Gutless Corruption, Upgrading Service & Leadership, Outsourcing, Sucking Up to the PM? Super Weather Station

Gutless Wonder

N217. GUTLESS WONDER. In an anonymous letter to the moderate anti-government blog Fiji Today, a businessman says corruption in Suva is twice as bad as it used to be.  He cites having to tip an electrician a $100 to put in a new power board over the weekend and doubted the FEA saw any of the money.  He said "There is no point in reporting it to the police as I am paying one of them to keep an eye on my business in his off time."

Further, he said,  "Any business deal these days has a part that is organised in cash so no VAT or tax is paid or some side deal is done to advantage one party or the other. I have a block of cash sitting at home for such occasions and I consider myself one of the honest ones."  Really!

Honest, no way. He's part of the corruption, and despite the urgings of the new Police Commissioner, the FICAC and others to report corruption — and despite several recent court cases showing that such matters are taken to court — his only effort to reduce corruption is to write an anonymous letter to an anti-government blog.  If he's really concerned about corruption (and one doubts this when he is part it), there were other — and more effective — options. Checking on a FEA worker is hardly likely to see him detained by the military. Not even the anti-government bloggers would think that.


N218. UPGRADING THE SERVICE IN PUBLIC. Some 165 evaluators are to be trained this year to evaluate the service provided by Ministries and Departments. Public Service Permsec Parmesh Chand said all government agencies need to embrace a culture of quality in our bid to bring about improvements in efficiency and productivity as part of the reforms. This year, 33 Ministries, Departments and Agencies will participates in the Service Excellence programme, the Service Excellence initiative started in 2005. Pillar 4 of the People's Charter calls for an improved public service. -- Based on No:0572/PSC

N219. LEADERSHIP TRAINING. Permanent Secretaries are currently attending a five day Leadership Training workshop to assist leaders to develop organisations that can effectively recognize, relate and assimilate the global shifts in culture, social structures, technology and information.

Chief Guest and PSC Commissioner, Ms Fusi Vave, said today’s Public Service is very different from what it was 10 years ago. It is more sophisticated, organized and transnational in nature and there are new challenges posed by the on-going advances in technology. Pillar 3 of the Peeple's Charter calls for improvements in leadership.  I make this point because a number of anti-government bloggers have asked to see the Roadmap. For those prepared to look,  ongoing events such as the workshop, the upgrading of the public service, the smokeless stoves, poultry training and dalo production, reported in this posting, are all small but essential steps in the Roadmap, and all can be traced to one of another pillar of the Charter. Based on No:0561/PSC.

N220. OUTSOURCING TO REDUCE COSTS. Another example of public service reforms aimed at increasing efficiency is the intended outsourcing of selected services to the private and non-state sector. PermSec Parmesh Chand said the move "will help contain the size of the civil service and its operating costs; improve efficiencies in service delivery in terms of timing and responsiveness; enable greater employee participation and private sector led growth; and to provide efficient and value for money services to the tax payer."

A Central Coordinating and Administrative Committee on Outsourcing (CCACO) has been formed to oversee the all  aspects of the policy and a thorough cost-benefit analysis will be conducted done before any project is outsourced. Outsourcing may be recommended in two types of contract: infrastructural/works and services. Committee members include the PermSec for Public Enterprise,Public Service, Works, Labour, Finance, and Trade and Industry. The Committee will report to the Prime Minister through the Permanent Secretary for Public Enterprises. -- Based on No.0600/PSC.

N221. YES SIR, YES SIR, THREE BAGS FULL. These words from the English nursery rhythm Ba, Ba, Black Sheep are usually taken to describe the behaviour of an obsequious or craven subordinate. One of my sources says this could be happening with some of the new municipal authorities that are so keen to prove to the PM they are more efficient than the old elected councils that their short-term cost cutting measures will result in much higher cost later if basic repairs and maintenance are not carried out.  I'd be pleased to hear from readers who may have evidence of heedless cost-cutting.

N222. THE NEW $3m WEATHER STATION AT LABASA has state-of-the-art S-Band weather radar that is is capable of weather surveillance up to 480km which covers the area north to Rotuma and Futuna. Project management by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology will cost $180,000. The project is expected to make Fiji less vulnerable to climatic disasters and in this way safeguard lives and the economy.-- Based on No:0599/MOI.

People's Charter Pillar 1: For Discussion

My thanks to the reader who suggested a regular weekly posting on each of the eleven pillars of the People's Charter that will enable all readers to consider each pillar carefully, offer their opinions and comment on what has been done —and what yet needs to be done—to implement them. Here in the first week is Pillar 1. Please use the opportunity to comment and exchange opinions with other readers. Please try to comment over the next seven days. Pillar 2 will be published next Saturday.

---- N192A ----

Postscript. I have added Chapter 1 of the State of the Nation paper 

on the recommended electoral reforms  at the end of Pillar 1.

PEOPLE'S CHARTER

PILLAR I

ENSURING SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY AND GOOD

AND JUST GOVERNANCE¹

Critical Problems and Issues:

A fair and just Constitution is the basis of good governance. However, a Constitution that divides the people and separates them, which does not provide for equal opportunities, can be neither fair nor just. The world community, in declarations and treaties expressing the highest ideals, has opposed racism and injustice. We the people of Fiji are all too aware of the harm racial division has to our country. We declare, through this Peoples Charter, our commitment to a Fiji free from all forms of discrimination.

Democracy must be entrenched in our Constitution in accord with our pledge to rebuild a Better Fiji for All: one nation, one people with a common identity and shared destiny.

NZ Paints Itself into Corner, Fijian 'Refugees', Taxi Union, Typhoid, Empowering Rural Women

N0145. NZ PAINTS  ITSELF INTO A CORNER.  This note from a reader:

"Why on earth we have allowed ourselves to be painted into a corner on Fiji I have no idea.  It would be naive to assume that when some sort of accommodation is reached and the rhetoric has it that we can return to 'normal' relations that relations will return to normal. 

It seems to me that both Fijians and a number of Pacific Islands governments and peoples will have watched the reaction to Fiji with a certain unease.  New Zealand realises that it gets huge support from the 14 Pacific Islands votes in the United Nations.  At the moment Fiji will be absent.  Who knows how PNG would vote and there will be one of two others perhaps who may fall into the 'false friends' camp.  That is, as I see it."



N0146. FIJIAN 'REFUGEES' SHOULD BE ASHAMED. Fijians who have been rejected as refugees to Australia are now appealing against rulings at a rate second only to Chinese citizens, 11% compared with 29%. Some 243 Fijians applied for review last financial year, compared with 59 the previous year.The number has fallen this year. Of course, the number of appeals is related to the number that have been refused refugee status, and it would seem Australia refuses most Fiji applications.

One wonders why we hear nothing about Fijian refugee applications, refusal and appeals in NZ. One wonders also whether the activities in Australia of Tui Savu and the Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement have scared Australia's ethnic Fijians into really believing their lives would be at risk if they returned to Fiji, or whether the appeals are a last ditch attempt to stay in the land of Oz.

Anti-Government blogs hold the Fiji military responsible for nine deaths, five following the mutiny in 2000 (six years before the Bainimarama coup); the remainder quite unrelated to political activities. Those seeking asylum should note that three former prime ministers, all hostile to the Bainimarama government, walk freely in Fiji. They should pluck up courage and return to Fiji — or at least be honest. Life in Australia is easier. And as one appeal fails, they can appeal again, and again, and their stay is extended for many more months.

N0147. PM ADVISES TAXI UNION. Speaking at the Fiji Taxi Union's AGM, the PM  has urged members to come up with a unified position -—like their counterparts in the Fiji Bus Operators Association— to facilitate solutions.

He said Government measures to assist the industry such as concessions on the import of LPG/CNG vehicles, the reduction in duty of vehicles up to 2500cc and the increased focused and resourcing of the Fiji police force, and longer term, policies to increase wages, to grow the economy by way of tourism and robust economic activity will all directly contribute towards increased business activity for taxi operators. Government recognizes the importance of the taxi sector and looks to the Fiji taxi union to co-operate with all the stakeholders to ensure a new look and viable taxi industry that has modern cars and has operators and drivers who are Fiji and customer focused. Bainimarama assured members that Government will work with the union to find fair and creative solutions to address the industry's problems.

N0148. TYPHOID. To put the record straight, The "outbreak" claimed by one anti-Govt blog is confined to the villages of Nasava, Narokorokoyawa, Korovou and Sawanikula in Wainimala, inland Naitasiri. The villages were placed under curfew after ten villagers were hospitalised. The number  remains at ten. A major vaccination  programme was conducted last year in high risk outbreak areas but villagers still need to practise better hygiene. Health Ministry spokesman Peni Namotu said clinical, environmental and awareness approaches are being used to tackle the problem. Fiji has one of the highest rates of typhoid fever in the region with regular outbreaks occurring mainly in remote areas.

N0149. EMPOWERING RURAL WOMEN. Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Minister Dr Jiko Luveni is on the island of Ovalau this week visiting ten villages where she will listen to women's difficulties and the ways Government can help them. She will inform them of Government’s plans and achievements especially those that relate to them as outlined in the Roadmap for Democracy Sustainable Socio-Economic Development (2009 to 2014).

Her trip is part of Government's  outreach programme that is aimed at empowering rural women financially and socially.  -- Based on 2011, No:0449/MWSPA.

Corruption, Transparency International, Melanesian Spearhead Group

NEW QUOTE FOR THE WEEK in right sidebar.
WHAT I BELIEVE ON FIJI. I have updated my position vis-a-vis the Bainimarama Goverment. Click on the AIMS-PRINCIPLES tab above.

ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY. Last week those who knew about it celebrated International Anti-Corruption Day.  In Fiji, the anti-corruption watchdog Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) organized an event in Sukuna Park where FICAC’s deputy commissioner, Mr George Langman appealed for everyone's help: “The task of eradicating corruption cannot be done alone by FICAC. Though we have been mandated to carry out this task, we need your support and co-operation.”

He said FICAC fights corruption in two ways: by investigations and prosecutions, and by what he described as "aggressive awareness campaigns." The toll free mobile line has been one effective tool made available to the public. We have taken people to court within 48 hours of receiving a call through a toll-free line.”

So far 41 cases have been tried with 23 convictions. Corruption comes in many forms and the number of cases  continue to grow.  This has meant the recruitment of specialised trainers to up skill staff. He advised people to think twice before succumbing to temptations.“For anyone tempted by easy money, I offer this advice, the worst day at work is still better than the best day in jail.”

The theme for the day was “Don’t let corruption kill development”. Exhibitors included Transparency International, the FICAC, Border Control, the Police, and Immigration.-- Based on 2010, No:2128/MOI.

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL AND CORRUPTION. A reader Walker Texas Ranger writes:
With regard to the whirlwind of corruption in which Fiji has been immersed over many years, it might now be timely to ask why the local board of Transparency International in Fiji saw fit to remain silent on matters which were brought fully to their attention in the past five years: human trafficking, organised criminal enterprise (of many categories), the failure of the judicial system to address matters coming before it with integrity and expeditiously?

They were requested repeatedly to ask for overseas assistance with the functioning of the Fiji Courts: with funding for an electronic court reporting system, assistance with cameras and remote television capacity for women and child victims of Crimes Against Humanity, safety and security within the court precincts not only for victims of violent crime including murder but also for judges and court officials. None of this was seriously attended to or addressed.

Several members of the board resigned during this period (for various reasons). On one occasion a former local employee of TI Fiji was found abusing TI-funded hospitality in an overseas hotel. What was going on here? If members of the board of the world's foremost integrity organisation were found wanting in this way, we must ask ourselves, surely, how ordinary members of society in Fiji would be behaving?

Corruption is insidious and Conflicts of Interest undeclared are corrupt and corrosive. Neither the board of TI Fiji nor other board members in Fiji appeared to comprehend or grasp the seriousness of prolonged conflicting interests in decision-making positions. Look at Fiji Sugar Corporation; look at Air Pacific; look at the Fiji Development Bank; look at FNPF; look at many other institutions which have failed the taxpayers of Fiji on many fronts.

But in the area of integrity and the declaration of interest, they have profoundly muddied the waters of governance. Those who sat on multiple boards of directors with almost no women members should look closely at themselves and their intentions. All boards in Fiji should now be mandated to have women directors as is the case in the Scandinavian countries: Denmark/Sweden/Norway. These women should be qualified to sit and have demonstrated successful experience of business. However, a 'caveat': the person who abused overseas hospitality paid for by TI funding was female, qualified and trained by Transparency International. Corruption knows no gender and it takes many forms.

TO HONIARA WITH LOVE. Contrary to earlier statements the new PM of Vanuatu Sato Kilman will be attending the Melanesian Spearhead Group "reconciliation" meeting in Honiara this week.  PM Bainimarama had earlier said Ratu Inoke Kuboabola would represent Fiji because Vanuatu, that had caused the breach with Fiji, was to be represented by its Foreign Minister. The reconciliation ceremony is to hand over the chairmanship role from Vanuatu to the Solomon Islands, which will decide on whether it will hand over to Fiji. One hopes it does because if it doesn't, its hard to see how the meeting will have reconciled anything.  It's probably too late for the PM to attend but we hope he sends his love.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE WEEKEND READINGS.

Tupuola Speculates, Naitasiri Tailevu Support Govt Work, Coconut Reseach, Marist Forum, The Grand Old GPH

PACIFIC SCOOP  & TUPUOLA. Pacific Scoop has a well earned reputation for solid journalism. When it publishes opinions they are invariably reasoned and supported with evidence and insight. Until two days ago. When it published a purely speculative article (supported by not a shred of evidence or any indication of the reliability of  unnamed sources) about a supposedly looming Fiji coup-within-the-coup.

The article was written  by Tupuola Terrence Tavita, the Editor of the Samoa Government newspaper Savali. It is not Tupuola's first trip into virtual space and I doubt it will be his last. Stories are easy to write when you can pull them out of the air. Investigative journalism takes longer.

I draw the article to readers' attention, not for its content, but for the flood of comments it generated. I urge you to read them by  clicking here. At my last count, no one agreed with him.

The article does, however, raise the possibility of a coup-within-the-coup. This is nothing new. It has always been a possibility. Support for what Government is doing and trying to do seems to be increasing (see next two items) but Fiji remains a divided nation with enough "loose cannons"  to cause immeasurable harm.

The longer overseas governments, most especially Australia and New Zealand, continue to act in ways that work against Fiji's economic recovery and internal stability -- and fail to support the government's much needed reforms --  the longer the possibility of another coup will last.  This prospect should cause Australia and NZ serious reflection: if the 2006 Coup is unable to establish the conditions for long-term stability, it will not be Fiji's last coup, not by a long chalk. As one reader observed:

The next coup d’etat will sink the Ship and all of those on board.  Without a shadow of a doubt. It will be violent and many people will be killed.  That is what the International Community’s fiddling and stand-off is bringing on.

NAITASIRI CHIEFS visited the PM today to show support for the work Government is currently undertaking. Roko Tui Naitasiri Peni Sokia said their visit had been agreed to by the Provincial Council and the Bose Vanua.

TAILEVU CHIEFS. Last week, chiefs of Tailevu also visited Bainimarama to show their support. Provincial Council chairman Josefa Seruilagilagi said the people of Tailevu wanted to thank Commodore Bainimarama for the developments that have taken place in Tailevu since his Government took over in 2006. He said some of the projects that were planned by previous governments over the last 30 years had not been completed or even started.

SAVUSAVU COCONUT RESEARCH STATION. Government's decision to establish a new Coconut Research Station in Wainigata, Savusavu, has been well received by the Copra Millers of Fiji. Coconuts provide an income for over 100,000 people in Fiji. Chairman Ilisoni Taoba said the station would help to boost, improve quality and add value to production in Vanua Levu which produces 65% of Fiji's coconuts.  Ilisoni said it takes 6,000 nuts to make one tonne of copra that sells for $650. The same number of nuts make 500 litres of virgin oil that sells for between $2 - $5 a litre, or $1000-5000, double or more what can be earned from making copra. -- Based on 2010 No: 1346/MOI.

PM WELCOMES MARIST FORUM DISCUSSIONS. PM Bainimarama is hopeful that the Marist Brothers Old Boys Mobilized 2010 Forum in October to be held from 23-31 October will send a strong positive message about our country. He said contributions towards Fiji in anyway by former Fiji citizens and locals shows that individuals still care and respect Fiji. He added that the Forum (and the workshop on "Good Strong Government Structures" as a means of institutional structuring which he will be opening) will provide an opportunity for robust discussions on many issues pertaining not only to the school but to the nation as a whole.

THE GRAND PACIFIC HOTEL. Empty for 18 years, Suva's jaded and near derelict icon, the historic Grand Pacific Hotel, is set to be restored and refurbished at an estimated cost of $90 million when the PNG National Superannuation Fund purchase the building from the Fiji National Provident Fund in the next few days.

WEEKEND READING. Allen Lockington's column, Bringing Fiji Back from the Cold, Australia's Meddling Part of Agenda to Dominate Fiji, Akuila Yabaki's From Paramountcy to Equality (conclusion), Curse of the Soli, Media Ethics and Media Freedom Issues in Fiji.  

Normally published on Saturday morning, this weekend's readings, other than Allen's column, will be published at 3:45pm this afternoon to allow those without a computer at home to have a quick look. Allen's column will be published at the usual time.

Ramadan, Rumours, Governance, Lawyers, Australians Turn Cheek, Shipbuilding, Soldiers, PINA & PacMA

MUSLIMS CELEBRATE. Fiji's 55,000 Muslims are observing the month of Ramadan which started on August 10th.

THIS WEEK'S RUMOURS.  There would still be anti-government rumours, of course, even without the Public Emergency Regulations (PER)  but with PER in place it takes that much longer to refute them before they have achieved much of their purpose: to discredit, distract and destablize governnment.  The absence of "free airwaves" also makes the task of checking on the reliability of the rumours much more difficult.

This week's rumours raised questions on whether the government's Roadmap really existed; the Military Council had called for Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum's resignation (always a popular one when they are both overseas); the PM and other Cabinet members with more than one portfolio were "double dipping," and  whether the Attorney-General's Aunt was involved in corrupt practices. I wonder what next week will bring. It's already started with a comment to this post: "Where is Teleini? He has disappeared faster than the natadola communique?" Should be Teleni.  But nice try. Anything else to distract me?

VISIBLE GOVERNING. The PS for the Public Service, Parmesh Chand, says that the visibility of the role and services of respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies is steadily improving. This has been helped by Civil Service Public Week, the Agriculture Show, strengthened rural development machinery and the on-going emphasis by the PM that civil servants should reach out to as many people as possible, particularly those in the rural areas.  The Government Information & Referral Centre in downtown is also playing its part. Seven Ministries and Departments have already exhibited their programmes at the downtown facility.These activities also help Government to get a better feel of public perceptions and the types of assistance they require to improve their livelihood.  -- based on 2010 No:1221/PSC.

These activities stem from the People's Charter general provisions on governance and the Roadmap's more specific targetting.  I hope soon  to have one or more posts that will explain the Charter, the Roadmap and the Strategic Framework for Change structures and functions.

DORSAMI NAIDU FOUND GUILTY. Fiji’s Independent Legal Services Commission has found lawyer Dorsami Naidu guilty of complaints of unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct. Commissioner John Connors stated details of a total of 18 complaints against Naidu, two of which Connors said were withdrawn because of the unavailability of the complaints.Seven complaints were dismissed. Among the complaints proven against Naidu were five of unsatisfactory professional conduct and two complaints of professional misconduct. Under one of the complaints of unsatisfactory professional conduct, Connors said Naidu billed an estate the sum of $3,750 when the legal services rendered did not justify this amount “falling short of the standards of competence and diligence that a member of the public is entitled to expect of a reasonably competent or professional practitioner”. In another instance, Naidu prepared a sale and purchase agreement for a 10-acre piece of land in Nadi, failing to inform the buyer that the land was co-owned. Naidu is the President of the Fiji Law Society and an outspoken critic of Goverment. The charges against Naidu are part of ongoing investigations resulting from public complaints against lawyers.

SUNIL KUMAR ACQUITTED. Former Nausori Magistrate Sunil Kumar has  been acquitted of trying to prevent the course of justice after it was alleged that he had tried to deter police officers in Nausori from booking anyone for any traffic offence in the Nausori area and allegedly making certain comments in open court.

WHOSE BLUFF? WHOSE CHEEK? Interviewed by ABC, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith was asked "what do you propose to do to try to advance your agenda with Fiji for a return to democracy, because clearly at the moment Frank Bainimarama is heading a long way away from Australia?"  Smith replied:

"Yeah that's regrettable, I mean we will continue, despite any number of rebuffs, continue to try and get a dialogue going with the Commodore and with the interim administration in Fiji to bring Fiji back to democracy and respect for human rights. There's unanimity amongst the Pacific Island Forum leaders that Fiji's suspension has to continue until they return to democracy. The same with the Commonwealth. But we've got to find a way back to a dialogue and we will simply redouble our efforts. It would have been the easiest thing in the world to respond in kind when Commodore Bainimarama expelled our acting high commissioner, but I didn't want to leave our professional diplomatic relationships with Fiji unrepresented in Canberra. So I turned the other cheek on that matter. It's simply a matter of us keeping at it. We are worried about Fiji moving further into an isolationist position, and in my conversations with the leaders of the Pacific and Vanuatu, we all believe absolutely in the need to just continue our efforts for a dialogue to bring them back to their full standing as a democratic Pacific nation."

SHIP BUILDING POTENTIAL. On his return from China and talks with China's largest shipbuilding company, PM Bainimarama is hopeful that Fiji will once again build its own ships and that Fiji Ships and Heavy Industries Limited will become the top shipbuilding company in the Pacific.

MORE SOLDIERS TO TRAIN IN CHINA. Another result of the PM's recent China visit is that more officers will probablt soon be receiving specialised training in China. The trip was fully funded by the Chinese Government as Commodore Bainimarama was the chief guest at Fiji’s National Day Celebrations at the 2010 Shanghai Expo.

PINA MORE MEMBERS THAN EVER. With 21 members, the Pacific Islands News Association has dismissed claims from the newly-formed Pacific Media Association (PacMA) that they only have a handful of members across the Pacific, and mainly from Melanesia countries. PacMA was formed because some members, notably from Samoa and Cook Islands, thought PINA was not sufficiently critical of Fiji's media restrictions and the Bainimarama government.

However, PINA Manager Matai Akuola says PINA is just doing things differently. "The statement put out by the PINA President is that we are not wrong but are doing things differently. In regards to media freedom we are having dialogue with governments and no longer are we putting out statements to please some people. We are working and having dialogue with government we’ve had meetings with the current Fiji government. So, that a progress. That is a move forward. That’s why we are saying we are not wrong we are just doing things differently."

City in Flames: Some Parallels with Fiji

The extracts below come from a long, analytical article on the complex political situation in Thailand, a situation shaped by its rich history and economic success, its extremes of wealth and poverty, the tangled class intrigues and changing loyalties, vote-buying, corruption, the role of the military -- and how this incredible paradoxical complexity has been simplified and written up by the Western media.  Vinaka, Cornelius, for recognizing similarities with the Fiji political situation, and how it is reported by the Western media, and for sending me  this link to the full story.

Extract 1. "This is what the western press see as the source of the conflict that has torn the heart out of central Bangkok over the past few months. The consensus being that this is the rural poor trying to wrestle political control from the wealthy elite who will not give up their privileges easily.

"This is Fleet Street Foreign journalism 101 with the golden rule being that you had to separate the two sides in such a way that your readership will understand and, as a paper, you can unequivocally come down on one side. And if the two sides (there’s always two – the MSM can’t cope with more) haven’t actually got any discernable ideological differences then make some. For example, did you notice how many of the reports stated the ‘Eton educated’ Thai Prime Minister just to show which side he falls on in terms we can understand. Against the ‘charismatic’ (read wealthy) and plucky exile Thaksin Shinawattra who is fighting for –ahem- social justice and has donated the profit from the sale of Manchester City to pay for the demonstration.

"But it isn’t quite that simple. Nothing ever is in Thailand. It truly is the dictionary definition of a paradox; a land of absolute contrasts with startling beauty and deep ugliness populated by a happy, smiling, generally gentle people ..."

Extract 2. "How does anybody expect a country that hadn’t been colonised and thus had no concept of a modern civil service, the crucial underpinning to a functioning democratic government, expect to get the hang of this democracy thing and, harder yet, try to make it work. Of course, it didn’t."

Extract 3.  "So the country had a series of political coups usually accompanied by military dictatorships. Remember the Army had a stable structure and clear lines of command and responsibility – something very difficult to achieve in even the best, most consensual, multi-party political coalition. The Army essentially saw its role as stepping in to add order when the politics that they were getting the hang of went out of control. Except they usually hung around too long and tinkered with the constitution cutting out democratic freedoms that they thought the country wasn’t ready for."

Extract 4. In less than four generations Thailand suddenly grew a middle class. Thus the urban middle class demanded amended constitutions that allowed for universal suffrage, as middle classes usually do once they get a loud enough voice.

Extract 5. Meanwhile the Army announced a timetable for the resumption of democratic elections after a suitable (2 year) breathing space to allow new political parties to be formed and for an orderly election to be fought. This was a new more pragmatic Army, more in tune with what the people wanted. It still saw itself as one of the two main stabilizing factors (together with the Monarchy) that underpinned the country and ALLOWED it to have a democratic system. Indeed Thailand was, and pretty much still is, the only working democracy in this corner of  South East Asia and even the most jaded western observer has to admit that the King’s deft touch, plus the judicial use of unstated but self evident force, were what pulled the country back from the brink of Political chaos on a number of occasions.

One Small Step? Australia Lifts Travel Ban

Three Wise Men?

Several readers have expressed the opinion that the lifting of the travel ban by Australia signals a breakthrough in its relations with Fiji. I would like to think so also, because there can be no improvement in relations without dialogue and if the ban remains lifted, more capable people will apply for senior government positions -- and this can only be good for dialogue and democracy.

There are four reasons why I am less optimistic:

• First, the ban had to be lifted to allow Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola to meet with his Australian and NZ counterparts, Stephen Smith and Murray McCully  in Canberra;
•  Secondly, it is a qualified "case by case" lift, that can be revoked at any time, but this is probably the best that can be expected in the circumstances.  It is a pity family exemptions were not explicitly mentioned but this may the next call.
  
• Thirdly, ABC interviewer Linda Mottram in the report seen by some readers says Ratu Inoke Kubuabola carries little weight with the Bainimarama government. She cites no sources, but given the Government's record of allowing different spokesmen to say different things only to have them "corrected" later by Bainimarama, her comment is at least credible. Kubuabola's mention of Parmesh Chand to McCully at their Nadi meeting  and the subequent nomination of Neumi Leweni is a specific example.
  
• Fourthly, and most importantly, Smith signaled the action represented no change in their basic position: 1) Fiji must "return to democracy on a much shorter timetable than the interim government is currently indicating." 2) "There must be full and free and fair participation in the political process in Fiji which, in our view, is not occurring," 3) "We  (Australia and NZ) propose to let our views about the current arrangements in Fiji continue to be known to our neighbours and friends in the Pacific and in the Commonwealth." Link to Joint Press Conference.

Middle Ground

One can only hope this a mix of principle and expediency with a large pinch of face-saving. The South Pacific's "superpowers" can't -- and won't -- give in to Bainimara, and for the same mix of reasons Bainimarama can't -- and won't-- give in to them.

There is, of course (because there must be) a middle ground that would revolve around multi-lateral, one-step-after-the-other, concessions to speed up the process: Speed is at the centre of the issue. Speed fast enough to satisfy AusNZ, and convince Fiji citizens that real progress is being made, but not so fast Bainimarama has insufficient time to at least embed, if not fully achieve,  the changes he desires

What steps can be taken?
Fiji could accept some members of the old political parties into the citizen dialogue process (and later constititional and electoral dialogues) on the understanding that they publically accept the priniciples of the People's Charter and the need for electoral reform, including the abolition of race-based parties.  Once the Media Decree is in place the PERS emergency could be lifted, and some reasonable accommodation sought with the Methodist Chuch in exchange for their oath to permanently refrain from party politicking, and desist from misinforming world-wide Methodism about the causes for their present position.

In return, AustNZ could offer legal, technical and financial help to speed up investigations into corruption, and assist with legal reform, media reform, civil service reform, land reform and land use, and other items of the Roadmap.

Of symbolic but no less important, AustNZ would send out really good vibes to Fiji if it asked the Commonwealth (which acted in the first place on their prompting) to readmit Fiji into the Commonwealth Games because "progress" was being made.  One sanction less will not ease the pressure on Fiji but this one could well be the "test of sincerity" Fiji says it wants.

Further concessions should see AustNZ actively encouraging Fiji's participation in all the regional institutions and processes from which it has restricted access or been totally excluded. At some stage the Commonwealth and the EU could also  be persuaded to resume their aid and othe assistance to Fiji. We could also reduce pressure on the UN on Fiji peacekeepers.

If most or many of these steps could be taken, Fiji should be able to bring elections forward to 2013 or even 2012.

Before then, each positive step taken by Fiji should be taken as "progress" by AustNZ leading to further steps and, with each step taken, Fiji will see we really are their friends in need and deed.  Once a firm election date is set, all sanctions should be lifted with Fiji returned to its rightful place in the community of nations.

Other Players, the First Move, a Special Committee?
There are, of course, other important players, in Fiji and overseas.  In Fiji, the most influential include the media, the Methodist Church, the more moderate politicians, chiefs, trade unions, and non-government organizations. If they are seen to be supporting the steps forward, success is assured and the  more extreme elements will become irrelevant to Fiji's future.  The AustNZ media, that for the most part has made the situation worse,  also need  to be better informed and more supportive of positive change.

Who makes the first move? AustNZ with the Commonwealth Games, Pacer Plus, the regional organizations mentioned by Richard Herr? Or Fiji by lifting PERS, being more inclusive and tolerant of constructive debate and criticism, by retracting its latest restrictions on the Methodist Church, by revoking no further pensions, and improving its PR and speaking with one voice. One stray public remark could seriously set the process back.


A Special Diplomatic Committee?
The ball is probably already rolling behind the scenes, but until more senior diplomats are installed in Suva, Wellington and Canberra, a special diplomatic committee representing the three countries, housed at the Forum headquarters in Suva, with hot lines to their respective ministers, could help push things forward and, just as important, ratchet up each step and stop it sliding back.

Update: That the Ministers have reported some progress and have agreed to meet again may seem an anti-climax but we may be assured discussions will continue at different levels. This "feels" more like the end of the beginning than the beginning of the end.

Reflections on the Naidu-Walsh Debate

Between Politics and Poetry 

by Sudarsan Kant

Your recent debate with Nick Naidu on the political situation in Fiji unwittingly exposed a fundamental divide between the different interlocutors around the Fiji question and the proper course of action to pursue in solving the crisis. You have for sometime now insisted that substantive solutions must be congruent with the reality on the ground, and to pretend otherwise will not alter what has happened, and is happening in Fiji.

Neither you nor I suggest that we ought to elide over the hash that people have made of politics and society in Fiji for a very long time, but trying to wind the clock back to 1987, or 2000 or 2006 is certainly not moving forward.

(o) Coupfourpointfive Continues to Mislead

Coupfourpointfive is an Auckland-based anti-government blog published by anonymous journalists.  Other than publishing the occasional rumours that later proved false, it used to be generally well informed and reasonably balanced. Lately, the number and quality of its postings have sharply declined, suggesting a change of editors.

Cafe Pacific, commented on my earlier post under the heading:

Fiji Blog Cops a Blast Over 'Treason' Law Makeover Misrepresentation

This is what it  wrote: Blog Coupfourpointfive has had its credibility challenged over a report claiming any "Negativity against regime treated as treason". The shallow item was attributed in the first paragraph to "sources". Former University of the South Pacific Development Studies academic Crosbie Walsh, whose own Fiji blog is increasingly looked to for informed and accurate analysis, has condemned the website, run by journalists, for misrepresentation. The original "treason" blog posting has now had a hasty title change to "New Criminal decree brings worry". Read on...  Cafe Pacific then reprints my posting.

Title Change But No Retraction and Equally Incorrect Comments Allowed

The blog has since accepted and published nine comments from readers -- except mine that merely asked for a copy of the decrees. I reprint the comments, partly to show how misrepresentation multiplies, but mainly to demonstrate the thinking of those commenting. I have underlined the most revealing thoughts. Readers will note the absence of constructive comment on how to resolve the situation other, of course, than that proposed by Wellington anti-government blogger, Sai Lealea.

Mark Manning said... "Might this be the last straw ? To expect others to suffer a prison sentence for Sedition at the hands of an illegal entity, for criticising the very person who himself was about to be arrested for sedition, is hypocritical to say the least.The difference and stark contrast is, Frank Bainimarama was guilty of Sedition against a " Legal Entity " .

Anonymous said...Here we go again! Frank and Khaiyum are consolidating their positions so that they will be in power for the next 20 years. 
The worse part is that Fijians are lapping all these up and now starting to praise Frank the dictator as the saviour of Fiji!
From the beginning Fijians have always suffered from this weakness. They will yell and swear that democracy and elected govt is the only way to go. But if Frank persists for a short while and do some pysical development at the village level then Fijians will start turning around and praising him as if he is the lord Jesus Christ.Click on Read more...

(o+) Making Sense of Recent Government Actions

OPINION
Something's going on. After months of easing tensions-- no fresh reports of possible human rights abuse, supportive statements from many in Fiji, from this blog and many overseas commentators culminating in the McCully-Kubuabola statements this week, slighter better relations between Government and the Fiji Times, and better than expected economic news despite the recent cyclone -- we have a rash of "aggressive" actions by Government, all within the span of a few days.

First, international juror and  government opponent Imrana Lala was charged by FIAC, the anti-corruption commission, with not having a licence to operate her part-owned restaurant (sic!) and the dismissal of some magistrates. Then Dr Padma Narsey Lal, wife of ANU's Prof. Brij Lal and brother of USP's Prof. Wadan Narsey, both staunch government opponents, was refused re-entry into the country.  Then 15 senior Suva City Council employees were sent home pending charges they were using SCC computers and time to write for anti-Government blogs.

Then Bainimarama announces that retired public servants  -- and that includes former PMs Qarase and Chaudhry -- who speak out against the Government will not receive their pensions (see comment below on this). The very same day he says the Methodist Church will not be allowed to hold their annual conference until after the elections in 2014. He said Government spies within the Church report ongoing anti-government activity.

Why this sudden hostility and blustering when things seemed to be going so well for Government? Is it pure coincidence, or do at least some of these events, all of which threaten freedom of speech, have a common cause or explanation?

The Wider Context

The wider context within which these events can perhaps be better understood is one in which Government sees the "normal" workings of civil society, where opinions are freely expressed and exchanged, as distractions and impediments to what it says it is trying to do.

Hence their delayed attention to political change, and their immediate focus on economic and infrastructural changes -- roads, electricity, the use of idle land, and agricultural initiatives in rural areas; getting rid of corruption and poor work ethics in the civil service; reforming national and local institutions such as the NLTB (Native Land Trust Board) and urban councils; opening up jobs and scholarships to all races; support for garment and tourist industry marketing; and a number of actions to reduce poverty, including housing assistance, the introduction of a minimum wage,access to micro-credit, a fairer distribution of land rent money to ordinary Fijian villagers, food coupons and free or subsidized school meals and transport.

Government wants to see major improvements in all these areas before it fully addresses political, constitutional and electoral issues in 2012-13. But just as foreign investors seek political stability to protect their investment, the Bainimarama Government seeks to impose stability (where it is not freely given) so it can get on with the job. Hence its constant references to the need for "unity" to "take the country forward."

This is not the normal way democratic governments operate, but it is not unknown. It is the way Allied governments operated during the two World Wars; how the US military, with and without government connivance, operates from time to time, and, perhaps even more relevantly, how Singapore dragged itself up from a poor, racially and politically fractured Third World country to become the country it is today.  In the early days, Lee Yuan Yew was far more oppressive than Bainimarama, and no less of a dictator. This, I think, is the wider context.

The Immediate Context

The more immediate context involves high celebrity court cases with Qarase, and possibly Weleilakemba and others, charged with corruption and abuse of office. My understanding is that these hearings will commence next week. The other big event is the first meeting of the Citizen's Assembly on the 27-28th.

Whenever Government anticipates its opponents will use events to trigger discontent, it is likely to send out strong warnings about "consequences", take measures to break or disrupt opposition networks, and forestall all overt expressions of opposition. This is how it operated in the lead up to last year's Methodist Conference, and this is how it could be operating now.

What we think of as unconnected, vindictive, arbitrary acts could in fact be part of a pre-conceived plan for civil society until 2014 -- modelled on a first-strike military manoeuvre. –- Crosbie Walsh.

Readers are urged to read comments to all posts, and particularly to this post. Just click "Comments" below.

(-) Padma Lal Refused Re-Entry, Deported

 Coupfourpointfive reports that Dr Padma Lal was refused re-entry into Fiji after spending Christmas-New Year with her husband Prof. Brij Lal. The Lals, who have a home in Canberra and Suva, are now Australian citizens.  Dr Lal is the sister of Prof. Wadan Narsey, another prominent government opponent. Dr Lal works for the Fiji Office of International Union for Conservation of Nature and, as far as I  know, has not been engaged in any political activity whilst in Fiji. Many who may otherwise wish the Bainimarama government well will question the good sense of this action by the Immigraton officers.

Snippets: Imrana Jalal, PER, Civil Service Audit, Permanent Secretaries, Child Poverty, Garment Industry, Bus Workers Unionise

(-) By Hook or by Crook* Chook. It really does take a big leap of imagination to know why it's the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), and not the Suva City Council, that is charging well known human rights and anti-government lawyer Imrana Jalal and her husband Ratu Sakiusa Tuisolia with operating their Suva Hook and Chook restaurant without a proper licence. See also Imrana's statement on this charge posted on Coup FourPointFive.

Fiji Law Society President Dorsami Naidu, also not a government friend, says he doesn’t understand why FICAC has become involved, but adds "the Commission seem to single out people who are critical of the regime." It may be  coincidental but magistrate Mary Muir who questioned FICAC over the matter was  dismissed on Monday.

Whatever the rights and wrongs involved, Government must not be -- and must not be seen to be -- petty or vindictive in situations like this. It has a country to run! Not a restaurant!

* Hook or by crook means "by any means possible." Origin possibly from a custom in mediaeval England that allowed peasants to take dead wood from the royal forest that they could reach with a shepherd's crook or a reaper's billhook.  Photo: LunchinSuva

G) PER Extended but -- Light at the End of the Tunnel?  PER, the Public Emergency Regulations, first imposed in April following the Abrogation of the Constitution, were extended for another 30 days from January 3, but indications are that they will be lifted once the recently passed Media Decree is in place. Full story.

(G) Massive Civil Service Audit. All Government departments and ministries will be audited this year as a step to decide their right-size. The audit will also determine the minimum qualifications required, and the appropriatess of salary scales,for each position. The restructuring exercise that will follow in 2011 is part of Government’s plan to reform the civil service which could also save the country a huge amount of money. Full story.

(o) Permanent Secretaries. Ten permanent secretary posts in Government ministries, where contracts are due to expire in March, have been advertised by the Public Service Commission. The posts are:  Local Government, Lands and Mineral Resources, Trade and Commerce and Labour ,Public Service, Public Enterprise, Indigenous Affairs, Agriculture, Public Utilities and Defence, National Security and Immigration.

In anticipation of the usual comments by Anti-Government bloggers, please note that these are routine arrangements with none of sinister implications the bloggers invariably read into changes in the civil service. Full story.

(o) Children and Poverty. An honest, apolitical, no-holds-barred account of child poverty in Fiji can be read on the Inter Press Service website.

(+) Garments and Poverty Alleviation.The garment industry, that currently employs about 4,000 people, mostly women and mostly very poor, suffered a loss of over 1,000 jobs and a drop of 25 percent in exports last year. Government hopes to turn this situation round with the grant of $300,000 to a goverment-private sector marketing campaign intended to grow jobs to 6,000 and increase exports to over $150m within three years. The industry plays an important part in Governnment's poverty alleviaton programme, providing workers and their families with low but steady incomes, protection of the labour laws, dignity and a degree of empowerment. Full story.   

(+) Buses and Unions. Nair Transport Company that operates in the Nasinu area will become the first bus company to allow its workers to be members of a trade union. Fiji Transport Workers Union secretary Kamlesh Kumar hopes details will be finalized soon, and that other bus companies will follow suit. Full story.

(+) The Government School Bus fare subsidy scheme has been  extended to those travelling by boat, minibus and carriers.

   

(o+) Yabaki on Ridding Fiji of its "Coup Culture"

Rev. Akuila Yabaki  argues Fiji must rid itself of its coup culture through seeking an egalitarian, non-race-based constitution.  Click here for a full report in Pacific Scoop by Thakur Ranjit Singh. 
To read Akuila's "From Paramountcy to Equality" download from Mediafire by clicking  here.

One person commenting on the article said: "I have lived in Fiji for 20 years. This sums everything up. NZ and AUST politicians should read and act accordingly on this sensible and true statement..."

Extracts from the report on his talks in Auckland

• The constitution should not be allowed to give legitimacy to a race-based politics and elections in this modern world. Removing the race-based politics would endanger support for political parties; hence their narrow political vested interest was the cause of reluctance in supporting this process, especially the Methodist Church and Qarase’s SDL Party.

• The rationale for militarisation at the positions of power was to increase efficiency by removing bureaucracy that had been stifling progress. The coup culture could only be discussed by discussing the military make up and involving them in the discussions.

• The National Charter for Building a Better Fiji (NCBBF) was a good document with 11 pillars to carve a roadmap for Fiji that was supposed to have been done through a parliamentary process.

• The process of involving the civil society had commenced and the citizen diplomacy had started, involving community and the civil society. However dialogue at the political level had not commenced as there was a need for a genuine desire to change and move the country forward.

• When questioned on anything positive coming out of Fiji, Yabaki said that school bus fares had been made free while the budget had been well-received by all sections of the community. Roads were being opened up, they were also kept in good order and the administration was now coming to the people and there appeared to be a change in the traditional bureaucratic civil service mentality.

• On the New Zealand government stand on Fiji, Yabaki said that NZ had not succeeded as answers needed to come from Fiji, therefore more conciliatory policies would help inculcate and enhance democracy in Fiji.

• His main message on Fiji was to do what was best for Fiji. He pleaded to all, especially to politicians and even foreign governments to appreciate and realise that they were dealing with the military and hence they needed to find a window of opportunity to make a difference for the better future for democracy in Fiji.                               Photo: Cafe Pacific .
• Read what readers say. Click "Comments" below.

(o-) New Crime Decree Mixed Benefits

The new Crime Decree 2009 to come into effect in February has many commendable features; one understandable feature (on prostitution) is an improvement but prostitution is still illegal; and one feature (on abortion) that one reader calls "draconian."  The Decree is taking a while to be published on the Government website so my comment is based on media releases only. First the commendable features:

The  Decree is the first revamp of crimes legislation in a hundred years. It includes sound and generally progressive provisions relating to corruption, rape, and procurement of prostitution. New offences such as genocide, crimes against humanity, slavery, sexual servitude and deceptive recruiting and trafficking in persons and children now also fall under this decree. Previously Fiji was not compliant with international laws on trafficking. Internet and cyber offences will also be criminalised. Click for link one  two. Provision is made to ensure greater consistency in sentencing for similar offences.

And now the less commendable: the limited grounds for legal abortion (only where pregnancy would cause danger to the pregnant woman's life) and the "draconian" penalties for breaking the law (medical practitioner, up to 14 years imprisonment; self-induced abortion 7 years). Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, speaking of other parts of the Decree, said it brought Fiji into the 21st century. The abortion provisions most certainly do not do this. Most Western and Asian countries now make properly supervised abortion legal on several grounds that include the physical, mental and emotional health of the woman;  teenage pregnancy; foetal abnormality or impairment; transfer of a serious congenital condition to the child;  rape, and incest. As far as one can tell, Fiji makes no provision except for the danger of the woman losing her life. If international records are valid for Fiji, far more deaths will now occur due to illegal abortions.

The whole question, of course, has gender-biased, moral, cultural and religious overtones. The Fiji Daily Post  claims abortion "goes against all religion" when, in fact, abortion only goes against certain interpretations of the sacred books of two  major religions --- that also proscribe fornication, adultery and other "sins", none of which are punishable in Fiji civil law. 

But the issue also has goverance implications. A major problem of legislating by Decree is that proposed legislation gets inadequate airing.  I wonder how many women, and how many non-Christian, non-Muslim and non-religious people were consulted on this one. A Government concerned for the well-being of all its citizens should consult very widely, and not impose its religious values on those not sharing these values. 

They should also show more compassion and make more allowance for human error (""Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.") I would like to hear how the Minister of Health, Dr Jiko Luweni, a doctor and the sole female member of Cabinet, explain her support for this legislation. 

Photo: Dr Jiko Luweni. Fiji Daily Post.

Snippets: Sanctions, Citizenship, Tappoo City, Poverty Money in Wrong Hands, 55 Too Young to Retire

(+) "Smart" Sanctions, Indeed

Fiji's Solicitor-General Christopher Pryde, a Kiwi represents the irony of ‘smart sanctions. Foreigners like Pryde can take up government positions with no penalties, but Fiji citizens are placed on  travel bans.

The so-called "smart" sanctions were supposed to apply to military and senior government people (and their families) but seem to have been indiscriminately applied to anyone holding any senior Government appointment extending even  to membership of the University of the South Pacific Council. Ikbal Janiff’s membership was renewed by the post-coup regime and he is banned from traveling to New Zealand. I understand also that Reserve Bank Governor Sada Reddy has had his NZ Permanent Residence status revoked.

(o) Sane Words from Akuila Yabaki

The executive director of the Fiji Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF) says there’s no point holding an election in Fiji until the country’s deep seated racial problems are addressed.Rev. Akuila Yabaki told the Pacific Islands Political Studies Association (PIPSA) conference held in Auckland last week that too much emphasis is being placed [by foreign governments] on restoring democracy rather than on addressing Fiji’s real problems.

Reverend Yabaki says despite the country’s history of coups, large sectors of the population lack even the most basic information on what citizenship is. “In our work in the villages, 17% of the people knew what citizenship is... when you come to Fiji, you fill in the immigration form, you’ve got Fiji citizen. But before we had categories of Fijians. They’ve got rid of that. But then you have to educate people to understand what a Fiji citizen is, that you have a passport, you are born in Fiji.”

Akuila Yabaki says that lack of knowledge affects the political process, and internal problems such as the divide between ethnic Fijians and Indo-Fijians must be addressed first.

(+) Tappoo Group Confident in Fiji Economy

Speaking at the opening of the new Suva $50m department store, TappooCity, company Director Mahendra Tappoo said its construction showed "[the Tappoo family has] a lot of confidence in the economy. We believe that whatever political problems we might have, Fiji is going to do great in business."The six-storey complex, a joint venture between Fiji National Provident Fund and the Tappoo Group, is hailed as a new city landmark that will offer international standard shopping experience to locals as well as tourists.  Full  story.

(o) Poverty Money Went to Wrong Hands

Large amounds of money under the poverty alleviation programme given out over past years did not help reduce poverty because some of it went into the wrong hands, says Health Minister Jiko Luveni.  Much of the money was not targeted to the right people, often because "decisions were made without a reliable and comprehensive database and without an assessment of the effectiveness and sustainability of relevant policies, a gap that needs technical expertise."

She said government aimed to reduce poverty to a negligible level by 2015 and to reduce poverty to 5 percent of the population by 2020."Fiji is something of a dual economy with more than half of its labour force in the informal economy and relies mostly on private insurance and support from immediate and extended families and the local community," she said."However, social changes, migration and political upheaval meant the emergence of increasing numbers of people no longer supported adequately by traditional communal and extended family social structures and risk falling into destitution.

Mrs Luveni said government was serious about developing a strong, effective and efficient public sector ensuring services were delivered as scheduled.She said the poverty alleviation program provided clients with opportunities to support themselves."Moreover, we must have an effective social security scheme that will cater for our increasing aged population."

(o) Don’t Discard Workers at 55

Fiji’s decision to retire civil servants at 55 has not been supported by Meiji University's Professor Akira Nakamura. He  said “55 is too young. It’s easy to fire, but you also have to think of some other ways to cover the post retirement jobs, otherwise you are really demoralizing public officials.” Nakamura was invited by the Fiji government to conduct a seminar for its senior staff as part of its civil service reform initiative.

About 2300 civil servants, including 776 teachers, who had reached the age of 55, retired on April 30 this year as a result of the decision by Government to cut the cost of running its workforce and channel more funds to capital projects. Some of the retirees were re-employed and signed new contracts in their specialized roles.

(B) Fiji, Australia and New Zealand: the Bitterness of an Unresolved Contradiction

By Scott MacWilliam

There is a paradox or contradiction at the centre of relations between the military government of Fiji and the governments of Australia and New Zealand. The latter would like the Fiji military to be involved in politics only when it suits their foreign policy objectives: the RFMF* continues to see its role in nation-building, rather than occasional, instrumental terms.

In all societies there is a tension around the most desirable role for the armed forces in domestic politics: in Australia soldiers have been used to break strikes, and add prestige to governments. In the USA, the President, an elected politician is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and soldiers have been regularly used against strikers, student protestors and any other ‘threats’ to domestic order.

It is therefore a fiction that the military stays out of politics in any country. However in Fiji, at least since 1987 the relationship between the military and domestic politics has been central and more apparent than in some countries. During the People’s Coalition Government (1999-2000) and during the subsequent Laisenia Qarase-led governments, it was obvious that the civilian authorities held office dependent upon military support. This form of militarised democracy was acceptable to successive Australian and New Zealand governments.

Once it was decided that elections were to be held in 2001, two questions were being constantly asked in Fiji and in other countries. Would the Fiji Labour Party win the most seats at the forthcoming general election? Would the military, whose support underpinned the interim government, accept an election result which produced a potential government led by deposed PM Mahendra Chaudhry? These were not just hypothetical questions, for the FLP had a more substantial electoral machine than the newly formed United Fiji Party (SDL) led by Qarase.

Before the election, a function was held to farewell a Fijian sporting team going overseas for competition. The guest of honour was Commodore Bainimarama. During the function, the subject of the forthcoming elections arose and the head of the Fiji military forces gave his view on the likely outcome of the election. His unequivocal position was that Qarase would be the PM.

News of Commodore Bainimarama’s statement travelled fast on the coconut wireless. While not unexpected, given that the military’s backing was critical for the formation and continued operation of the interim government, nevertheless the certainty of the response suggested the formation of the government after the election was what in horse racing and other sports would be termed ‘a fix’. That is, no matter how many seats the FLP won on its own or pulled together in a post-election alliance to have enough MPs to form a majority, there would be no second Chaudhry-led government.

The proposed ‘fix’ was known by the Australian government. At the time I also spoke with a well-informed New Zealand-based journalist who advised that the NZ government knew what was being proposed. In the absence of contrary evidence, it seems highly likely that both the Australian and New Zealand governments were at least tacitly accepting Bainimarama’s position. Such an outcome would give their foreign policies continuity and provide what they would regard as stability for Fiji, an elected if not necessarily majority government backed by military power.

Remarkably, including because of the fraud, vote buying and intimidation which occurred, the FLP won the largest percentage of the vote and the second most seats. The result showed those in power in Fiji, as well as the Australian and New Zealand governments, that they had been right to be concerned about a possible FLP victory. Contingency planning was justified and the RFMF’s role in this plan warranted.

In 2001, the RFMF were encouraged to support an election for which the outcome in terms of who would hold government was already resolved. Holding office through military fiat would have been acceptable, including to Australian and New Zealand governments then. So why is the Fiji military’s current insistence that it is ‘holding the ring’ until proper elections can be held so abhorrent to these governments?

At a personal level, is the ‘madness’ which Australian and New Zealand officials so regularly ascribe to PM Bainimarama that he has trouble understanding and responding appropriately to the fluctuating international expectations of the RFMF? Encouraged to place the RFMF at the centre of electoral democratic solutions on at least one occasion, but then required to play no part on another! Frank the saviour of electoral democracy in 2001, but Frank the enemy of electoral democracy in 2006 – he must be unstable!

Neither the Australian nor NZ governments seem to realise that for the soldier nationalists of the RFMF their role in the country’s future is never regarded merely as expeditious, transitory. As the current ambitions for political reform overseen by the military suggest, their nationalism is not primarily an ethnic variety. The RFMF plays a major role in Fiji’s politics because of its perceived central place in national development. The continued emigration of so many educated, skilled people increases the likelihood that, in the absence of a substantial, politically active middle class, the military will continue to be important in Fiji’s domestic politics. Instead of pushing the military only to become involved in politics occasionally, Australia and NZ might consider a longer-term strategy for making the RFMF democratic developers.

*  RFMF Republic of Fiji Mililary Forces.

(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]

(o+) Govt Insists on Development Money Accountability: Part of Roadmap

Hi Croz – did you see this story on North Projects Worry State in Tuesday's Fiji Sun? It is a very good example of why there has to be accountability at all levels and why there has to be change of attitude in Fiji in order to achieve accountability and transparency. Loloma, L.

The story (extracts below) concerned under-used goverment money and incomplete government-funded village projects included community halls, water sources, housing and toilets.

Strategic Framework for Change Northern Coordinator, Kisoko Cagituevei, said “If we cannot help ourselves then it would be impossible for others to help us. We are now preaching about changes Government is making on the need to monitor Government-funded development projects.”

He told chiefs and district representatives of Macuata in Vanua Levu that all Government ministries and agencies would be monitored and assessed on the implementation of all the objectives of the roadmap. “Development cannot take place, if we do not monitor operations. It is important that district meetings need to be frequently done where issues should be ironed out.We are here to make sure that Government funds are put to good use. We cannot continue to receive development materials from Government if we don't monitor projects and complete it accordingly."

The Public Service Commission has a new department which facilitates the implementation work for the Roadmap and the Strategic Framework for Change.  Full story.