Chaudhry Breaks PER: So What? Rika a Goner, Talkback=Dialogue? Rural Electrification

CHAUDHRY BREAKS PER LAW: SO WHAT? "He was detained with the others, including his driver [sic!], and a local National Farmers' Union executive Sanjeet Maharaj and accused of holding a meeting with a police permit, the Fiji Times reported on its website.They were remanded until Wednesday."

Sometimes authorities should close their eyes to minor breaches of the law, and this was one such time.  Chaudhry's arrest draws attention to PER when it needs to fade away. His arrest provides him with a stage to poke fun at government that will be lapped up by Government detractors, in Fiji and overseas. Chaudhry revels in controversy and confrontation. Even the rabid anti-government blogs, usually critical of Chaudhry because he is FLP and Indo-Fijian, are hailing him as a hero. His arrest and impending court case will confirm in the minds of the politically important "middle Fiji" just how far the country is from dialogue, and again raise questions about government's "true" agenda. Support for government among Indo-Fijians, FLP supporters and unionists will lessen.

And to what purpose?  Chaudhry ignored is harmless. It would have been far better to let the sleeping dog lie. No military person could have been involved in this action: the choice of battle field was so obviously not to their advantage.

RIKA A GONER. To no one's surprise, Netani Rika is no longer the editor-in-chief at the Fiji Times. The announcement of his resignation which he described as "something of a sacrifice" for the good of the company, was made by new publisher Dallas Swinstead yesterday. Sunday Times, Nai Lalakai and Shanti Dut editor Fred Wesley has been appointed acting editor-in-chief of all the Motibhai papers.

There's no question that Rika had to go. As Editor, his newpaper's open, unfettered  and sometimes personal, confrontation with Government and one-sided reporting from 2000 until April 2009 must have been a factor in Government's general media crackdown. The Fiji Times led the media assault against Government and was accordingly more heavily censored than other media.  More balanced reporting might have produced a better outcome for all concerned.

People will be divided on his resignation/dismissal.  Some see him as a courageous torchbearer of democratic and media principles; others are less kind. I think had he played his cards more wisely (or responsibly, depending on your position), much that has happened to the Fiji media since April last year -- PER, censorship, the 10% limit on foreign media ownership, even the Media Decree --  may have been less restrictive. From any perspective, he has left his mark. I wish him well in his likely new home Australia.
Rupert Murdoch owes him one. Or does he?

DOES TALKBACK RADIO EQUAL DIALOGUE? Given the level of censorship that overseas media say exists in Fiji, I'm surprised the Fiji Broadcasting Commission had a live talkback show where listeners expressed divided opinions on government’s proposal to share lease money equally among the people and not give a bigger share to chiefs which is the present practice. Some callers thought that chiefs should not be viewed the same as the people as they inherit and are given more responsibilities, and sharing lease money equally would downgrade chiefly titles. Others welcomed the Government proposal and said it was a long time coming, as many chiefs were not performing or serving their people well. PM  Office Permanent Secretary Pio Tikoduadua told callers government welcomed their views on the issue.

RURAL ELECTRIFICATION: PART OF THE ROADMAP. Four villages on the inland border of Navosa and Ba provinces (Nawaqadamu, Uto, Vunamoli and Vagadra) now have electricity.  Village Project co-ordinator Osea Naiqamu said, “We approached the previous government in the late 90’s and our prayers just got answered almost 10 years later.’ The project  cost $1.3m and the villagers paid for the wiring of their individual homes. Rural electrification is part of the Government's infrastructure activities aimed at encouraging commercial activity, improving rural school performances, living standards
and comforts, and encouraging  many of those who have left to return to their villages  to bring the abundant land available into commercial production. -- Based on2010 No:1588/MOI.

Premature Statement on Electoral Reform, Chiefs are Not the People, Squatters Praise Government, Mission Abuses of Office

A VOTE BEFORE TIME. I'm not sure on whose authority Strategic Framework for Change Coordinator Lote Raboila has announced that voting will not be compulsory for the 2014 elections. He says people will be given the choice whether to vote or not to vote according to Pillar One of the People's Charter. Pillar One makes no specific reference to compulsory or voluntary voting. But, more importantly, I wonder what this has to do with the SFC Office?

Isn't it up to the people who will be involved in the electoral reform process to make recommendations on all matters of electoral reform?  Government may give "advance notice" of what it would like, but their views should not be stated as facts before the event.

ALL PROVINCES NOW SUPPORT CHARTER. The Permanent Secretary PM's Office Col. Pio Tikoduadua, reports that Government now has the support of the 14 provinces in the country. He says even though some chiefs have yet to show their support, they have received assurances and encouragement throughout the 14 provinces. Great. But ...

But the chiefs and provincial council are not the people, though they invariably speak for them, and neither do they represent the non-ethnic Fijian population that don't quite fit into the provincial system. I understand the Rotuma districts have already expressed support for the Charter.

Does anyone know what Government envisages for the future of the separate and parallel system of ethnic Fijian administration, organized through tikina, provinces and divisions, come 2014?  And whether this will be open to discussion as per Pillar One of the Charter before then?  My understanding is that the roles of all ethnic Fijian institutions were to be reviewed.  This would include: the Great Council of Chiefs, the Native Land Trust Board, the Fijian Affairs Board, the Ministry of Fijian Affairs and Provincial Development, the Business Development initiatives such as Yasana Holdings and the Vanua Development Corporation and, of course, the Provincial Councils.  Some have already been reviewed but an overview of what has been done, and what remains to be done, and by whom, would be most useful.

Any volunteer to write about this, or provide the necessary information so that someone else can write it up?

SQUATTERS PRAISE GOVERNMENT. Semiti Qalowasa, Director of the People's Concerned Network, a grassroots NGO which aims to provide squatters with a legal piece of land and better housing, says the current government is the only government that truly cares about the plight of the less fortunate.

He was speaking at the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Lagilagi Housing Pilot Project at the Jittu Squatter Settlement that will see 162 families rehoused.  For years, he said, they have struggled to have the voices of squatters heard but past governments were full of false promises. The Lagilagi Housing Project will see the construction of three double-storey complexes with two bedrooms, with a single storey one bedroom complex  put aside for the elderly and those receiving Assistance from the Social Welfare Ministry.

The Project comprises a partnership between the 162 families and the PCN, whereby the families pay half the cost of the construction of their home, with the other half funded by the German Catholic funding group Misereor, and the Fiji Government. The land on which the houses will be built will be owned communally.

PUBLIC FUNDS ARE NOT PRIVATE  FUNDS. Major fiscal discrepancies in some of Fiji's foreign missions still need addressing, and the heads of the missions need to be held accountable.  Take,  for example, the mission in PNG where $62,761 of public funds were used to pay the HighCom's son's fees for Saint Joseph's Nudgee College in Brisbane. The HighCom paid back $12,000 but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ceased all the recoveries without any explanation when he was recalled in March 2009. Or the personal phone calls and other extravagant expenditure totalling $11,929 at the Tokyo mission.

These and other discrepancies came to light following the proper assessment of the Auditor General's Report for 2007 by the Public Accounts Committee. PSC Permanent Secretary, Parmesh Chand is seeking explanations before decided what further action should be taken.

Sad When Domestic Violence Turns Political, Tovata Support But Where's the Work on Ethnic Interaction?

WHEN EVEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TURNS POLITICAL.  In what seemed to be a stand-off slinging  match, the Fiji Womens' Crisis Centre Shamima Ali claimed the Domestic Violence Decree promulgated last December was not in force and is not being implemented. Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khiayum disagreed, saying the decree is in force and is being implemented and Ali is misinforming the public.

To which Shamima replied: "You should check with the courts before slandering us. I never lie about these things. Why don't you talk to me? You all should get your facts right, right hand should know what left is doing ... the Womens' Crisis Centre has more integrity than most. We will never let our women down for our personal gains."

To which Aiyaz responded  that Shamima's information was incorrect. The Decree is very much in operation.  For example, the number of restraining orders that have been issued at all levels. "But if the FWCC believes the Police are not doing their job, they should inform them and or the Ministry of Women, and take a collaborative approach rather than making pronouncements through the media in the first place."

To which Shamima said they are not able to protect their clients as the courts and the police are not implementing the Domestic Violence Decree and are not aware of it.

To which Aiyaz replied: There has been extensive training conducted with various stakeholders which included lawyers, prosecutors, police, members of the judiciary, government officials and NGOs to ensure its successful implementation to protect women and children against domestic violence.

And that is how two highly educated people resolve or attempt to use (depending on your standpoint) even straightforward black and white issues in Fiji today. One must wonder  just how much of the dispute was political. The Decree either is, or it isn't, or isn't (being implemented) all the time.  It shouldn't take a slinging match to find out.  What hope is there for "genuine" dialogue on other important issues?

VANUA LEVU AND LAU SUPPORT GOVERNMENT. The Tovata Confederacy that comprisesthe provinces of Cakaudrove, Bua and Macuata in Vanua Levu, and the islands of the Lau Province to the east and south, have expressed support for Government putting development work before elections as its number one priority. The current government says it has put a focus on rural development and on effective service delivery to people in rural areas.

[Ed.note: I cannot understand why Government continues to present these issues as alternatives, with development having to come before work on elections can even start. Nor am I persuaded that physical and infrastructural development is any more pressing than work on social development, most especially with regard to initiatives aimed at helping inter-ethnic understanding. What work is going on in schools, the public service, the military, the churches and other religious institutions, and among the general public, to develop basic languages skills in Fiji Baat, Hindi and Fijian, and help improved understanding of Fiji's many cultures and cultural values?   Unless these at least start to change before 2014, what value is the elections?]

NEW FEATURE.   In response to the request of a reader, we have included a

Countdown to Elections 2014 feature at the top of the right sidebar.

Prime Minister, Please Help Us to Believe You

Steps to the 2014 Elections: Suggestions from a Reader

  
A reader,  Side Lines in Viti Levu, is worried about 2014  and thinks Government is not receiving sufficient feedback with the Public Emergency Regulations  in place. PER makes Government less aware of public concerns.  He is not anti-government, though he's unhappy about some things done and not done.  He's prepared to support Government if it is genuine about elections in 2014.   The PM says he's open to pro-Fiji suggestions. This overseas-based vulagi thinks balanced pro-Fiji comments like this need to be heard by the PM and those close to him:

The only thing we have that separates [PM Bainimarama] from other dictators is a promise he will have elections in 2014. I do hope he keeps that promise and that he holds everyone around him accountable to that goal. There are many things I don’t like about this military regime. They have made many mistakes and broken many promises but no progress is ever made without compromise. I can forget and even forgive the mistakes and sins of the last four years.

Now what about that promise of an election in 2014 ?

I personally need a lot more than that promise. I hope that the PM is genuine in this promise. If he is genuine I think it would be easy to demonstrate that to the many doubters like me. He also needs to convince the rest of the world. Here are some simple things he could do fairly quickly. (with my last posted ideas now in the dustbin I will keep it to only three this time).

1. This week - Publish a public confirmation that elections will be held in 2104.  A letter to the people of Fiji published in all the papers would be a great start. This letter should be signed by the PM, his government ministers and most importantly all of the Military council.

2. With in two months - Publish an actual Roadmap to democracy and then report quarterly on the progress made to that Roadmap. Have the road map progress audited by an external overseas agency. I don’t want to hear another speech. I want to see an actual plan on the steps, dates and times to take Fiji to free and fair elections. Sure, public service and government enterprise reform is important but I want to see the Roadmap that covers the detail on the move to democracy. At the moment people can see some economic and structural reform in Fiji but no evidence of any progress to democracy.

3. Before Christmas 2010 – Have the framework in place for a genuine political dialogue forum. This should include the appointment of a reputable chair and invite list with no pre-conditions on attendance. A key task might be agreeing on the new constitution.

At the same time as taking these steps I would like to see the PM being more involved in the running of his portfolio. I recently heard him speak in the north and it was very clear he was none the wiser on how the sugar industry worked than when he took power 4 years ago. Back then it was understandable (life spent as military man) but now as sugar minister he has to emerge himself into the detail and get on with the task of fixing it.

I also think the PM and his cabinet are getting too comfortable. The PER is creating a very sheltered world for government. They don’t need to work hard to have the answers. They don’t need to understand the detail so they can debate big issues. The PER makes them believe there own BS. They are becoming extremely sensitive to overseas critics simply because they now never hear any at home. The PER removes a critical ingredient in anyone’s success – FEEDBACK.

I worry that….
If this government can carry out structural and economic reforms and the economy turns around (this is a big if) then the PM will claim that his coup has been validated, his style of running Fiji works and that elections are not necessary. We should keep moving forward with him.
OR
If the economy has not turned around and structural reform is not completed then the PM will defer the election under the claims Australia and New Zealand have stopped progress so he needs more time.

Prime Minister, Please help us believe you.

Editor's Note . The original comment is slightly abridged. For original, see comments to Forum Mistake post.  Sidelines is actually not asking for anything very different from what Government is doing or says it will be doing.  He asks for a unequivocal  public statement from all concerned that elections will be held in 2014, come hail, snow or tsunami.  It would be a positive move to repeat this assurance since some people, including investors and overseas governments,  are still doubtful.  
    And he asks for an overlap between the current physical and social infrastructure Roadmap and the intended dialogue on the later constitutional and electoral reforms. He asks that these processes be started, and that I think is a reasonable request. Government clearly has reservations about how inclusive the dialogue and the elections should be.  I think it would win support by declaring its reservations and the reasons for them.

WEEKEND READING. Allen Lockington's column, Timor Leste and China: Warning for Australia, From Paramountcy to Equality: Yabaki, Citizenship Education in (UK) Schools.

Comment Quality, Dorsami Naidu, Rural Electrification, Poverty, Land Safe; Forget Elections

CRITICAL BUT HELPFUL. Thank goodness. The quality of comments to postings has improved  with critical but helpful and forward-looking comments once again outnumbering the  totally negative and unhelpful. Thinking... Not Sleeping again leads the pack with the observation that those commenting on "progress" or the lack of it are talking past each other because they are talking about different things. Top Five Top Spin Items also makes what I think is a valid criticism of Government, and comes up with what they could say.

Both these readers are, I think, basically supportive of what Government says it intends to do.  They are just not very impressed with some of the ways they're going about it. The saddest and most disturbing feature of the present political scene is that Government has given very little indication that it welcomes the opinions of people who, with only a little encouragement,  could be its friends.


DORSAMI IRONY. Fiji Law Society president, former MP and anti-government critic Dorsami Naidu  has been fined $1,500 and $1,428 costs by the country’s Independent Legal Services Commission for professional misconduct and unsatisfactory professional conduct. The irony is that he has also been ordered to undertake ten hours of study in conveyancing, real property and practice management with the syllabus to be approved by the Chief Registrar. This ruling was due his being found guilty of overcharging in billing an estate failing to inform a buyer that the land he was purchasing was co-owned. Justice Connors said Naidu’s conduct calls for a “small monetary penalty rather than a public reprimand in the light of the position he holds within the legal profession ...[his]  conduct is in many respects concerning and whilst it does not display dishonesty it shows a lack of appreciation of practice management principles and the obligations of legal practitioners under the Trust  Account requirements.There is also displayed a disturbing lack of understanding of conveyancing and real property principles."

VILLAGE ILLUMINATION. Two remote Naitasiri villages with 182 families  switched on their lights for the first time last night. Taking electricity to the villages cost $145,000 and is part of the Roadmap.

HEALTH RECOVERY. Some health charges will increase soon to help recover costs and improve health services. Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma said " We also need to upgrade, so all of these issues need to be factored in. The fact is that nothing comes free in this world. We have to be able to provide quality services at all costs.” Increases have been made to the Medical Certificate and Report fees, dental fees, X-Ray fees, and laboratory charges.

POVERTY ALLEVIATiON.The Poverty Alleviation Ministry is waiting for submissions from minority groups to finalise the definition of poverty in Fiji’s context. Poverty Eradication Unit head Tokasa Leweni says the minority groups were not well represented during the consultation in the central, west and the northern division.Leweni says they anticipate finalizing the paper for Cabinet approval next month.

LAND SAVED. Speaking to the Lau Provincial Council yesterday, the PM assured the i-Taukei community that no one is going to take their land away from them. The new Land Use Decree is intended to make more land available for productive and social purposes. Landowners will benefit as more land would be utilised. "Government is also mindful of improving its service to maritime islands," he added.

Earlier,  Commissioner Eastern, LtCol Ifereimi Vasu urged Lauans to help find answers to the ongoing out-migration that could see the islands' population decimated.He acknowledged that out-migration cannot be stopped but can be minimised, even though the driving force for the movement seems to be the quest for higher education. The challenge, he said, is to convince those in the villages to remain there and use the abundant natural resources to lift their standards of living. Funds allocated for development in Lau would depend entirely on population and demand.

Forget elections, Bainimarama told

http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=30094 Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Taken from / By: FBC News

The people of Lau have told the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to forget elections and concentrate more on development.

The province indicated their support to Bainimarama and urged him to continue developments for the country as they have witnessed the work and promises fulfilled by the Government for the people.

FBC News reporter Sekope Toduadua filed this report during the Provincial Council meeting which started yesterday.

"Lets forget about elections and lets focus on more and more development.

Those are the words of encouragement and support from the people of Lau province to Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama as he officially opened the two day Lau Provincial council meeting yesterday.

Speaking on behalf on the people of Lau, the Turaga Tui Ono Waisea Davuiqalita from Onoi-lau Island says they feel their cries have been heard.

He says the people of Lau are satisfied that Fiji is back on track and they have witnessed the development and what government is doing right now.

Davuiqalita says promises by government have been fulfilled and projects which were in the pipeline for 4 years have been completed.

He says now – the people of Lau look forward to and support government’s corporate plan to move the country forward to 2014 - according to the Strategic Framework for Change.”

The Lau Provincial Council meeting is being held at the Arts Village in Deuba and ends today.


Prime Minister,  You should immediately quash this report.  If you don't, it will be distorted  like the Lomaiviti comment.   You should use the opportunity to reaffirm your decision to hold elections no later than September 2014.


And News Reporter Sekope Toduadua, you should be more precise. Who exactly said "forget about elections"? One person, several, the people of Lau, or just those attending the Provincial Council meeting?  Or is this merely what you read into the Council's support for Government's development activities? Your report makes the Prime Minister a sitting target for the overseas media and those who say he does not want elections in 2014.

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.

Questions for Government, and Other Stories

Testing the Water

'On the Sideline in Viti Levu' writes: "Croz, You are always asking for helpful suggestions and often giving advice on what NZ or Australia must do. Here are a few things I think Fiji Government should do:

1. Decide if they want to be friends with Australia and NZ or not. If yes, then stop the wild outbursts and work on a plan to re-engage.
2. Be flexible - even bringing the election forward say 6 months would be signal that they are prepared to negotiate. Why the hard line on this one ?
3. Deal with some of the respective poor decisions made after the coup that continue to dog them. For example, remove Mr Kean from Navy command. You have to live what you preach. maybe hand back the back pay - no one believes the PM never took a day of leave in all his career. On Kean surely he must be replaceable? There are plenty of other examples, e.g., the soldiers released early. Also stop the army taking people to the barracks and put a professional police person in charge of the police.
4. On the media decree,  give the Fiji Times  12 months to sell or scrap that component altogether.
5. Start the dialogue forum TODAY. Get a draft new voting system out soon. It's not surprising that people are becoming suspicious about 2014 when nothing is being done to work towards it. The claims of 'we are concentrating on the economy' are rubbish. Government has to be able to do both. Fifty Decrees have been pumped out so clearly they do have some resources for doing this stuff.
6. Lift the public emergency NOW. Govt promised they would. There is a lot of self-regulation happening anyway and that will continue.
7. Learn to live with critics. It's part of being Government. Don't react to everything. Accept some criticism - change things accordingly and for other criticism just ignore it.

Some of these are big asks but this government has a huge credibility problem internationally and has to get on the front foot.

Regards,

On the Side Line in Viti Levu. What do YOU think about these ideas? 

Record your opinions and answer the polls in our companion blog Na Sala Cava by clicking on the orange 'directions' icon in the right sidebar.

DON'T  COMMENT ON THESE QUESTIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POSTING . Record your comments more permanently on Na Sala Cava, and wbile you are there, check out the earlier questions.


LEST WE FORGET.   A readers suggest (see comment on Wednesday's posting) that Government build a memorial in Suva for Fiji soldiers who have been killed fighting other people's wars."Surely this is something we could raise money for not just in Fiji, but from the British and Americans and those other countries for which these guys have given their lives?"  What do other readers think?

TUILAEPA SAYS NO. Not unexpectedly, the Samoa Prime Minister has rejected the invitation to attend this month’s Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting in Suva. He said "he rejected the invitation as it’s from someone who overthrew a democratic, elected government using guns  ... only Pacific Islands Forum leaders can discuss the situation in Fiji." I'm not sure what he means by this. That MSG countries are not Forum members, or that Fiji has no right to discuss the Fiji situation?

STOP INTERFERING. Prime Minister Bainimarama has called on the Australian Government to refrain from interfering with the internal affairs of this country, following a reported comment made by an unnamed Australian Foreign Affairs Official in the News Limited-owned Newspaper The Australian. The official was quoted as saying, “The people may have no choice but to stand up to him (Bainimarama) and his thugs”.

The PM said this is inciting the people of Fiji to rise against my Government, and promoting further unrest. He said "calling Government Ministers 'thugs', is derogatory, mischievous, and portrays the condescending attitude of the Australian Government.On the one hand they say they are concerned about the welfare of the people of Fiji, whilst on the other they are inciting and promoting unrest in Fiji, the Prime Minister stated.

FOREIGN MEDIA REPORTS 'DECEIPT AND LIES'. Attorney-General Aiyaz Syed-Khaiyum has also attacked the foreign media. He says it is now clear that the foreign media are breaking basic rules of journalism to get back at the Fiji government.

“All these things are reported as if they have happened but they have not, in fact they are inaccurate, they are dishonest. It would now appear that we have a situation that the media in Australia and New Zealand have decided that they will wage a campaign against Fiji and that campaign is based on deceit and lies so even though they talk about freedom of expression, of getting the right information across, the fact is they are the first ones to break those principles and values.”

Sayed-Khaiyum also lashed out at New Zealand reporter Michael Field who he accuses of constantly writing misleading reports about the situation in Fiji. He questioned Field’s so-called expertise of the Pacific.

ALLEN LOCKINGTON  ASKS "Can government invite staff of the newspaper, The Australian, to come over to Fiji and see for themselves what is going on? Invite them for a week for a all expenses paid holiday and suggest that they visit the people in Waiyavi [where Allen lives] to live for one week. To mingle with us and then go back and make a report. It may just change their mind." [Unfortunately, Allen, few of the staff have anything to do with policy and the staff who do, know that "He who pays the piper calls the tune."]

NEW FIJI LIVE POLL. Will the government's land reform initiative boost Fiji's sugar industry? Yes 100%. No 0%

(o+) How to Kickstart the Economy: Government Needs to Set in Motion, and Sell, a Credible Process

Several people responded to Rajendra Prasad's account of his Fiji trip. One, signing himself Tears of Tedium, thought Rajendra's reflections  a "once-over-lightly approach to the Fiji economy."

"Talk to anyone in the business community," he said, " and they'll tell you new investment is zero. That, coupled with the dismal outlook for sugar, continuing EU sanctions, cyclone fallout, etc. ought to be ringing loud alarm bells. Cheap airfares aren't going to save the country either, only destroy Air Pacific as a viable carrier." 

I replied: "I'd be pleased to hear ... what advice you'd give to local and overseas protagonists ... what, realistically, do you advise to 'take Fiji forward'?"

He did not comment on the role of overseas protagonists, and thinks Government is the only local protagonist (I think him wrong but we may define protagonists differently. Stakeholders would have been a better word) but this is how he responded on what Government can do.

In my opinion, it is wise, informed advice given by someone who knows business; basically agrees with what Government says it is trying to do, but who thinks they could be making a far better job of it. And I agree.  Here is what he said:

Well, Croz, my advice to the local protagonists (and what other protagonist is there, realistically, apart from the regime?) is to move a lot quicker on two vital fronts. Because until it does, international confidence in Fiji will continue to be adversely affected.

The first is to begin the process of electoral reform that will demonstrate, in a practical sense, that Fiji really is committed to holding elections in 2014. Had this process already started, perhaps the EU might have reinstated its aid. We were told there'd be a national forum in January to map the way forward for a return to democracy. What's happened? As far as I can see, nothing. Can't find a chairman? Try harder.

The second is to address the chronic lack of discipline, strategic planning and, especially, lack of basic communication, that characterises the regime. It's simply not doing enough to get a positive message across to the international community. Whether or not it's governing effectively isn't enough. It needs to be seen to be governing effectively and working towards the restoration of democracy. As far as I can see, there's no concerted effort to address this woeful shortcoming, even with the regional media.

Let's take, as an example, the regime's treatment of the Methodist Church. It wonders why the rest of the world sees this simply as a case of religious persecution. But it doesn't do a jot to explain the stand-off more fully and present the evidence we all know is there of the church's pernicious influence in national life.

Even your own correspondents have demonstrated contempt for the notion of an effective PR campaign to explain the regime's case. But then have the gall to constantly complain about the failings of the regional media when they (inevitably) embrace the message of the regime's vociferous and smarter opponents. The evidence is undeniable. Be willing to join the battle or be prepared for defeat, as a matter of course, in the court of public opinion.

Bainimarama and the Military Council seem to think that it's enough to be demonstrating to the country that government is being conducted more transparently and effectively. We know that compared to the last government, that is pretty much the case. But what the international community sees is a military dictatorship with no mandate other than the gun whacking its opponents around the head while promising to relinquish the reins of power in four year's time. Promises, promises.

Set in motion a transparent and credible process to deliver on those promises and you've gone some way to meeting the concerns of your critics. Then go out and sell that process vigorously (by opening up the country to selected media, among other things) and you've got some hope of regenerating investor confidence. Do nothing and the country continues to stagnate. Don't take my word for it. Talk to senior members of the business community in Fiji. The overwhelming sentiment is: "there's nothing happening" and "these guys have no idea".

And that's a disaster for Fiji.

Media Talks, National Dialogue, EU Sanctions, Methodists, Corruption ....

 Short Briefs

Government has moderated its position on the Media Decree talks due to start on April 7th next week.   Contrary to the earlier announcement that the Fiji Times and FijiTV would not be included, the consultation will be open to all media

stakeholders.

This is a significant move  that will be welcomed by all who have urged government to be more flexible, more inclusive and more consulative on a number of issues. It is also good PR.  Consultations on the Media Promulgation Decree will be held in Suva on Wednesday, Labasa on Thursday and Lautoka on Saturday. It is expected the the emergency regulations (PER) will be lifted once the Decree is in place.

Photo credit: www.nunodassilva.blogspot.com

National Dialogue Forum. Citizens Constitutional Forum CEO Rev.Akuila Yabaki is one of many people waiting for government to announce a new date for the convening of the National Dailogue Forum delayed from last month due to Hurricane Tomas. “We are unaware of the reasons for the delay but can only hope the process will start as soon as possible because I think many people in Fiji and across the world increasingly agree that this is the one way forward,” he  said.

It is possible another cause of delay could be the search of an independent chairperson. The Forum has been described as a preparatory step towards a consultative constitutional forum in 2012, two years out from the elections.

EU extends sanctions. Citing the constitution, human rights and postponed elections, the 27-nation body announced a further six month extention of trade and aid sanctions against Fiji. This means withholding development aid worth about 30 million euros ($44 million) and subsidy payments to sugar farmers amounting to 115 million euros ($169).

Hurting thousands of ordinary Fijians. One can perhaps justify withholding aid money that goes directly to government, but withholding payments to farmers can only hurt them, and the thousands of people of all races employed or paid "downstream" from the sugar industry.  Solivakasama, one of the more outrageous anti-government blogs, however, welcomed the decision and said "Fiji needs more sanctions to bring the IG to its grubby knees."

Media continue to lie by omission: Rinakama again. Radio NZI reports that Peceli Rinakama is to appear in court today (Wednesday) charged with breaking the PER emergency regulations.  The report omitted two important pieces of information: as he was leaving the Court those charged with the Assassination Plot were found guilty, he shouted at soldiers saying the verdict was a sham, and was later arrested, in the company of several SDL figures, at the home of the convicted high chief. In other words, he had broken the regulations. Such one-eyed reporting further blemishes Radio NZI's already scarred reputation.

Church has failed the country. PM Bainimarama has told Methodist Church leaders that work of reconciliation, fighting poverty and removing racism from Fiji has been taken up by the government, as the church has failed in doing this work as iot concentrated more on politics. In urging the the church to "get back on track" he repeated that some within their ranks, together with a number of chiefs were acting as if they were God – expecting to be served by the people."

Nawadra asks for proof. Methodist Church Assistant General Secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra has called on the government to provide proof of their current involvement in politics, saying government was talking about the past. " There are so many allegations," he said. "We have been asking them to show us the proof that we are involved in that. If they are bringing old issues from a few years ago, that has passed.” [If the "old issues" have past, one must ask why the Church has not publically renounced them, and why those who caused them remain church leaders?]

Permanent Secretary contracts have been renewed for varying times. In  announcing the renewals PSC chairman Josefa Serulagilagi highlighted the importance of effective and visionary leadership.

Larceny 20 months jail. Former Revenue collector Inosi Tuberi has been sentenced to 20 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny by servant. He altered the figures on a cheque and took over $1,200 for personal use.

Worms in the hardware. The Commerce Commission is investigating alleged unscrupulous practices by manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of the hardware sector'. Trade and Commerce Minister Sayed-Khaiyum said, “We have two or three major suppliers of hardware in Fiji and there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest there is anti-competitive behaviour."

Who's Who in Government? This link provides photo of Government ministers and their portfolio responsibilities. They number eleven compared with about 30 Qarase ministers.

Government will support PAFCO. Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayeed-Khaiyum says government will support the ailing PAFCO fishing processing industry based in Levuka on the island of Ovalau. PAFCO employs about 1,000 workers. Women outnumber men five to one; almost all workers are ethnic Fijians, and man commute from villages all round Ovalau and the neighbouring island of Moturiki.

Vulgar announcers. Education Minister Filipe Bole has denounced radio announcers who use colloquial, low-grade expressions and vulgar and offensive terms on air citing with concern the way these terms had been picked up by school children and used in writing and conversation at school.  The Minister reminded announcers of the critical role they play in shaping attitudes and values and promised that action will be taken. "The whole nation cannot continue to stomach such filth from narrow-minded and egocentric individuals who would like to engage our children in nothing but absolute garbage."

Georgia and Fiji have signed a joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic and consular relations.

Partial privatisation. Cabinet has approved the partial privatisation of the Fiji Electricity Authority and the divestment of the Government Printer.

Hurricane damage costs are now estimated at $63 million, and are expected to rise further.

(o) Brief Shorts Tues 23.2.10

New Feature. Letters to the Editor.  Scroll down.
Support the Readership Drive. See left column.

My posting exposing Sailesi Daunitutu's "600,000 petition" has been taken up by at least one NZ blogger with close government ties, and RadioNZ, perhaps coincidentally, is now referring to two "letters" and not a "petition" signed by more than the total adult Fiji population, but it has not publically apologized or withdrawn its earlier releases. PM Bainimarama has called the petition "toilet paper".

PERS and Dialogue

(+) National Dialogue Forum.The chairmanship and membership of the government's proposed National Dialogue Forum is still to be finalised. The forum, initially scheduled to hold its first meeting this month, is expected to lay the groundwork for a constitutional forum in September 2012.  Link.

(o-) PERS, the Public Emergency Regulations, have again been extended for 30 days, to March 2. The late promulgation of the regulations (22 Feb.) actually results in a nine day extension.   Earlier, Government had given its assurance that PERS would be lifted once the new Media Decree is in place. This would mean the lifting of present restrictions on rights of assembly and free speech deemed acceptable while ensuring "acceptable" standards by the media. I fail to understand why government is taking so long to publish the Media Decree and explain its implications. It seems strange to moot a National Dialogue while preventing the very sort of open discussion that dialogue presumes.

As argued many times, government has far more to lose by curtailing informal dialogues (presently prohibited by PERS) as the much needed broad public platform for the more formal National Dialogue than it does by lifting PERS -- unless, as also previously stated, there is a real security risk.

But if this is the case, it is surely possibly to continue the ban on large public assemblies while permitting people to talk politics over coffee or a bilo of yaqona. Blanket bans win few friends, as NZ's blanket travel bans have shown, while most people would accept the need for more finely tuned assembly and travel bans.  Link.

Fiji-NZ Links 

Fiji Sun editoral on Fiji-New Zealand links. Link NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully has agreed "in principle" to informally meet PM Bainimarama at next month's Hong Kong Sevens but for some unfathomed reason PM Key thinks that both of them going to Hong Kong is a "spooky coincidence." Perhaps they both enjoy Sevens football. But if Key  is right, my bet would be on Bainimarama beating McCully to the stadium.

Reserve Bank governor Sada  Reddy and the NZ travel bans. Link.  

Today's speech to the House on Fiji by Minister McCully that clarifies some issues.  Link.

(+) Roadmap

Micro-finance: part of the Roadmap to reduce poverty. The new 11-member National Financial Inclusion Taskforce chaired by Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) governor Sada Reddy, with members from banks, micro finance organisations and the business community,  wants 150,000 people to have access to banking services by 2014. The body was established to spearhead government’s microfinance campaign.  Link.

Corruption. Ministry of Works and Transport sacks 50 "corrupt" workers.Link.

Shortage of land surveyors.  Link.  The shortage has been given as one reason for delays in land transfers and leases.

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

Typoid outbreak.The Ministry of Health has confirmed 32 typhoid cases, following earlier reports of the disease in Suva's upgraded Jittu Estate squatter settlement and its spread to other parts of the country. Typhoid is a water-borne disease and no threat to people drinking directly from properly regulated reticulated water supplies. That said, I'd be boiling all my drinking water for a while. One wonders whether constant metropolitan water cuts has been a factor in the spread of the disease. Click on "Comments" below to read what an informed reader has to say on the outbreak.

(o) Against Anonymous Comments: Sudarsan Kant

Allow me to revisit a question that you raised a few months ago between liberal democracy and new media, specifically the art and science of blogging. For political practitioners, amateurs, curious onlookers and enthusiasts, blogs and websites have become an ideal cynosure to visit and engage with fellow travelers on important and mundane issues of the day. 

Your site certainly serves as a good model of how new media has enabled the emergence of a cyber community focused on the events unfolding in Fiji as well as its relationship with Australia, New Zealand and the rest of Oceania. The diversity of news and commentary is refreshing and thoughtful for many of us who spend a lot of time analyzing and exploring issues pertaining to governance, institutions and public policy in Oceania.

While creating a community engaged in political discourse is a substantive achievement in a fickle age, the continued use of anonymous comments undermines essential prerequisites for communal dialogue, which are transparency, sincerity and civility. Central to the democratic project is our capacity for dialogue as a means to negotiate, compromise, explain and disagree on the proper ordering of society, politics is ultimately a conversation of mankind, to borrow Michael Oakeshott’s lovely phrase. How difficult it is to have a conversation over substantive matters with people behind hidden doors and faces unencumbered by the virtues that make political discourse purposeful, civilizing and humane.

It is possible that on rare occasions a nom de plume is prudent and even necessary, but I am not convinced that the current situation in Fiji merits that privilege. What are needed among all interlocutors are transparency, courage, wit and humor as we struggle in our own ways to make sense of the world we live in. You have created an excellent forum for a robust exchange of ideas and issues; it would be nice to know whom we are having an exchange with.

[email protected]

Note: I agree with almost everything Sundarsan has said, and I'm delighted with the growing number and quality of (most) comments. They often exceed the value of the post on which they are commenting. Blogs really can serve a truly democratic purpose. 

But I think Sundarsan underestimates the possible consequences, for some readers, of revealing their real  names. Fiji is essentially a "small society" where events are acted out on a small stage. And where the actors know each other, there is always the possibility of retribution.  That said, write anonymously if you must but please do use a pseudonym (pen name).  Genuine discussion does not need a real name but it does require some name.  Croz

Cartoon: www.clipartof.com

(o) The Link Between February's Dialogue Forum, the 2012-13 Constitution Forum and the 2014 Elections

This post is a summary of an exclusive interview by Samisoni Pareti of  Islands Business with the Prime Minister's Office Permanent Secretary, Col. Pio Tikoduadua (photo), in which Tikoduadua spells out the functions of next month's nationwide dialogue forum and its relationship with the constitutional dialogue scheduled for between September 2012 and September 2013, exactly 12 months before the 2014 elections.  Click here for the full article.

Next month's National Dialogue for Fiji’s Future (NDFF) will have an “open” agenda  to be decided by  the NDFF Secretariat and its yet-to-be appointed chair.  People and organisations that participate will meet four basic prerequisites.They be forward looking, have the best interest of Fiji at heart,  hold views consistent with the People’s Charter for change, will not have an outstanding case before the courts, and not  represent a political party that espouses ethnic based politics.

Civic rather than political party participation is desired on the state of the nation and economic and political issues.  "You can’t really separate political issues from the people’s discussions," says Tikoduadua."That is going to come through but as long as they don’t go in and try to further their own political party agendas. It is hoped the  outcome will be previous support for “They can gauge their way from there and go forward. What we would like to see is for the forum to develop further into what could become a consultative body for the new constitution by way of input.” [It will be noted that former PM Qarase, who has a court case pending, and race-based parties, are excluded. It will be interesting to see how race-based parties are defined.]

The Constitution Dialogue Forum consultations during between September 2012-2013  will be  extensive and not limited to political parties.  Issues to be decided include the size of the new parliament, the appropriateness of a bi-cameral system, the length of a government's term of office, and systems of checks and balances. [It is probable that the political parties involved will not include the old race-based parties.]

The new Constitution will be in place by September 2013 at the latest and will be translated into the vernacular languages. Pocket-size editions will be be made widely available so that candidates and all citizens can  familiarize themselves with its provisions.

[It will also be interesting to see how this enhanced sequence of popular consultations is received by Australia, New  Zealand and the international community. India, the most populous Commonwealth country, has already indicated it will help in any ways it can to pave the way for democratic elections.]

Snippets: Microcredit, School Buses, Blogs Blocked, National Dialogue Forum, Civil Service Housing, Driti Attacks Shamima

(+) Banks Required to Assist Microfinance: Part of the Roadmap.The Reserve Bank has issued microfinance guidelines for all commercial banks that require them to establish internal microfinance divisions and units in existing branches.  The banks are expected to "innovatively and effectively" extend sustainable banking services to Fiji’s marginalized, poor communities and individuals, and to small and micro enterprises, that will "empower them to participate in economy building and in the development of their welfare." Source:  Focus Jan.2 2010.

(o-) Blogs Blocked Again. Email from Fiji 4th January. "Looks like the anti-govt blogs have been blocked. I just can't log into any. Been trying for two days now. It's sad because many of them had noble causes when they started. Then things remained relatively calm in Fiji and life carried on and progress was on the way. And they started to stray and became angry and envious and started to be spiteful maybe even jealous because they are being left behind.  Your Blog is OK....No problems so far ... "

(o) Free School Buses. About 71,554 children, whose parents jointly earn less than $15,000 a year,  will qualify for the free school bus fare scheme this year. The scheme will only operate for children within 18km of destinations to encourage parents to send their children to schools close to home. PM Permanent secretary Col.Tikoduadua said the funding is in place and "it's going to cost a fair bit."

The scheme is expected to benefit children attending 490 schools on Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Levuka, Taveuni and Rotuma. Full story. Fr Barr's concern that students living in heavily populated rural areas who have to travel further than 18km  could lose out -- and all his other comments were positive -- produced a typical Fiji Times headline "Some will lose out, says priest." Yet another display of how the media works!

(+) National Dialogue Forum. An encouraging number of new names, from overseas and a wide cross-section of the community, have been put forward to chair February's National Dialogue Forum. Government takes this as an indication that people want to share their views of the way forward in terms of what government has planned to move Fiji forward. The February talks are expected to lay the groundwork for a constitutional forum in September 2012.  Full story.

(-) AUCKLAND (Café Pacific/Pacific Scoop/Pacific Media Watch): Café Pacific has issued its New Year honours, awarding the Newspaper of the Year handle to The Fiji Times. Café Pacific writes: “As a crusading newspaper under the helm of battling Netani Rika, it is hard to go past this Australian-owned publication – the strongest daily newspaper in Fiji in spite of its past political baggage and track record that goes right back to its colonial days in Levuka.” Comment: The underlined words tell all.

(o) Housing for Civil Servants. FMA President Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete hopes "good sense" will prevail in the termination of government rented quarters for doctors in the outer islands. I agree, but surely government does not intent to apply this decision as Dr Waqainabete suggests.

Government's general reasoning for exiting rental quarters for civil servants -- and dropping the retirement age back to 55 --are sound enough. Many "sit" on the accommodation provided when they can afford to purchase their own homes, just as many 55+ people "sat" on their jobs, but the implementation of these decisions must be flexible, not mandatory. Government or subsidized private rental housing must be provided for contracted expatriates and employees on short-term and remote postings. Better pay and working conditions, as mentioned by Min.Health Perm.Sec.Dr Sala Saketa, will help to attract and retain staff but they still need a roof over their heads.

I can't imagine any doctor, nurse or teacher buying or building a house in Tavuki (Kadavu), Matuku or Ono (Lau) or Itutiu (Rotuma) unless they were born there. And I doubt they'd get a housing loan even if they did. Perhaps we should just wait and see. We shouldn't have to. How decrees are to be implemented should be clear from the time of their pronouncement. That they are so often not creates uncertainty and  plays into the hands of Government's opponents.

(-) Diriti Threatens Shamima Ali.  This is Ridiculous. Government passes a decree extending the operating hours for nightclubs and liquor licence outlets. Fiji Women's Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali  criticized the decision in a general radio interview on violence against women and children saying it would result in more alcohol-related social problems. And Land Force Commander, Brig.Gen.Pita Driti  warns Shamima Ali  " "to think very carefully about what she says before making a public statement" -- and a lot more besides. He says the extended hours will discourage bootlegging and rowdy house parties, and lessen binge drinking. How does he know? He doesn't, and neither does Shamima know the decision will increase alcohol-related problems.

But that's besides the point. It is central to Shamima's job, for which she is well qualified and experienced, to comment on these matters and (while her anti-Government position in other respects seems to affect Government's ability to listen to her warning), it certainly should not invoke Driti or anyone else to threaten her in this manner. This is not the first time Driti has made similar threatening remarks. They do his cause no good. Click  here also.

(o) Fiji Consumer Council welcomes next month's merger between the Prices and Incomes Board and the Commerce Commission saying it will benefit consumers.

Snippets: Dialogue Forum, Cyclone Mick,Femlink, Diabetes, Prison Reform, Anonymous Comments, Needy Children, Tourism

There are 12 Comments on this posting. See "Comments" at end..

The National Dialogue Forum on Fiji's future will convene on February 1st and pave the way to the Consultative Constitutional Forum starting in September 2012. Government has urged leaders in the church, vanua, civil groups (but not the old political parties) to participate. Prerequisites for attendance include:

• Interest must focus on Fiji’s future
• Views must not be inconsistent with the principles of the People’s Charter
• Participants must not have any pending criminal charges
• Participants must not represent political organizations based on communal representation.

It is especially important, with the old political parties excluded, that Government appoint as chairperson someone well known to the Fiji general public even if (perhaps especially if) that person does not otherwise support Government.


No good will be served with the appointment of an unknown or a person seen to be a Government stooge.   Full story.


The Disaster Management Committee estimates the financial cost of Cyclone Mick will be about $25 million, much less than the $200 million cost of January's floods.


The NGO Femlink has had its licence to operate its mobile "suitcase" radio station renewed. Radio 89.2FM uses a low powered transmitter that reaches a 10 kilometre radius. 


Diabetes great concern
A Fred Hollows Foundation survey found 40% of adults had diabetes, one of the highest rates in the world. The survey claimed the cost of medication alone will outstrip the present resources of the Fiji health system. Full story.


Readers' Copmments: 
"Prison reform part of Roadmap"
A reader commenting on this post wrote:"This is true. During a working trip to Naboro about 3 months ago, we were taken around the hills at the back of the complex to see a vast commercial enterprise being undertaken by the Prison Services. There were roughly 80,000 dalo plants already planted and they are still clearing more hillside for this big undertaking. We were told that as this commercial enterprise rolls, the Prison Service will be self-reliant and the government will not need to fund their food supply anymore. I also heard that they will then start supplying the major hospitals which seems to drain a lot of funds for the government, and so forth. This is an amazing undertaking and I was very very impressed." Another reader (Lol, Laugh Out Loud) thought we were making it all up (See Comments). It is unfortunate that people like this Doubting Thomas won't change their minds until their hand can feel a hoe wound  in one of the 80,000 dalo. 



... and another reader commenting on the cyclone, suggested a regional disaster relief organization should be a priority for the Pacific Islands Forum.


... and while on Comments, there is no security risk in signing your comment with a pseudonym. Bebe, Beka or Bulumakau included with your comment is just as safe as Anonymous without.


Reader "Wetsie": Thanks for the greeting to "Croz and team." Other people do help occasionally -- mainly in informing me of news releases I could have missed and in providing ideas on what to publish -- but there is no team. I wish there were.  

Pacific Sun's first flight to Vanuabalavu in the Northern Lau Group and new services to Gau and Cicia in the New Year will probably see the airline add pilots and aircraft to its operations. Full story. Photo: Fiji Village.

A Tamara McLean article in the NZ Herald/AAP provides readers with a rehash of what was once news, and "fresh" comments from "an Auckland University academic sympathetic to Bainimarama" (Prof.Hugh Laracy) countered by three "Pacific specialists (Dr Jon Fraenkel, Jone Baledrokadroka and Prof. Brij Lal) at the Australian National University" who are not." The use of "academic" and "specialists" tells readers where Tamara is coming from, but it's neither subtle nor accurate for all four are academics and specialists.

The article makes no mention of any recent happening in Fiji (this blog has been full of them; not even Bainimarama's response to John Key's Radio Tarana interview -- which, incidentally, the NZ Herald did not even bother to report!), and most of what the trio said resonated like echoes from one or another earlier media source. Click here to add "Forty Foot Echo" ringtones to your cellphone.

For the record, former Land Force Commander Baledrokadroka did not "reject the regime." He was send on leave (suspended) by the military prior to the 2006 Coup before resigning and leaving for an ANU scholarship in Canberra. And Tamara's account of Brij Lal's deportation was predictably light on contextual detail.


Most disturbing, though, was  Fraenkel's unscholarly guesswork in interpretating happenings in Fiji. He speculates government reshuffles are "squables behind the scenes"; thinks 90 percent (sic!) of ethnic Fijians oppose Bainimarama; and that Government's policies are contradictory in providing free school buses (a "socialist" policy) and a business-friendly ("right wing) budget. His imposed left wing-right wing framework does not sit well in the Pacific -- and even in New Zealand we've had free buses for country children and business-friendly budgets for as long as I can remember. 


Supporters of The Foundation for the Education of Needy Children in Fiji (FENC), a group of mainly Indo-Fijians in the Brisbane area, have donated  $8,000 to the Foundation, run by Irshad Ali, formerly of Save the Children Fund.


Tourism target $900m earnings
Tourism Fiji chairman Patrick Wong says the industry is targeting $900m. in direct tourism earnings, and 600,000 visitors, in 2010. Earnings in 2008 were $892m. Wong thinks the targets achievable because of improved marketing, a "good geographic mix, targeting markets of UK/Europe, Russia, China and the Gulf region," new airlines and new routings that increase capacity and provide better connectivity opening up new markets and regions with better market penetration... V Australia and Jetstar [also] give better access from non-mainstream ports, like Western and South Australia. Broadening our markets with a geographic will spread the constant flow of visitor arrivals throughout the year, levelling out the trough and low season periods," he added.

Fiji Rugby Union Chairman Bill Gavoka has confirmed that  the Cibi will be performed by all national rugby teams before international test matches, thereby overturning Coach Samu Domoni Junior's decision to drop the Cibi because it is a "throwback to the days of heathen cannibalism and  not indicative of modern Fiji." Domoni  is wrong on both counts.Full story.

Happy 2010 Everyone. 

May the New Year bring Fiji As It Was and Is appreciably closer to 
the Fiji it Can Be.

 Drawing: Kids Art. www.squidoo.com

(o) Japan Says "Keep Engaging with Fiji"

The Fiji Sun reports Japanese leaders will continue to engage with the Bainimarama Government until Fiji is able to restore an acceptable democratic process for the way forward.
Japan's Ambassador to Fiji HE Yutaka Yoshizawa (pictured) said he was regularly in touch with the PM on critical issues of good governance and the democratic process because Japan believed engagement  would comfortably allow Fiji to make a guaranteed transition into what it wants for its people.


He also revealed he was speaking with certain sectors of society that were becoming comfortable with Mr Bainimarama’s plans for Fiji although they were feeling the pinch of a downturn in the economy.

“Small changes make certain differences for Fiji and we are watching with a lot of hope that the Commodore will begin to pave the way forward in his reform process. I believe in the end, he must conduct an early election because it will be good for Fiji,” Mr Yoshizawa said. 

“I have also talked with the Commodore on a very engaging stance, given that Japan is beginning to notice the little differences the Commodore is creating for Fiji and its people. I am beginning to believe that the Commodore has a lot of sincerity in issues close to the heart of the people of Fiji."

The Ambassador also suggested that Mr Bainimarama speed up his reform process by engaging the people of Fiji through a referendum or a Constitutional assessment. “There must be a mechanism in place to sincerely ask for people’s opinion on what they want for the way forward. It could close up the gap of the reform process and allow for confidence in the Commodore’s plans.”

Mr Yoshizawa also expressed his hope that Fiji would participate in open dialogue with its diplomatic partners, particularly Australia and New Zealand. [abridged]

All Strangely Agree on Reform Substance -- Really?

There are comments to this posting. Click 'comments' below.

"The strange thing is I have talked myself to political leaders in Fiji and all of them agree strangely enough on the substance of the reforms which are necessary."

These are the words of Roger Moore, the European Union's Director for Development and Relations with the Pacific, after his recent return from Fiji where he met government and opposition leaders. He was speaking yesterday to NZTV's Paul Holmes.

Comment
It is indeed strange. It is also the first time I've heard the claim. One wonders why, if it is so simple now, the political leaders did nothing to implement the reforms when they were in parliament. Why they have constantly tried to undermine and detract from government's reform efforts. And why they themselves have done nothing to advance reform except to talk in non-specific terms to overseas visitors.