NZ-Fiji Need Drug Co-operation, Travel Bans, the Media, Natapei Decision Unpopular

See new Quote for the Week in the right side bar.

DRUG CONTROL REQUIRES UNIMPEDED NZ-FIJI CO-OPERATION. The seizure  in Suva last week of a huge supply of the precursor drug needed to make methamphetamine (also known as 'ice' and 'p') had an estimated processed street value of F$28m. The consignment of powder arrived from China, via Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand, and was finally intercepted at Suva Wharf. 

In an earlier seizure in 2000 drugs were thought to have originated in Myanmar, for stockpiling in Fiji before shipment to the US, Canada, Australia and NZ.

In 2004, overseas and local police arrested half a dozen Asian nationals and found the biggest methamphetamine manufacturing plant in the Southern Hemisphere. Over one billion dollars worth of methamphetamine was seized.

Last year Asian drug smugglers were caught using kava from Fiji to smuggle methamphetamine ingredients into New Zealand. These operations were uncovered by a 14-month joint operation by the New Zealand and Fiji police and a specialised team from New Zealand was called in clean up the factory as volatile chemicals littered the site.

A US diplomat, Richard Pruett, thinks the series of drug busts and immigration arrests in Fiji over the past decade indicate that a network of people from organised crime syndicates are operating in the country.

A NZ reader wrote: "Croz – this is a worry. Fiji needs expert help now about how to deal with this crystal methamphetamine/P drug problem, before it is too late. Politics shouldn’t come into the methamphetamine equation. Look what has happened here in NZ because a few years ago the powers that be and the government of the day ignored the problem – until it was too late. Now the streets here in NZ are awash with methamphetamine.  Check out this link to find out about the facts about crystal methamphetamine and how dangerous and addictive this drug is."

THE TRAVEL BANS. A reader 'Alter Ego' commenting on an earlier post wrote : "The only people to whom Australia and New Zealand are not open for general travel are a select group of junta members and appointees ... and both Australia and NZ say they will consider humanitarian cases. For everyone else, travel to AU and NZ is as normal, including medical evacuations."

I am afraid this is not true. The ban applies to anyone, including career public servants in senior positions, and their families.  See my interview with Pramesh Chand #6). To my knowledge, at least three civilians who would have applied for senior governnment positions, did not do so because of the travel ban that would have prevented visits to their transnational family.

The ban is depriving Fiji of capable civil administrators who have adopted no political position. Many people seeking visas are interrogated and kept in suspense for several days, even those seeking medical care. I reported the case of Judge Anjala Wati who was eventually allowed to accompany her child who needed an urgent operation, but was not allowed to "go shopping," for G-d's sake. I have not reported the case of someone known to me whose only "crime" was being part of the People's Charter process. After one such interrogation she was eventually allowed to visit her seriously ill father. Humanitarian cases need to be treated humanely, and this has not always been the case.

And this comment from 'Cornileus': "Alter Ego, Have you seen the 5 (7?) page supplement to the NZ visa application that only Fiji-born citizens are expected to fill? It's an insult and and as a Kiwi, I'm disgusted by it, and disgusted that the uninformed and misinformed ordinary Kiwi bloke has allowed it to continue.

If the ordinary Kiwi bloke had access to a few facts, and acted on them, there would be a radical change in NZ's policy towards Fiji. However, while you have a lying, manipulative media ruling the roost, it will never happen and the same old tired response to Fiji's woes will doddle on."

AUSTRALIA'S MEDIA DUOPOLY. Media ownership in Australia is distributed between commercial, national public broadcasters and not-for-profit community broadcasters. Australian media ownership has been described as one of the most concentrated in the world.  For example, 11 of the 12 capital city daily papers are owned by either Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation or by John Fairfax Holdings. -- Wikipedia.

FIJI TIMES ORDERED TO PAY $50,000. The Fiji Court of Appeal has ordered the Fiji Times newspaper to pay $50,000 in damages to former Fiji Labour Party Minister Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi for defaming him in 2001.The Appeals Court ruled that the Fiji Times defamed Vayeshnoi by publishing a letter to the editor titled "The mouth returns" where he was described as a coward and other insensitive comments were made about his personality.

NATAPEI'S DECISION ON MSG UNPOPULAR. Vanuatu freelance journalist Godwin Ligo

 has told Radio New Zealand that Prime Minister Edward Natapei’s decision to defer the MSG meeting has not gone down well with the public there. Ligo says Natapei’s move caused an outcry among opposition politicians and the public, with the Opposition saying Natapei has tarnished Vanuatu’s previously solid relationship with Fiji. FBC News also understands that Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has written to Natapei informing him that Fiji’s chairmanship is not an issue to him. [a similar Letter from Moses Stevens which draws parallels between Vanuatu and Fiji will be published at the wekend.]

SUGAR EXPORT ASSURED. The new owner of Tate & Lyle's European Union Sugars division, American Sugar Refining, will not just honour existing T&L contracts to buy 300,000 tonnes annually from Fiji until 2015, but wants to buy more.

 The NZ Law Society made very serious allegations against the Fiji judiciary over the weekend. With enquiries now complete, I expect to be able to report my findings later today or tomorrow.

Fiji, the Pacific Islands and Australia

AUSTRALIA OUTPLAYS SUPREMO. I thought I'd misread this heading, but no, this is how the blog Coupfourpointfive  reports a "Media in the Pacific"  article by Graeme Dobell.*  Dobell seems to think that because Vanuatu PM Natapei deferred the MSG meeting,  and I quote, "Australia can point to mounting evidence that it is closer to the rest of the South Pacific than Fiji." Dream on!

The leaders of ten PI nations, the Director of PiPP, FTUC leader Daniel Urai and even Major-General Rabuka do not think so. That leaves Dobell, Usaia Waqatairewa (see below)  and presumably the publishers of Coupfourpointfive.

*Dobell is Radio Australia's Associate Editor for Asia Pacific, and a regular contributor to the Lowry Institute's The Interpreter. Radio Australia is owned by the Australian Government. The Lowry Institute calls itself an "independent international policy think tank." Its directors comprise four members of the wealthy Lowry family (Westfield shopping centres), former ambassadors, bankers and businessmen.

TEN PACIFIC COUNTRIES CONFIRMED. The President of  Kiribati  and the Prime Ministers of Papua New Guinea, Solomon, and Tuvalu will attend as well as seven other Island states. Vanuatu has confirmed they will be attending and will be  represented by  either the Deputy Prime Minister or the Foreign Affairs Minister.

The attendance of PMs Sir Michael Somare and Derek Sikua deserves special mention. Sir Michael is facing a no confidence motion and Dr Sikua is in the middle of an election campaign. Ratu Inoke said this demonstrates the support that Fiji has throughout the Pacific, through our strong history of working together in our own Pacific style, like ‘Talanoa sessions”. 

“This shows real strength of the Pacific Islands which is our solidarity  and unity for the security, peace, progress of our Pacific People” Ratu Inoke stressed.

During the meeting the Prime Minister, Commodore Bainimarama will brief the Island Leaders on the progress of Fiji’s Roadmap for Democracy and Strategic Framework for Change. The meeting is for two days, next Thursday and Friday.

USAIA WANTS MURDOCH HELP. Usaia Waqatairewa, the Sydney-based president of the Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement is openly appealing to Pacific Islands Forum leaders not to attend the meeting "because it is the desperate action of an out of touch pariah dictatorship" and has called on Rupert Murdoch's News Ltd to help him set up an anti-government pirate station within Fiji. His appeal is reported in Rupert Murdoch's News Ltd The Australian.[More on this tomorrow.]


FTUC CALLS FOR CHANGED AUSSIE ATTITUDE. The Fiji Trades Union Congress is calling on Australia to change their political attitude against Fiji - if they are interested in seeing Fiji go back to full democracy and hold elections by 2014. FTUC national president Daniel Urai says Fiji will certainly need assistance from Australia to hold general elections, as it has in the past.

He says it is unfortunate that members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group are finding it difficult to attend the meeting in Fiji due to continued pressure by Australia and New Zealand who are using bully tactics against the smaller island nations.  Urai says they don’t want Australia and New Zealand using cheque book and bullying tactics to try and push Pacific island countries to do what they want.

RABUKA SAYS RELATIONS NEVER BEEN THIS BAD. Former Fijian prime minister Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka has criticised Australia's ongoing travel bans on Fiji's military. Last month, two key Fijian rugby players were banned from entering Australia to play the Wallabies in Canberra. Rabuka said the bans are making Fijians feel as if they are under siege."We see it as a sanction against the people of Fiji and the Fiji national team and it's pushing us into a consolidated position against Australia or against those are bringing up these kind of sanctions against us," he said.

PiPP CALLS HEADS AND TAILS. Derek Brien, Exec. Director of Vanuatu-based Pacific Institute of Public Policy plays it both ways. On the one hand he says, "Ultimately Fiji's suspension from the Forum may not have helped regional efforts to engage with Fiji's regime on returning to democracy." On the other hand, he says,  "But Fiji has done itself no favours by its own actions, for example by trying to arrange this MSG-PLUS, effectively an attempt to undermine the Forum or to side-step the Forum." Right.

But the suspension did come before the reaction. And if he is also right in predicting the Engaging Fiji meeting "is threatening to overshadow next month's Forum leaders summit in Vanuatu" who should we blame for this? Why doesn't he just say, "We (Australia and NZ) got it wrong. A "Public Policy" change is needed here, fellers."

The meaning is clear but just about everything else is wrong about this cartoon posted on the ozfiji. com website.  The cap is not a RFMF one, the palms are not coconuts, hardly anyone lives in a bure any more (under 4% in 1996, or 4,800 Fijians and 465 Indo-Fijians!) and  not many bure have so many windows. Ling Ling should visit Fiji to see what things really look like.

As for the message, my understanding is that  ethnic Fijians have always been i-taukei and Fijian, and they always will be.  The only change is that now  all citizens  are legally Fijian.

Just as in New Zealand where there are Maori New Zealanders, Pakeha New Zealanders, Chinese and, yes, Fijian New Zealanders, Fiji will now have i-taukei Fijians, Rotuman Fijians, Solomoni Fijians, Kailoma Fijians, and so on.  In some situations Maori will say they are Maori; and in others New Zealanders. Ethnic Fijians will be i-taukei or Fijian as the situation demands.

The Decree is about promoting national identity and a sense of belonging for all Fiji citizens. No one loses anything. All should gain.

Where's the MSG Constitution?

 I received this comment indirectly via an email and hope the author does not mind me using it.

Throughout this whole matter, with the wranglings of ANZ versus MSG and the normal protocol lines of foreign policy talk, including a short press statement by MSG Secretariat on the postponment matter, there has been one important matter missing. Either the media have missed out on it, or no-one is reading between the lines.

The MSG has a formal Constitution document, which drafted by Vanuatu lawyer Bill Bani. If there is a procedural question as to the holding of a meeting or the term of office of a chairmanship, is it not the 'normal thing' to check what the Constitution of MSG says in regards to such a matter. In listening to Radio Australia, Daily Post and other media outlets, I have not come across any comment or statement as to what the MSG Constitution states in these matters.

Fiji Sets Vision for a Modern State

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Legal equality, modernising laws and liberalising the economy are the key components of the Fiji's vision of a modern state, says Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
 
Sayed-Khaiyum says the vision stemmed from the belief that there are some fundamental problems within Fiji’s governmental system.

Solomon Islands Government Glad to Assist Fiji

The Solomon Islands Government is happy to engage in any mission that will help Fiji out of its problems and pressures.

This is the reassurance from Solomon Island Prime Minister's Office responding to questions sent by Fijivillage stating that the Solomon Islands maintains an open door policy on Fiji's situation and is happy to engage in any mission that will help Fiji. Speaking to Fijivillage from Honiara this morning Secretary to the Prime Ministers Office Jeremiah Manele said the Solomon Islands stands ready to help Fiji.

A Response to Dr Michael O'Keefe

Dr Michael 0'Keefe of La Trobe University has come out of the woodwork rather too late for anything commendable to be said of him. Stating the obvious is not necessarily smart. He fails to gauge with accuracy the situation on the ground in Fiji. People have died in Fiji and out of Fiji due to Australia's misguided policy towards Fijians. No one who has a health condition in Fiji will thank Australia or New Zealand for their dilemma or their imposed choice. Instead, a number of people known personally to me have died for a lack of prompt assistance and no obvious alternative. Hot footing it to India is hardly a helpful choice if one is dying of Cancer of the Colon? The experience of the past ten years in Fiji under the tutelage (is that what it is???) of Australia's Foreign Policy is so revealing that we do not require Australian-based academics to add to our understanding of what has signally failed: Australian politicians and their Think Tanks of whatever political persuasion.

There is absolutely no point in trying to pick up the pieces now of your ridiculous and compromised foreign policy. The inadequately trained diplomats sent to the Islands of the South Pacific over too many years have made you more than a laughing stock: Pariah of the Pacific might be more appropriate. You think that is extreme? Then look at the consequences of your actions on the ground. No amount of sugared pills in Aid will ever erase those or bring back all those who died unnecessarily and are dying in Fiji and adjacent islands now.   --- Daucina Dina.   [For other responses, see 'Comments'. -- Ed.]

Switch off the Autopilot in the Pacific

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

Michael O'Keefe in the Sydney Morning Herald 

July 16, 2010

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

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.

Fuel Price Yoyo

Fuel prices are going down again, hooray. However, sometimes I wonder if those who control world fuel prices are making a fool of us. Not long after it goes up someone decides to lower it again. Not long after that it goes up again. Don’t you feel like  a yoyo rushing to the petrol station  to fill up when you hear that it is gonna go up?

What is the world coming to. Can't people who control these things put a stabiliser on  prices. As a matter of fact, when fuel prices go up traders usually raise the price of certain goods to offset the fuel cost and pass it on to consumers via the cost of goods. However, these prices never come down again because no one ever checks. A rise of 5 or 10 cents on an article doesn’t seem much but five thousand people multiplied by 10 cents is quite a sum.  If a trader raises the cost of 10 items by 5 cents it is not noticeable.  Unassuming consumers just go on buying oblivious to the fact the cost of that item had gone up by an insignificant 5 or 10 cent. But when fuel prices go down the prices remain the same.

Oh, I am aware of these little things because my dollar no longer stretches like it used to before and I notice if the price of an item that I buy every week has gone up.

Letting PM Vent His Spleen, Another 'Hit Job' on Fiji Tourism, Regenvanu Doubts Natapei's MSG Story

ALLEN LOCKINGTON SAYS "I just want to say that while the Australian and New Zealand governments play hard ball with our government, most of our people and their people at ground level have gotten on with life.   We can’t do much, yet.To mope and carry long faces only gives us indigestion."

PM'S WORDS DISAPPOINTING. I have nothing more to add to yesterday's posting "Bainimarama Ambivalent, What's Needed ..." but I urge readers to record their opinions by clicking on "Comments" below the post. Here's an extract from one of them. 'Keeping the Faith' wrote:

"Anyone who knows the PM, knows he's speaking in anger and humiliation. So we need to allow him to vent his spleen and then remind him that his whole credibility depends on keeping his word. I don't care what he says to Australia and NZ to goad them. I do care what he says to the "Fijian" people ..."

ANOTHER TVNZ 'HIT JOB' ON FIJI TOURISM. Will it ever stop, the constant negative publicity churned out almost daily by our supposedly balanced media? Never before has Fiji "enjoyed" such publicity. In an item headed Fiji deteriorating as holiday destination? a writer called Thinkstock makes the most ridiculous claims: tourists may go elsewhere because of a $25 (that's NZ$16.57!) increase in the departure tax, price gouging and deteriorating   infrastructure.


He cites Aviation commentator Peter Clark as saying "the lack of infrastructure was astounding" (where was he staying? I certainly did not notice it); being "grossly overcharged for accommodation and food (cut rate prices are available for anyone who looks, and for an experienced traveller he should know hotels and resorts have always been dearer than the restaurant down the road). If he paid, as he said, $6.50 for one small scoop of ice cream, more fool him. And of course hotel prices go up over the school holidays. They always have.  But he doesn't end there. Air Pacific's recent huge financial loss "is a sign of things to come" (Huh! If you're into signs, then travel on anotherairline.) 


He says tourist money not going back to the people. But he keeps his biggest punch for smarmy last. Fiji people are great, he says. We want to help them. But "Money is not going back to the people [they] "are not gaining anything as very little money is going back into their villages." What on earth does he mean by this? How can he possibly know? And, for his information, not all Fijians live in villages, and not all Fiji ciizens are ethnic Fijians."It's our closest neighbour," he writes, "the people are great and New Zealanders want to go there to support it, but I don't think we are supporting the locals." If you continue to write like this, you most certainly are not.


For your information. Flight Centre has Auckland-Nadi return four nights accommodation packages ranging from NZ$769 to $1,105. If you travel AirPacific, one child travels free. And don't forget many things are much cheaper to buy in Fiji than NZ.  Your NZ$100 converts to F$134. And if you spend more than $500, they refund the 12.5% VAT (GST) on your departure! See also this House of Travel rebuttal posted on Scoop.


Footnote: The NZ Listener Health column ran a similarly misleading article in its 12-18 June issue.  The article relied heavily on the advice of a Dennis Mundy of Pacific Medicare. He recommended up to $100,000 insurance coverage because Fiji hospitals are "resource bankrupt. They can't cope with locals, let alone tourists." This is an alarmist exaggeration about public hospitals.  He didn't mention the world-class Suva Private Hospital and its clinic in Lautoka, or the fact that Kiwis living in Fiji don't think it necessary to take out $100k insurances. When one reads stories like this, you can only repeat the saying, "Who needs enemies when you have friends like this."

Regenvanu Cast Doubts on Natapei's MSG Story

Sethy Regenvanu was a Presbyterian Church Pastor trained at Pacific Theological  College, Veiuto, when it first opened in 1968. He was involved in the pro-independence movement and was the Deputy Prime Minister to Fr Walter Lini at independence in 1980. He was a Member of Parliament for many years before retiring. In October 2004 he was seconded for a three-year appointment by his church  to St. Andrew's Church in Suva. The letter casts doubts on the MSG story as told by Vanuatu PM Natapei.  You may need to press Ctrl and + simultaneously to enlarge.
 
 

Bainimarama Ambivalent, What's Needed, Sikua Coming, Bitten by Termites

BAINIMARAMA STILL AMBIVALENT. Just as I was about to publish today's postings, I read two comments by PM Bainimarama on the 2014 Election issue. In the first he said "he wants elections to be held in Fiji in 2014 but a lot of work needs to be done and it is only realistic that there will be delays if there is continued obstruction and interference by countries like Australia and NZ."

In the second, a response to the CCF statement that Fiji should not use the MSG to further its own agenda,  I agree with the PM. Fiji is a perfectly legitimate item on any MSG agenda. But I thought it an unkind, unnecessary and untrue swipe at the CCF to imply that because it was funded by overseas donors, it would do what the donors dictate. The accusation demeans you,  Prime Minister. Akuila Yabaki does not need to persuade anyone of this personal integrity. And you did not reply to the CCF's main point, the need for assurances about elections in 2014. 

WHAT WE NEEDED FROM YOU, PRIME MINISTER WAS THIS:   A firm statement that, come hell or high water, elections will be held in 2014. You might have said something like this:

"A lot needs to be done before we have elections, and overseas countries like Australian and New Zealand, are making our work more difficult. We really need their technical and legal expertise to carry out parts of the Roadmap, but if they won't help, we'll work twice as hard and look elsewhere for help.

"We were also hoping to advance the dialogue process on constitutional and electoral reform so that all we have to do in 2012 and 2013 is 'press the button' to enact new laws. This now seems less likely  but when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

"Within the next few weeks my Government will make public a full report on Roadmap progress to date, together with more detailed guidelines and, where possible, dates, for its various  milestones.  Those who say we are looking for excuses to delay elections are not Fiji's friends.  Come hell or high water (or equivalent in Fijian),  there will be elections in 2014. Full stop."

That's all you had to say, Prime Minister, and your friends and the undecided in Fiji and overseas would have been reassured, and  you would have shamed your detractors and caused their supporters to re-think their support. Essentially, it's a military strategy called taking the fight to your enemy.

SOLOMON ISLANDS PM WILL ENGAGE FIJI. Dr Derek Sikua will attend the 'Engaging Fiji' meeting to be held at the Inter Continental Resort in Natadola  on July 22–23.

As one reader put it: "This puts an entirely different complexion on the MSG debacle. Let's put it this way: Somare was always unlikely to come while he fought a no confidence motion that threatened his own position. Natapei has been lent on by the Australians to the tune of $66-million in funding from Ausaid this year. Remember, Vanuatu has a record of being bought off as evidenced by their flirtation with both China and Taiwan. Sikua is coming to Natadola in a show of solidarity with Fiji. You can be sure that as soon as Frank got off the plane from Seoul yesterday morning, he hit the phones. Bingo. Shame he couldn't have headed off this crisis in the first place using his famous powers of persuasion."

Speaking earlier Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said  there are many Pacific Island  leaders that have indicated their willingness to support Fiji’s progress in implementing the Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-economic Development and Fiji’s Strategic Framework for Change as stipulated under the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress.

“The Fiji Government is keen to discuss these issues with leaders  and friends who have an interest in Fiji’s sustainable development and also understand the role that this plays in the context of the Pacific. Fiji has been sincere, transparent and open about what it has set out to achieve in its Roadmap for Fiji’s return to parliamentary democracy, and we are fully determined to seeing this through.In that regard, Fiji has engaged closely with the international community and partners in creating that pathway forward towards a true and sustainable democracy."

To conclude today's postings with a little light relief ...

FIELD BITTEN BY TERMITES. Continuing the story of Michael Field and the revised budget. 

Field Fiction: "In addition," he wrote in disbelief, "his [Bainimarama's] economic projections knocked over by a termite outbreak in Nadi [actually it was Lautoka]. Who does he think he is kidding? Termite treatment costs less than the Chinese weapons he is proposing to buy for the RFMF." [This is the first I've heard about this supposed purchase.]

The Termite Facts: "It will be a huge task trying to destroy the termites infesting Lautoka as they are now 6 to 18 feet underground," says Australian termites expert Dr Brandon Peters. Peters says the fight to eradicate the termites will take longer than the six months allocated by government. He says the situation in Lautoka is the worst he has come across in his 36 years of experience, and that the termites have been in Lautoka for 30 years.

"FIELD VISITS FIJI REGULARLY." Radio Australia asked Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, Michael Field and Prof. Brij Lal to comment on Sarah Roberts expulsion. Host Alison Caldwell introduced "New Zealand journalist Michael Field [who] visits Fiji regularly" and  Brij who"co wrote Fiji's new constitution." Field hasn't visited Fiji since early 2007 (I have visited more frequenlty and much more recently but, in the spirit of media freedom, ABC has stopped interviewing me!) and Brij was the co-writer of the draft Constitution promulgated 13 years ago! For further "factual" comments, read the interview. Nit-picking perhaps, but nits need to be picked.

Citizens’ Constitutional Forum: Election Promise Must Be Honoured

Fiji needs to keep its election promise and talk to Pacific neighbours

The Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF) calls on Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to honour the commitment he made to have democratic elections by 2014.

“Fiji cannot sit in isolation from the rest of the world. Bainimarama promised the people of Fiji and our regional and international stakeholders, that elections will be held at the latest by 2014. Bainimarama needs to honour that promise,” CCF Chief Executive Officer Reverend Akuila Yabaki said.

CCF also calls for renewed dialogue with its regional partners and neighbours.

Bainimarama Needs to Show World, Election Electronics, Field Fiction

Prime Minister Bainimarama has  invited leaders  of Pacific  Island  countries   to  participate in an “Engaging  Fiji" meeting  to be held at the Inter Continental Resort in Natadola  on July 22 – 23. More later. 

CONGRATULATIONS, SOLOMON TIMES, for publishing the only balanced foreign media account of Sarah Roberts's expulsion that I have seen. Click here.

CONGRATULATIONS ALSO to the people who have taken the time to write insightful comments on recent postings, though I do wish people would use pseudonyms. Readers' response to Na Sala Cavu, however, continues to disappoint. If you've not been there before, click on the orange forked road icon in the right sidebar. Read. Vote. Comment. Then scroll down to earlier questions on Fiji's future.

BAINIMARAMA NEEDS TO SHOW THE WORLD.  Hi there Croz, I agree with your analysis of Bainimarama’s ad lib reaction as well as Field having another field day! There is little doubt in my mind about Aussie interference with the MSG process and meeting.

However, as you have suggested previously, Bainimarama and his government need to show the world that there are moves afoot towards constitutional discussions including ‘dialogue’. There should be discussions on the most appropriate electoral system for the country over a longer time frame which might help us to eschew those racial pitfalls of the past. It is hardly likely that we’ll have the most appropriate constitution and electoral system if we delay discussion until 2012, and elections in 2014. **

Apart from the bill of rights, many things will require prolonged discussion. These include the parliamentary set up (a single or two houses), elections and nature of franchise/representation, constituency boundaries, duration of governments, constitution offices, the presidency (elected or unelected), entrenched provisions including land ownership, etc., political parties (their organization, accountability and transparency), constitutional amendments, etc., etc.

It is hardly likely that we’ll suddenly have fully fledged democracy in 2014 after 7-8 years of military-backed unelected governments without opening up discussions very soon. This will entail the lifting  of PERs and media controls.

The deep seated ‘racial mistrusts’ also need to be addressed and this far very little has been done in any systematic way beyond rhetoric. -- Name withheld, Suva, Fiji.

** Ed. note. Na Sala Cava is an informal way to start these discussions. 

TRAINING FOR 2014 ELECTIONS STARTS. The first group of officials to learn about the new Electronic Voting Registration system to be used in 2014 have completed their training. Strategic Framework for Change central coordinator Sitiveni Raturala  told FBC News the training is part of the Roadmap to democratic elections announced last year by Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama.

Raturala says preparations are on track and going to plan.The new voting system will have no communal voting and everyone will be registered under one roll. Raturala said the Roadmap directs that by 2013 a constitution should be in place and elections should be held in 2014.

This is good news but not quite good enough. Preparations for the elections require more than technical know how by a small team.  They need the "big team of Fiji" to be engaged in discussions on electoral reform, starting now with small groups and increasing to fuller consultations and dialogue well before 2012.


FIELD BLOWN AWAY. Michael Field has been making news recently. Two weeks ago he reported on cyclones and termites and the Revised Budget; this week he tried to have Bainimarama set a new date for elections. But back to the cylones and termites. 

Field Fiction: On his website, he writes,"Another clue that all is rotten in Fiji is in Voreqe Bainimarama’s emergency [actually, revised] budget. He said he had to bring it out because of unexpected events that he did not think of in his earlier budget. These included cyclones and rain. Cyclones and rain, unexpected, in Fiji?"  

The Cyclone Facts: "Thousands of Fijians have fled their homes as Cyclone Tomas sweeps across the island nation. Tomas, a category four storm and bigger than Hurricane Katarina which destroyed New Orleans ...Tomas has  estimated average winds of 175kmh and momentary gusts up to 230kmh close to the centre, Fijian weather officials said."  The PM and Minister of Finance said $143 million had to be diverted from other purposes to meet the cost of two natural disasters ( Hurricanes Mike and Tomas), which struck Fiji within four months. Total hurricane damage was estimated at $1 billion. Tomorrow we'll continue this exciting saga.

What Did Bainimarama Say? What Did He Mean?

 Opinion. Crosbie Walsh

(Photo: Bainimarama as he is usually portrayed on NZ TV.)
 
Prime Minister Bainimarama is sometimes his own worst enemy.  He should know by now never, absolutely never, to make unprepared statements to the media. If he does, they will savage him as they have done with his latest remarks which have raised doubts about an election being held in 2014. What he says should leave no doubt about what he means.

This is not the first time he, and they, have acted in this way.  On his return from his provincial tour of Lomaiviti just over a month ago he told a Fiji Sun reporter the people supported his reforms and asked him to stay in power after 2014.  His remark was in response to Australia's Smith and New Zealand's McCully's remarks,  made after the Auckland Forum dialogue with Fiji, that the situation in Fiji had deteriorated. Readers will remember Bainimarama withdrew his invitation to visit Fiji immediately afterwards.  Bainimarama had not for one moment said that elections may not be held, or that the "people"  represented national opinion (they were the remarks of villagers) but that is what the media took from his comment.

And this is what they have done, quite deliberately, with Bainimarama's interview with Radio Tarana, made by phone from Korea, in the wake of the the sudden cancellation of the MSG Plus meeting that was to be held in Fiji next week, as Bainimarama was still reeling from what he saw as Australia's involvement in a MSG betrayal.

The interview was then, predictably, taken up by Michael Field. And who can blame  him. His continuous one-sided and false reporting (think of his recent totally unsubstantiated  accusation of Mugabe-style confiscations of White-owned farms in Viti Levu!)  shows he has a score to settle with Fiji and Bainimarama has once again provided him with an opportunity that was too good to miss.

First, read what Field reported Bainimarama to have said, taken from the Tarana interview. Note the obviously hurried, ad lib and disjointed sequence of Bainimarama's remarks. It is not hard to see how his intent could be misconstrued.

"In fact, I am all of a sudden thinking we might not be ready for 2014 for election if we don't get any assistance from Australia and New Zealand for instance ... If we reach 2014 and we are not ready because of constant interfering, we are not going to give up our government to political parties...I am seriously thinking about the date of the elections, the interference by these people, but I can tell you nothing is going to stop us from doing what needs to be done continuing on this pathway we need reforms ... That is going to happen, whether Australia likes or not, whether New Zealand likes it or not, they don't live in Fiji, they don't know what is happening in Fiji."

My  reading of these remarks  indicates they were thought up as he spoke. This was not a prepared response, and certainly not a statement on a change of policy. He says the idea of deferring elections "suddenly occurred" to him. I think it was his way of getting back at Australia.

Read his ideas in sequence, and then ask yourself what he really meant. He proceeded from the idea of their (Australian) assistance, to their interference, with a reference to political parties (we'll come back to that) and then moved on to say nothing will stop the needed reforms.

The reforms to which he referred are those Fiji is currently engaged on which will continue until 2014. They include electoral reforms.  If the reforms were stopped now and left incomplete, his government would have to hand over to the "political parties" (that is, the race-based  political parties he ousted in 2006). But when the reform process is complete, new non race-based parties will emerge to contest the elections in 2014.

Bainimarama was not seriously thinking about deferring the elections or not handing over government to the new parties formed for the 2014 election. He was using a bluff to warn Australia to stop meddling in Fiji affairs: 'Your interference could derail or delay the reforms.  We will not allow that.' It was a poorly executed bluff which boomeranged, with the usual assistance of Michael Field and the several media outlets that used his story.

One might hope the more discerning readers will see Field's widely  circulated report for what it is: another attempt to discredit the Bainimarama government and cast doubts about elections in 2014. And they probably will. Unfortunately, the typical reader and viewer will accept the story literally, as it was told, repleat with Bainimarama in his unchanged military uniform, as on New Zealand TV1 last night.

With respect, Prime Minister,  the foreign media will always pounce on your ambiguities and use them to Fiji's disadvantage, misinform their  readers, and influence Australian and New Zealand policies on Fiji -- and these were sufficiently ill-informed before you cast further doubt on the waters.

Public Sector Reforms: 6. Effects of the Travel Bans

Edited extracts from my Interview with Parmesh Chand, Permanent Secretary Public Service Commission. Vinaka, Tui, for this transcript.

Croz: How are travel bans affecting you?

Parmesh Chand: All the Permanent Secretaries are on the travel ban. Any official who accepts a senior appointment in government which is a gazette appointment. They pick up the Gazette notice and put you on travel ban. 


I was a permanent secretary long before the coup. The permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s office got pushed out so did a number of others. I was one of the two top performing permanent secretaries. The other lady who was my counterpart, she got appointed by the Ministry of Education and I got selected to go to PrimeMinister’s Office and then came the travel ban on me and my family.

I’m still on the travel ban and New Zealand and Australian Officials will not come to this
office to discuss anything. I think they should relax the travel ban on government officials at least. I mean the civil servants are contracted by the Public Service Commission to provide a service.

I can understand why the ban is on the key people but I can’t see why it comes down to the
civil service, nor I can’t see why it goes to the lower ranks or the rugby? 


Australia runs a leadership programme called PACE and permanent secretaries are in positions of leadership. They lead ministries. But they don’t invite permanent secretaries. They will send you the invites and if you register your name, they will say no it was not meant for you .

I attended a Pacific Island Commissioners' Conference of Public Service held in the
Solomon Islands that was funded by the Commonwealth, Australia and New Zealand. But they refused to fund us so we decided to fund ourselves and went. It became obvious that we were being sidelined, so the Tongan guy stood up and said, 'Look, Fiji has got the largest
public service out of the Pacific Island countries and they have paid their way to be here. Why are we excluding them?' So the Australians and Kiwi’s chickened out after that, although they didn’t reimburse us anything. We didn’t want anything but we wanted to be
treated properly.

Australia Admits Lobbying, Fiji Says Quiet Diplomacy Failed

In an earlier opinion piece posted today, this blog implicated Australia in a number of issues thought to be related to the sudden and unexpected cancellation of the MSG Plus meeting that was to be held in Fiji next week.  Now Australia admits lobbying ...

SMITH ADMITS LOBBYING MSG LEADERS; FIJI REPLIES; VANUATU SUSPECT. Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith said acting high commissioner Sarah Roberts would be declared persona non grata on Tuesday, after Australia lobbied for the postponement of a regional summit in protest at Fiji’s lack of democracy.

"Australia," he said,  "has been making representations that it was inappropriate for such a meeting to occur. Whether of course the Melanesian Spearhead Group meets or not is a matter for the Melanesian Spearhead Group."

Col.Pio Tikoduadua. PermSec PM's Office said, "Essentially it's not something that has just been born out of thin air. We can't take things lying down." He added that Australia has shown no commitment towards improving relations with Fiji;  Fiji was sick of Australia's interfering and bullying; and Vanuatu's support of Australia's policy was probably linked to its highest ever AusAID allocation, over $A66 million for 2010-11.

POSTSCRIPT. Several readers have asked what's wrong with lobbying? This was Smith's or his journalist's word, not mine.  I would have chosen complicity or interference.

'QUIET DIPLOMACY' FAILED. Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said Fiji had exhausted all avenues and on numerous occasions we have relayed our concerns to the Acting High Commissioner.

These actions ultimately result in undermining  the growth prospects of the Fiji economy and the good rapport between Pacific Island Countries, The practice of quiet diplomacy was given every chance to prevail by Fiji authorities in our efforts to seek understanding and co-operation. Ms Roberts was advised to stop interfering in Fiji's domestic affairs, he said.

The Minister said the Australian government has been engaged in strategies to undermine Fiji's sovereignty and weaken the economy, and this has been further highlighted by calling on MSG countries, especially Vanuatu, not to attend the MSG Leaders Summit.

The  MSG leaders summit and associated meetings is very important to Fiji and the Pacific countries given the opportunity it presents to expand ties in trade, tourism and peoples exchange. A strong MSG makes a strong Pacific Islands Forum.

According to Ratu Inoke, most of the non-MSG member countries had already accepted the invitation to attend. Ratu Inoke said Australia has no business in the MSG leaders summit but has continued to discourage MSG member States.

This is evident in the increase in aid from Australia in its 2010-2011 budget to the Pacific.  This special aid from Australia will see the Vanuatu Government  receive $66.4m, the highest ever in the country's aid from Australia.

Ratu Inoke has expressed disappointment at the continued efforts by Australia to undermine the Fiji Government's effort to boost the economy and return to Parliamentary democracy by 2014.

Fiji is being subjected to undue pressure and frustrated in its efforts by the use of economic, financial and political clout of Australia  who feel that they are the sole arbiter for what is best for us all, Ratu Inoke said.

Fiji as a Sovereign State will not be influenced by Australia on what we consider to be of benefit to our country and people. Ratu Inoke said that it is extremely important that Australia re-engages with Fiji and that continue dialogue to work  through issues. Unfortunately, this did not work in Ms Sarah Roberts's case. But he remains open and optimistic that our temporarily strained diplomatic relations are repairable. -- Based on Mininfo release.

FIJI STILL HOSTS. Fiji will still host representatives from other countries that have confirmed their arrival to next week's meeting, says the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Ministers Office Colonel Pio Tikoduadua.Tikoduadua says there are other issues to discuss with other countries apart from the cancelled MSG meet.
“We have not cancelled the arrival of the leaders who will want to come and take advantage of the opportunity to pursue other matters. We have not received word yet from Papua New Guinea or the Solomon Islands or the leader of the FLNKS movement. At this point in time we are still preparing for the leaders meeting with or without Natapei.”

MSG in Trouble, the Sarah Roberts Expulsion, and Diplomats' DOs and DON'Ts

THE END OF THE MSG? Fiji  has urged Vanuatu PM and MSG chairman Edward Natapei to urgently consider Prime Minister Bainimarama’s suggestion on 8 July to convene as early as next week a “Special Meeting of MSG Leaders” to resolve the Chairmanship issue. The government statement says this is an important issue for the MSG region and it is important that Natapei does not delay its discussion unnecessarily. Without this it seems highly unlike there will be a MSG meeting until 2014, and by then it may be redundant.

PM Bainimarama says without Fiji’s participation, the MSG will not be able to convene as a group. "Everyone should give Vanuatu Prime Minister Edward Natapei a pat in the back for destroying the MSG and bowing to Australia’s wishes. " He said Natapei’s decision to defer at the 11th hour was disappointing as preparations were at their advanced stage.Bainimarama says Fiji does not want to be part of a compromised MSG. There are, however, rumours that some sort of "MSG" may go ahead next week.

WHAT DIPLOMATS CAN AND CANNOT DO (without being sent home).Acting Australian High Commissioner Sarah Roberts was expelled today under Article 9.1 of the 1961 Vienna Convention that regulates diplomatic relations between states.  While this is a most disappointing consequence of recent MSG events (in my view an unwise reaction to these events) we need reminding what diplomatic staff can and cannot do in a foreign country. Article 3.1 of spells out the functions of a diplomatic mission. In addition to representing and protecting the interests of, and reporting (by all legal means) information to the sending state, the mission should also negotiate with the Government of the receiving state, and promote friendly relations.

Article 41.1 says it is the duty of the mission to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State, noting in particular that "They also have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State."

Sarah Roberts seems to have breached Article 41.1 of the Convention by seeking to  influence MSG representatives in Suva to get their countries to cancel next week's meeting, but  if  "diplomacy is the art of letting other people achieve your ends," she (and other Australian diplomats throughout the Region) have let other people, Natapei and the MSG leaders,  achieve Australia's ends.

THEY WERE WARNED.  Over a week ago, Bainimarama called on Australia to stop interfering in its internal affairs. His remarks following a comment by an unnamed Australian Foreign Affairs official in Murdock-owned The Australian newspaper, that "the people may have no choice but to stand up to Bainimarama and his thugs." Bainimarama said, "The article was inciting the people of Fiji to rise against his government and promoting further unrest. 

SMITH RESPONDS TO EXPULSION. Australia's Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says the reasons for the expulsion of their Acting Head of Mission in Suva are linked to Vanuatu's postponement of the coming meeting of the Melanesian Spearhead Group due to concerns about Fiji's role as chair. He also suspects it relates to his criticism of Fiji's interim government. But he says he will not respond by removing Fiji's only official in Canberra. "If I responded in kind that would see Fiji unrepresented in Australia and would effectively see the end of our formal diplomatic contact," he said.

Why Did the MSG Leaders Change Their Minds?

Opinion
Crosbie Walsh
13 July 2010

Background
Exactly one year ago today the Melanesian Spearhead Group resolved to ask the Pacific Islands Forum to lift the ban on Fiji at the meeting in Cairns in August. The MSG believed they were legally bound to allow Fiji to take part in regional trade and economic agreements such as PACER Plus and PICTA.

Radio Australia's Sean Dorney saw their decision as "quite a victory for Commodore Bainimarama. "Some of us," he said,  "were expecting there to be some suggestion or some urging of him to go to elections earlier than his proclaimed time of September 2014. But when the leaders finally had their news conference on Friday night, it was pretty clear that they were just saying right Commodore, we think you're on the right track. You've convinced us that you've got the plans that are going to suit Fiji into the future and we'll go along with what you say."

Here's what the newly appointed MSG Chairman Vanuatu's Prime Minister, Edward Natapei (photo), had to say:

"MSG Leaders noted the Government of Fiji's "Strategic Framework for Change" which was announced on 1st July 2009. The Framework sets out key milestones and timelines on major political and structural reforms which are necessary for sustainable democracy. A major component of this reform, reform agenda is the formulation of a new Constitution that will ensure equal suffrage for all people of Fiji including electoral reform.

Leaders noted that the Framework reflected a clear vision and strategic direction for far reaching changes that the people of Fiji would need in order to achieve sustainable democracy.

Now on Fiji and the Pacific Islands Forum: Leaders acknowledged the central role Fiji plays in the Pacific region, particularly within the Pacific Islands Forum - PIF - and its associated agencies, and called on members of the Pacific Islands Forum and development partners to engage in open and constructive dialogue with Fiji.

Leaders noted the importance of Fiji being continuously engaged in the PIF and the MSG. Leaders further recognise the importance of collective and inclusive group engagement in pursuing their common interests in the region, including economic cooperation arrangements.

Leaders recognised Fiji's right to participate in regional trade and economic cooperation agreements such as PICTA, PACER Plus and the interim EPA. The exclusion of Fiji from discussions of these agreements would be invalid and therefore the decisions pertaining to those agreements would be null and void."

But Fiji never went to Cairns. It was never allowed its "right to participate" in anything.  Somehow the MSG leaders had changed their minds.

Natapei's Further Mind Change
So what  caused Natapei and, apparently, the MSG leaders to change their minds about attending the MSG meeting in Fiji next week, and why was their decision so long delayed?

Was it because having Bainimarama chair the meeting was a "threat to the organization's values," as Natapei claims?   Or because all the MSG leaders thought, contrary to the evidence, that the situation had deteriorated in Fiji since they endorsed Bainimarama's "Strategic Framework for Change" 12 month's ago? Natapei's reference to an "impasse" on the chairmanship could be the explanation except that  only one week ago PNG assured us that Natapei had agreed to Bainimarama chairing the meeting.  And why was this turn-around decision left so late?  Natapei says he's invited Bainimarama to visit Vanuatu to resolve the matter but, as he must have known, this invitation came too late to "resolve the matter" and  hold the Fiji meeting.

Natapei's invitation is a little cheeky. He supported Fiji's inclusion in the Cairns meeting and then backtracked. He supported the Strategic Framework for Change and backtracked again. He agreed to Bainimarama chairing the Fiji meeting and backtracked yet again. He accepted the invitation to attend the meeting and then scrapped the meeting, causing unnecessary costs, insult and humiliation to Fiji and Bainimarama personally. And then, to add to the insult, he invites Bainimarama to Vanuatu so he can "resolve the matter." Why didn't he  go to Fiji and sort it out there? And who gave him the authority to resolve the situation, anyway? He said all the MSG leaders were involved. [P.S. One report says there are.]

Something Doesn't Quite Tick
Something about all these comings and goings doesn't quite tick.  There are just too many coincidences.

In addition to the latest about-face by Natapei and the MSG, we have the Australian-PNG meeting in Alotau last week when PNG agreed to two Fiji clauses in their joint communique. Then there's the reports that the Australia's Acting High Commissioner in Suva has been urging MSG countries to boycott the Fiji meeting (and presumably similar actions in Australia and other MSG countries). And Vanuatu's hosting of the Forum meeting next month. It would be most surprising if there were not a link between these happenings.

It is also conceivable that the likely forthcoming "no confidence" motion against the Somare government may be connected. Somare, a long-time friend of Fiji, was in no position to exercise his usual influence just when it was most needed.

Several observers said a successful MSG Plus meeting in Fiji would put "Australia's nose out of joint." There was even talk of a reinvigorated MSG and a threat to the integrity of the Forum. Australia, which is not a member of the MSG, could not allow this to happen. It must remain the dominant player in the Region and in the Forum. Coincidences or not, the outcome is a happy one for Australia.

Unhappy Day for Fiji
What it has done to assist Fiji is another question.  Natapei says the MSG has a "more critical role to play in assisting Fiji to restore parliamentary democracy through increased dialogue and interaction ... across all levels of Fiji society.." These are the "choice" words of those opposed to what Bainimarama is trying to do.

Bainimarama wants to move forward to parliamentary democracy, not back. He does not want dialogue and interaction with "all levels" if this means with the parliamentarians he ousted in 2006. And he certainly won't be impressed, as his Government picks up the expense tabs, with Natapei's version of  "Melanesian values and traditional practices."

There is one slight possibility that  some good might eventuate as a result of this unhappy day for Fiji if it results in an acceleration of the dialogue process and  more inclusive involvement leading to elections in 2014. But this would have been more likely to happen as a result of discussion among friends at the MSG Plus meeting. I suspect Bainimarama will now be less likely to listen to those he can no longer trust. Unfortunately, his first act will probably be to expel the Acting Australian High Commissioner, and progress on dialogue within the country will suffer a further serious setback.

If these predictions are correct, Natapei and the MSG leaders' action, and Australia's almost certain role in at least some of the "coincidences," will have produced the exact opposite effect to that they presumable intended.  My prediction is that it will not be long before they regret what they have done, but much longer before they admit it.

Who on earth is providing this policy advice? Three and a half years down the road from 2006, Australian (and New Zealand) attempts to isolate Fiji and cause internal collapse have demonstrably failed. Their policies  have damaged the economy, brought hardship to ordinary Fijians, increased military involvement in government,  and hardened Government's resistance against inclusive dialogue.  Despite this, all the evidence points to Bainimarama's growing popularity.  Who knows, the  latest episode could make him even more popular if he is seen  as a David standing up to a Goliath.

(G) Government Statement on Deferment of MSG Plus Meeting

(MONDAY 12TH JULY, 2010 No:1007 /MFA) GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON MSG SUMMIT
The Government of Fiji is disappointed with the Chair of the MSG’s call to defer the Summit so late in our preparation and without exhausting all the political options and avenues available to him to resolve the so-called “impasse within the grouping over the Chairmanship of the MSG”.

To our knowledge only Vanuatu has an issue with Fiji hosting the MSG Summit with both the Prime Ministers of PNG and the Solomon Islands writing to the Chair last week seeking his understanding and support for Fiji to host and chair the MSG Summit.

And that understanding was based on the Melanesian custom of deferring to your host when entering his/her village or bure.

The Chair’s suggestion for him to chair the meeting hosted by Fiji sought to dispossess our Prime Minister of his role and responsibilities of hosting in his own country. It is therefore ironic that the Chair would quote Melanesian values and traditional practices when offering support to Fiji in his press statement.

Fiji hopes that the Chair would consider Prime Minister Bainimarama’s suggestion conveyed via his letter of 8 July to convene as early as next week the “Special Meeting of MSG Leaders” to resolve the Chairmanship issue.

This is an important issue for the MSG region and it is important that the Chair will not delay its discussion unnecessarily.  

Solo Mara
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Int. Cooperation & Civil Aviation
FIJI
12 July 2010

MSG Plus & Underhand, Undiplomatic Aussie High Com Behaviour

Letter From Suva: Aussie Eyes on Natadola 

by Laisa Taga, Islands Business Editor-in-Chief (Link)

Concerted effort to undermine Fiji summit
The bureaucrats who advise Australia’s new prime minister Julia Gillard will be closely watching Natadola Bay in Fiji this month. They will be following what transpires at the Melanesian Spearhead Group summit as Ms Gillard prepares for the Pacific Islands Forum meeting next month. From what is being written about her Pacific Islands knowledge, she has a lot of catching up to do before she arrives in Port Vila. She and her Pacific advisers will be closely monitoring the discussions at the MSG meeting and its outcome to gauge the islands mood.

The MSG meeting is being hosted and chaired by Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama on July 22-23 at Natadola, Fiji, an hour’s drive from Nadi International Airport.
Apart from the normal MSG business, Fiji is expected to use this summit to explain its position to other Forum islands member countries who have also been invited to attend. This is for what will be known as MSG Plus. When this edition went to press, Kiribati and Tuvalu had officially accepted the invitation to attend MSG Plus. Tonga is understood to have also accepted.

Overbearing presence
Leaders in the Northern Pacific have informed Fiji they won’t be able attend as they will be having their pre-Forum Micronesian meeting at the same time. But their officials, however, will be at Natadola, Fiji’s foreign ministry officials have been told.

A regional observer said, “Suspended from the Forum, and excluded from PACER and PACER Plus negotiations almost certainly due to Australian and New Zealand persuasion, Fiji has merely struck back. “MSG Plus will give islands leaders the chance to talk with—and see what it is happening in Fiji—without the overbearing presence of Australia and New Zealand. The Forum Melanesian nations were never totally happy with Australia and New Zealand’s hard line on Fiji,” the observer said.

What the direct outcome of the MSG meeting will be is anyone’s guess. But Australia will be watching it like a hawk. And it has been acting even before the meeting. Already Australia has been accused of working behind the scenes to undermine Fiji’s preparations for the MSG meeting.

Australia actively trying to undermine MSG Plus meeting
Letter from Suva has been reliably told that the Fiji foreign ministry has on two occasions summoned the acting Australian high commissioner Sarah Roberts to appear before the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. This was after the Ministry was told by several heads of missions based in Suva that the Australian envoy had been “attempting to influence them from accepting invitations to the MSG.”

This was again repeated by her in the most recent meeting of the Diplomatic Corps here in Suva.
It is also been alleged that Ms Roberts had invited heads of missions in Fiji to participate in a discussion on possible evacuation scenarios of foreign nationals in the event of political instability.

A diplomatic source said: “While I understand that foreign missions as part of their consular role have contingency plans for evacuation of their nationals in times of natural disasters, evacuation in the event of political instability, I understand falls outside of the ambit of such preparatory measures and presupposes something else.”

The diplomatic source added that “Ms Roberts’ undiplomatic approach has been the subject of much consternation among foreign diplomats here in Suva and constitutes interference in the internal affairs of Fiji, in breach of the United Nations Charter and International Law.”

Australian officials right around the region, Letter from Suva has been told, have been working behind the scenes to influence senior officials of the various countries they’re represented in not to attend the MSG. “They even spoke to the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, not to attend the MSG,” the diplomatic source said.

Whatever the outcome of the MSG Plus will be, Fiji and the rest of the Pacific will be closely watching Ms Gillard. They hope Ms Gillard’s government will do a little more than her predecessor Kevin Rudd. They hope that come the Port Vila meeting next month, they will hear more positive news in relation to Fiji/Australia relations and particularly the Pacific Islands guest worker scheme which has failed to get off the ground. The hope is Australia under Ms Gillard will put more effort into real developments like this, and less into its fixation with undermining Fiji.

MSG PLUS R.S.V.P.  Fiji has  invited Australia and New Zealand to attend next week’s Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting as dialogue development partners. MSG nations attending are Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji, with New Caledonia’s Kanaks represented by the FLNKS. Non-member nations that have so far accepted are Kiribati, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau. Northern Pacific countries are involved in a pre-Forum meeting but thier officials will attend. Tonga has not yet replied. Samoa has said it won’t be attendng and it looks like Niue and Cook Islands will also say no.

SAMOA OBSERVER EDITOR Savea Sano Malifa  says Bainimarama is taking no notice of what he calls Samoa PM Tuilaepa Sailele’s tricks. The PM made a number of derogatory remarks when refusing Fiji’s invitation to attend the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting but Bainimarama did not rise to the bait. Malifa says Tuilaepa is trying to steal the limelight from Bainimarama.