Croz Walsh's Blog -- New Zealand and Fiji: How Much Fairer They Could Be

PHOTO OF SICK DOG REMOVED. I AGREE IT IS TOO DISTURBING. N0028. SAINT FRANCIS WOULD NOT LIKE THIS.  I'm unsure whether the shortage of veterinarians in the West  is due in any way to Fiji's political situation or its poor relations with Australia and the UK, but a concerned reader says there are now no trained vets and a severe shortage of drugs for small animals in the West Division than includes the provinces of Ba, Ra, and Nadroga and Navosa.  In the past, assistance came from UK and Australian visiting Vets to the SPCA West - which is served exclusively by voluntary help. All local vets left long ago.

Large animals fare a little better though assistance from the Dept of Agriculture in Lautoka but again the service is haphazard due to shortage of trained staff. Any developments in Tropical Agriculture and Animal husbandry require full and reliable veterinary services 24/7 365 days of the year. 

The reader says "the SPCA in the West would welcome a visit from diplomats …

PIGS WITH TUSKS. Newly elected Vanuatu PM, Sato Kilman,  left for Honiara earlier today for the meeting of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. He was  accompanied by Foreign Minister, Georges Wells, the chairman of national Council of Chiefs, Gratien Alget, and six paramount chiefs representing six provincial governments. Chief Alget and the six custom chiefs will perform a custom ceremony tomorrow to reconcile Vanuatu with Fiji, donating pigs with tusks, mats, kava and food. The  meeting should see Vanuatu hand over the MSG chairmanship to Solomon Islands for it to pass it to Fiji. Photo: a custom chief. skardu.net.

MCGANN AGAIN. There seems to be some confusion about the US Ambassador's recent location and his present status in Fiji.  The Fiji media reported that he had be called in to see Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola but a reader said he was already in Washington.  Then we had a statement from the Ambassador (presumable from Washington) saying that he was updating people th…

THE PACIFIC MEDIA CENTRE has a new website. http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/ Check it out.

THE US VISA REFUSALS. The US Suva Embassy has clarified this issue.  The visas were not exactly refused; they needed a longer application time. The Embassy said names of key supporters of the coup are  on the Department of State visa watch list, and those on the list have to be cleared by Washington, a process that could take three weeks. There can be no complaint about this. It is the right of all sovereign nations to determine who is allowed to enter — or stay — in their country.  One might have hoped for a better outcome, given Hillary Clinton's promising overtures, but it was not to be.

Some readers have misunderstood my position. I was disappointment with the "decision" but my main concern was the effective denial of access to the United Nations.  The Embassy also addressed this question, saying that "while the US takes seriously its obligations under the UN Charter to facilitat…

CALL FOR UN TO GET INVOLVED. Great, I thought.  RadioNZI has at last published something other than its usual  condemnation of Fiji. The email alert read: "Call for United Nations to get involved in liaising with Pacific neighbours. A New Zealand businessman with extensive interests in Fiji is calling for the United Nations to be brought in to help resolve the strained relations between ..."

So I clicked their website to read the rest of the story and this is what I got: "Error!Invalid Story ID<\p>. News Content © Radio New Zealand International ." We are left wondering why. 

SAD, VERY SAD.  Hillary Clinton's recent visit to Australia and New Zealand, — and her comments on a fresh engagement with Fiji — led optimists to think the US would take a lead in finding more appropriate policies on Fiji  than the failed policies of Australia and New Zealand that in four years have produced no positive results.  But now, with the US failure to issue three visas to F…

by Crosbie Walsh and Others
A Book of Verses underneath the Bough, A Jug of Wine Fiji Water, a Loaf of Bread--and Thou dear Lynda Rae Beside me singing in the Wilderness-- Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!"
-- Rubaiyat of Omar KhayyamAiyaz Khaiyum Stewart Resnick 

"  More than half of the drinkers of Fiji Water in the USA think it comes from Mount Fujiin Japan."

HILLARY CLINTON AND FIJI. People on both sides of the political divide claim Hillary Clinton said what they wanted her to say. The anti- people cited her assurance that the US will work with Australia to return Fiji to democracy, saying she wanted immediate elections.  The pro- people said she talked of the importance of  involving more civilians in Government knowing, as she must, that this is unlikely while Australia and NZ maintain travel bans on Government people. What both sides must know — but which neither side has said —  is that Hillary Clinton will not be telling the press what is really going on, and she most certainly would not criticize Australian and NZ policies in public. That is not what allies do. It is what goes on behind the scene that counts, and we won't know this for a while — unless, of course, CoupFourPointFive has a spare "reliable source" hidden deep in the White House.
In an article headed "Fiji Stand a Threat to [Australia&#…

WEEKEND READING. ♦ The Allen Lockington column ♦ Islands Business October Cover Story: Sugar ♦ Mosmi Bhim on Grassroots Citizenry, the Media and Democracy ♦ Engaging with Fiji by Sanjay Ramesh.

ALL PART OF THE ROADMAP: RAKIRAKI A NEW TOURIST DESTINATION? Recently gazetted a town, Rakiraki in Viti Levu's Northeast, aims at becoming a tourist destination, according to Town Council interim administrator, Ms Seini Vunivutu-Raiko. And it could well be when improvements to Kings Road are completed.  Rakiraki is about half way between Nadi and Suva on Kings Road, and a convenient stopover spot for a round-the-island tour or for visits to the nearby island of Nananu-i-Ra and other homely tourist resorts. The  town is the site of Fiji's smallest sugar mill, Penang.

Ms Vunivutu-Raiko says roads in the town will be improved next year at a cost of $100,000 and a special zone for tourism is being created on the town fringes. Consultations between the town, the Penang Mill and the Ra Chambe…

THE WAY FORWARD: COMMENT OF THE WEEK. Seize The Moment has left a new comment on your post "Brij Lal's Book on Jai Ram Reddy":

"Transition, you are absolutely right and the wonder is that the regime isn't moving faster on at least some of these fronts, even to give an appearance of progress. Little of what you suggest (see below)  is difficult.

"Even a little window dressing like formally calling for submissions for a national body to prepare for 2014 would give the regime something to show the international community.

"I know that elements within the regime are pressing for the lifting of the PER but this is being resisted at senior level. Why? They're waiting to see how the Fiji Times evolves under its new ownership and are still concerned about the general level of mischief making, like the rumours of Drita and Mara confronting the PM.

"The regime has been trying very hard to get more civilians to take up official roles. I know several pe…

MINING: LANDOWNERS TO BENEFIT. Minister for Land and Mineral Resources Netani Sukanaivalu said the  Mining Act will be reviewed to rectify loopholes and ensure that landowners can have a fair share of money derived from mineral resources, which has not been the case in the past.

Sukanaivalu says government is committed to ensuring the best returns to landowners, and is now paying compensation for any damage done to lands being explored. It is also paying for royalties and landowners are given the first employment opportunity for any mining work or exploration done on their land.

FIJI HOLDINGS LIMITED was established in 1984 as a response by chiefs and people to accelerate i-Taukei participation in the economy.  Shareholders include provincial councils, the Native Land Trust Board, the i-Taukei Affairs Board, tikina (district) and village groups, i-Taukei co-operatives, individual i-Taukei and family companies. FHL today is a successful and profitable enterprise which has become a majo…

NOTICES.  1) Reminder: Anonymous comments will not be published. 2) Fiji Daylight Savings started yesterday. 3) Check out the Weekend Readings and comments. 4) Tomorrow posting: Driti on leave?


JAPAN READY TO ASSIST. Japan's willingness to assist with the electoral and other reforms could herald a major improvement in its recognition of the ongoing developments that will lead to elections in 2014. The offer was made by Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara during discussions with his counterpart Ratu Inoke Kubuabola last week.

Mr Maehara emphasised the importance of the election date and urged Fiji to try to engage the international community in its reform process. Other bilateral relations issued discussed were Japanese Official Development  Assistance (ODA), trade and investment relations, and the possibility of Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Funds being managed through the Japanese Embassy in Suva. Japan will discuss this possible arraangement with the Pacific Islands Fo…

OBAMA CONGRATULATES FIJI on 40 years of Independence.  Click here.

MASSIVE LOAN MUST BE REPAID; EVEN BIGGER LOAN SOUGHT. International Monetary Fund (IMF) resident representative Yongzheng Yang confirmed yesterday  that Government has by September next year to repay the US$150m (F$300m) plus 7% interest (F$21m) on the loan  taken out in September 2006 by the Qarase-led government. Government is reported to be seeking a standby arrangement with the IMF for F$1billion to support Fiji’s reforms and debt obligations. “The repayment of the bond loan increases Fiji’s financing needs next year and this is one consideration behind Government’s request for a standby arrangement (SBA) with the IMF,” Mr Yang said. “The IMF would factor in this financing need should an SBA eventuate.”

WHAT SEALED NETANI'S FATE.  "Elementary, my dear Rika" left this comment on your post "Chaudhry Breaks PER: So What? Rika a Goner...

"One statement above all explains Netani Rika's untenab…

WEEKEND READING. Allen Lockington's column, Between Blogs and a Hard Place, The Rich-Poor Gap, Kava and US Cafe Culture, "The End of Press Freedom in Fiji": When a Paper Becomes a Blog, numerous comments and today's posting.

US WANTS DIALOGUE. During a 75 minute meeting on Wednesday US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told senior Pacific Islands' Leaders that the US was committed to working closely with Fiji and the Pacific Islands. She also paid tribute to the commitment to global security by Tonga in the Solomon Islands, Fiji in Iraq and Sinai, and Vanuatu in Timor Leste. Assistant Secretary of State Asia-Pacific Kurt Campbell, who had attended the Vanuatu post-Forum dialogue in early August, told the meeting that the dialogue going forward was based on the profound recognition of Fiji's central role in Pacific matters.

In turn, Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke  Kubuabola had explained to Clinton Fiji's Strategic Framework for Change, welcomed the reopening…

Commonwealth Gibberish
Opinion
Crosbie Walsh
I don't really know why the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group¹ needed to meet in New York to discuss Fiji over the weekend. It said little and achieved nothing. The CMAG expressed its concern about the "lack of progress made toward the restoration of civilian constitutional democracy in Fiji[and hoped Fiji would take]the necessary steps to enable the restoration of its full participation in the Commonwealth as soon as possible."

Photo: See footnote 3, below.

But Fiji has made it abundantly clear -- for over a year now -- that elections would not be held until 2014, and it has given its reasons. The most that can be hoped for is the lifting of the Public Emergency Regulations, increased civilian involvement in government and more dialogue, with political dialogue starting before 2012. Why didn't CMAG push for this approach?

The CMAG "reaffirmed their solidarity with the people of Fiji." They said they were ready …

MORE ANONY-MOUSES. Thoughtful comments of all political persuasions are welcome on this blog unlike almost all the anti-government blogs that talk but do not practise free speech. However, despite constant reminders and appeals, some people still refuse to add their real or pseudo-name to comments. If you are one of these people and wonder why your comment has not been published, the reason is that from now on only "very good" interesting anonymous comments will be published. All other anonynous comments will be rejected. Just click the Name/URL button and write your "name."  It's as easy as that and totally confidential.
REEVES MEETS BAINIMARAMA. The Commonwealth's Special Envoy, Sir Paul Reeves, is currently in Fiji to have further meetings and met with the PM yesterday. No further information is presently available. Photo: Sir Paul (centre) at the PIPSA Conference in Auckland earlier this year. Sitiveni Ratuva, far left.

MCCULLY MET KUBUABOLA in Suva on …

REGISTRATIONS RAISE SOME QUESTIONS
Government needs to spell out the positives and  provide  assurances on the negatives.
Fiji seems to be having a bout of registration mania with everything except stray dogs now requiring registration. The need to register higher education institutions is obvious. It is surprising it was not always a requirement and yet only nine of the nation's 75 institutions are so far registered.

The Telephone Service Decree also makes sense requiring telephone and mobile phone users to register, and for this the deadline runs out next Sunday. But the details required raises concern, and could easily be abused by the authorities. Those registering are required to provide their name,date of birth, permanent home address (or address in Fiji if visiting), photo identification and parent or guardian's signature if the customer is below 18 years of age.But now we hear that the government wants those with driver's licences and bank accounts for similar inform…

American postgraduate student Kelly Schumann spent six weeks in July-August in Fiji doing volunteer work and asking just about everybody she met what they thought of the political situation.

She lived much of her time with a family in Lautoka, had a week at Litivia village, rafted on the Upper Navua, mountain biked in the Nausori Highlands, and spent a short time in Suva where, quite by accident, she met Bainimarama. In all, she visited three islands, two rural villages, two cities and a number of small towns. Most of the people she spent time with were ethnic Fijians.

Her report  "Fiji in the Summer of 2009: Impressions of Society and the Post-Coup Regime" is an honest, in parts insightful, and in some ways a curious document. It is curious because it comprises two accounts that do not quite match. The first account is based on what she actually experienced and heard in Fiji, most of it positive; the second  is based on what she read and viewed after she left, all of it neg…

The Coupfourpointfive blog heading reads "US Report Says No Religious Freedom in Fiji" but the US report (and indeed the blog text) pointed to a decline in religious freedom in Fiji, not its demise. The International Religious Freedom Report 2009 by the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor released on October 26 attributed the decline to the Police flirtation with the New Methodists and their Christian Crusades which, we earnestly hope, is now over. 

These matters need to be brought to our attention but the blog should not dramatize the situation with a misleading heading and it should not leave readers unaware the situation has recently improved.  The so-called Christian Crusades -- and, as far as I know, the inclusion of New Methodist  sermons at the compulsory weekly police parades -- have been abandoned.

It does, however, speak poorly of a regime that claims to seek a break from the bigotry of the past that they ever took place.

No to Fiji, Yes to Burma
Gordon Campbell in the NZ independent online paper Scoop writes: "The New Zealand foreign policy stance – a tiger towards Fiji, a pussycat towards the far worse regime in Rangoon- is taking its cues from the US, and from ASEAN. Same as it ever has. Funny how a government that makes such a fetish about the need for consistency in economic policy, should be so happily inconsistent when it comes to its foreign policy.” [Photo credit: Murray Fagg, Fungus on dung.]


Opinion: COZYING UP TO THE REGIME IN BURMA Click here for Scoop or for Pacific Media Watch.

See Comments on this post by clicking "comment" at the end.

Outgoing Acting US Ambassador to NZ Dr Dave Keegan was interviewed by NZTV1's Mark Sainsbury on Sunday. He had this to say about Australian, NZ, the US and the Fiji "situation."

Keegan: The role of the US in the Pacific I think is longstanding, you know out of Hawaii which is our Pacific state, out of American territories, Guam, American Samoa, and others, but we're also not going to step in and try to recreate the kind of expertise that Australia and New Zealand bring to the table. You have a degree of knowledge and a degree of understanding of how to make things work there that we want to take advantage of and be the beneficiary of, and figure out how we can add value.

Sainsbury: But the US congressman for American Samoa Faleomavaega, now he says that - he has criticized New Zealand and Australia's attitude to the Pacific, and said America should be looking at - in terms of Fiji - that we'…

Political News

The Ethnic Fijian Teachers Association, whose leaders have on several previous occasions taken an anti-government stance, has been criticized by Ministry of Education Filipe Bole for encouraging the recruitment of teachers for Australian schools, and warned disciplinary action will be taken if the recruitment includes serving teachers, whose loss would adversely affect education in Fiji and Government plans for education improvements. The Minister reminded the Union that FTA members are first and foremost civil servants, and that Government has invested heavily in their training. There are no objections to the recruitment of retired teachers. The Minister saw the Union's actions as anti-government. -- Based on Fiji Live.

US Ambassador Steven McGann (photo) has advised 30 new Peace Corps volunteers not to meddle in Fiji's political affairs, citing Pres. Barrack Obama's statement that no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any othe…