that the initiative at the very least will open avenues for solutions. But let’s not think that this is some magic pill, it can only provide the space not the solution. The solution comes from mutual respect, understanding and an ability to compromise.
As I have said I am extremely grateful to be given this opportunity to speak with you and I look forward to the open dialogue to follow I hope.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Snippets: Political and Economic
Political News
US Ambassador Steven McGann (photo) has advised 30 new Peace Corps volunteers not to meddle in Fiji's political affairs, citing Pres. Barrack Obama's statement that no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other. --Fiji Live. Obama went on to say the US is willing to help see the election of a government that will empower the rights of people. -- Based on Fiji Village.
FSM Offers Some Support for Fiji. The President of the Federated States of Micronesia has cautioned other Pacific Islands Forum members from being too hard on Fiji. President Emanuael Mori says Fiji must return to democratic rule, but there needs to be room to speak with the military regime. --Radio Australia.
Radio NZ International. Its last four Fiji items were, as usual, heavily weighted and from predictable sources. Listeners were left in no doubt about the "horrors" of the Bainimarama Government. With respected Fiji political scientist Dr Steve Ratuva now at Auckland University, I hope the NZ media will use him as a source of informed, impartial commentary on Fiji.
Economic News
Economy Better Than Some Predicted. Reserve Bank Governor Sada Reddy said that while Fiji’s economy is yet to emerge from the current difficulties faced in the global economy, foreign exchange reserves were F$700 million compares with F$441 million before the devaluation in mid-April. Liquidity also experienced a strong recovery to the current $200 million, compared to its critical $15 million low earlier this year. Reddy said this level of liquidity will allow for further reduction in lending rates and greater availability of credit and is expected to lead to higher investments and economic growth in due course. The governor emphasized, however, that credit must go towards high priority sectors which create employment and save or increase foreign reserves. -- Based on Fiji Live.
The Auction of Fiji's Momi resort scheduled for July 22 has been delayed for a month to allow potential bidders more time to do due diligence . Bayleys Real Estate is managing the mortgagee auction on behalf of the Fiji National Provident Fund, mortgagee in possession. The FNPF wants to recover the more than F$80 million (NZ$59.8 million) it invested in the partially-completed development, heralded as one of the largest ever undertaken in the South Pacific before work stopped in 2006. The now-bankrupt NZ firm Bridgecorp sank $NZ106 million in the development. -- Stuff.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
(+) Ro Teimumu's Actions Deliberate, Calculated and ... Clever
UPDATE. Ro Teimumu, charged with Contravening Public Order Act, Breaching of Public Emergency Regulations and Inciting against Public Order by publishing a letter on the internet, was released on a bail of $500 yesterday.The Revs Ame Tugaue and Tuikilakila Waqairatu, charged with Contravening Public Order Act and Contravening permit to hold meeting, have also been released on $500 bail orders, asked to surrender their passports, and told not to associate with former church presidents Manasa Lasaro and Tomasi Kanailagi, who will appear in court today. -- Information from Coupfourpointfive.
No matter how much her supporters may protest this is not the way to treat a chief, even if she did break the law; no matter whether she spent the night in police or army custody; whether the Public Emergency Regulations are "right" or "wrong," or the Bainimarama regime legitimate or otherwise, there can be absolutely no doubt that Ro Teimumu's action in publishing a public web statement that the Methodist Annual Conference would be held in Rewa (in defiance of the Government ruling that the Conference would not be held) was a very deliberate and calculated decision. There is little doubt either that she expected to be arrested. It would not have served her purpose not to be.
So what did she hope to achieve? That the military leadership would change its mind, back down and allow the Conference? I doubt it. Did she seek the accolades of the Methodists and Fijian nationalists? No. She is a Catholic, and she already had the support of her own people, as well as that of extreme Fijian nationalists. Accolades from civil rights activists? Unlikely. Chiefs and democracy seldom go together, and although normally a pleasant, friendly person, she was never noted for her defence of democracy or civil rights.
Ro Teimumu is a chief but she is also a politician. She was Minister of Education in the ousted Qarase SDL-led Government. She played a major part in the Great Council of Chiefs' rejection of Bainimarama's candidate, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, for Vice-President. She helped to re-politicize the GCC that only a few years earlier had vowed to de-link from politics. Her statement earlier this week was a political statement coming from a chief with a political purpose, no different, in this respect, than most of her public statements since 2006. I am sure she has some sympathy for the Methodists and her Rewan subjects who were to host the Methodist Conference, but I doubt this was her major purpose.
My interpretation is that her primary purpose is to use the Conference as a means to create unrest and rally mass Fijian support for a political cause she shares with extreme Fijian nationalists. That is, to overthrow the Bainimarama government and see the return of a government that puts chiefly, and Fijian elite rights and privileges, ahead of those of other citizens, including those of ordinary Fijians. This is not because she is an unfeeling person but rather, I suspect, because she believes chiefs are born to rule, and that Fiji, first and foremost, must be for Fijians.
But Some traction, some gain, must come from the past three years. I say this with no disrespect for Ro Teimumu or the Fijian chiefly system. But in the modern, multi-ethnic, multi-religious state of Fiji, Fijian chiefs and national politics -- and religion and politics -- should be kept apart, and the concepts of vanua, lotu and matanitu, as they apply to the 21st century, need to be re-thought. The prostrate bodies of slaves should no longer be used as rollers to launch Ro Teimumu's or anyone else's waqa drua. Over the next few weeks ordinary Fijians should be particularly wary of such manipulation by chiefs, church and the SDL.
Will Ro Teimumu's plan work? It's early days, but if the Fiji Live poll on Fiji's readmittance to PI Forum free trade talks is any indication (which, deeper down, is not a totally different issue) she seems to have gained -- and the Government lost -- considerable traction. A week ago over 60% of pollsters favoured Fiji's admission; today it's dropped to 44%. The knee-jerk reaction of decent Fiji citizens is to sympathize with this "wronged," decent woman "abused" by the military. Ro Teimumu, who is no fool, would have known this, too.
For the Fiji Times report on the Ro Teimumu and Church Ministers' arrest and release on bail, click here.
Waqa Drua = Large double-hulled canoes, some as long as 30 metres, capable of carrying up to 200 people, and faster than contemporary European ships. Photo: Fiji Times.
Snippets: Vatukoula, Fatiaki, Evangelizing, Chaudhry, Rotuma Acts, Media Impartiality
Going For Gold. For an update on the troubled gold industry and the mining town of Vatukoula, and plans for the future, click here.
Fatiaki joins Madraiwiwi in Vanuatu. Former Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki, removed from office by Bainimarama in 2006 on charges that were later withdrawn, is the new Chief Justice in Vanuatu. Fatiaki is one of a number of Rotumans who have distinguished themselves in a number of private and public positions in Fiji. [Rotuma, annexed by Britain in 1881 and today part of Fiji, is 500km north of Lautoka. Culturally distinct from ethnic Fijians, Rotumans in Rotuma and Fiji proper were represented in parliament by one MP.The island is administered by a council of elected members and chiefs which nominated one member of the Fiji Senate.]
Rotuma Acts Reviewed. Marieta Rigamoto, Rotuman former Information Minister, thinks Government's decision to review the Rotuma Act and the 1959 Rotuma Lands Act is a great opportunity for Rotumans to comment on legislation that was "not accepted by the people ...I think it's about time. I'm thankful and grateful that the review has started", she said. Based on Fiji Times article. Former Rotuma district officer and resident magistrate Fred Susau said it was high time a review was done on the legislation which have been in existence since the 1930's and 1950's. He said the most problematic issues in the land tenure system were the determination of customary ownership, land boundaries and provision of funds to carry out the survey. "The review should consider special provisions and reforms for the improvement of its administration and court systems on the island ... It should provide better and efficient services such as law and order, health and education as well as the composition and functions of the Council of Rotuma." Based on Fiji Times article.
All Faiths May Evangelize. Police Commissioner Cde Esala Teleni has given the green light to all faiths in the country to carry out evangelism in any police post or station in the country. Police believed that this is one way of reaching out to vulnerable youths and families. They credit the religious "crusades" for a 20% drop in the crime rate for the first six months this year. The Crusade is one of the five pillars the Police Force will resort to fight crime in the country. Click here.
Chaudhry Thinks Baininmarama's Priorities All Wrong. Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry thinks Bainimarama's "Strategic Framework for Change" has got the timing of its priorities "all wrong if it thought it could shelve a resolution to the country’s political crisis for three years while it focused on economic and infrastructure development. We should have learnt from our recent past just how important political stability is for economic well being. Unless we have a stable, inclusive and democratic political environment acceptable to the international community and our development partners, it will be very difficult to create the investor confidence necessary to stimulate private sector growth," Chaudhry said. To read the Coupfourpointfive account, that includes criticism of Chaudhry, click here. The FLP website address.
Media Impartiality: Well and Truly Gone? Coupfourpointfive claims Radio Fiji and Communications Fiji Ltd - which operates five radio stations - two Hindi, two English and one Fijian station, State-owned Radio Fiji, privately owned Legend FM and the Fiji Sun newspaper are "continuing to give prominence and prime air time" to the Bainimarama Government. "The last shreds of [their] neutrality, independence and impartiality ... has well and truly gone."
Comment: It does not seem too long ago, in the days of the so-called "free press," when Government's views were swamped by those of its opponents. None of those protesting now, did so then when only this blogsite published items on media bias.
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