Croz Walsh's Blog -- Fiji: The Way it Was, Is and Can Be

Weekend Readings

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:19:00 +0000

• CCF on State Proceedings Decree
• PM Stops Namosi Mining Exploration

•Allen Lockington Column

• Those Mysterious Tourist Deaths

• Bottled Venom:the Politics of Hate by Graham Davis.

CCF Says State Proceeding Decree Unwarranted, Drafted Without Due Process adn Discriminatory.

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:13:00 +0000

Media Release
10th February, 2012

Unwarranted State and Media Protection Decree Discriminates

The Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF) notes that to garner confidence in the current regime, it must desist from ruling by decrees especially if they are determined and drafted without any real due process involving the views of the people and more importantly if they discriminate against the citizens.

“It is of grave concern that the State Proceedings (Amendment) Decree 2012 grants unwarranted immunity to Cabinet Ministers and the media from any legal action in any adjudicating body for broadcasting or publishing any comments by them is unjust, as it unfairly favors, and provides the privilege of protection to select members of Fiji without any recourse for justice and accountability,” stresses CCF CEO Reverend Akuila Yabaki.

The new State Proceedings amendment decree states that the current group of unelected Ministers can openly say whatever they want against any individual or organization, whether it is defamatory or not, the public and those targeted through published comments are restricted from exercising their fundamental rights, to be treated equally before the law, fair and public hearing, right to remedy by a competent tribunal and the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty and interference by the State to practice these freedoms.
With this new decree, citizens would be vulnerable to personal attacks, and unwarranted allegations.
CCF strongly believes that the same rights and privileges should be granted to members of the public to allow free and open dialogue without any fear of being held liable. CCF further calls on the government to lift the Public Order (Amendment) Decree 2012 (“POAD”) to allow the said free and fair dialogue to take place.
At a time when nationwide consultations are expected on the constitutional and electoral reforms, the new decree casts a shadow of doubt on the Bainimarama government’s confidence to deal with opposing or deflecting views which are expected during the process.
The decree could be sighted as a means to protect one side while the other is left to the mercy of the media.
“The mainstream media must now ensure that the rights of citizens are not violated through broadcasting or publishing comments from Cabinet members that are protected by this decree and that ensure ethical journalism be practiced where both sides are permitted to air their views on issues or situations and not allow room to be manipulated through personally targeted statements or comments against individuals,” says Reverend Yabaki.

For further information please contact the communications team at CCF on communications@ccf.org.fj
……………………….
Reverend Akuila Yabaki
CEO - CCF

PM Halts Namosi Mine Exploration Work

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:53:00 +0000

COVER REPORT: Rumblings in the mountain :PM Bainimarama intervenes, halts exploration

Samisoni Pareti

Concerned about growing landowners’ agitation against the proposed billion-dollar copper and gold mine high up in the Namosi-Naitasiri mountains, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has ordered a halt to the miner’s exploration work.

Namosi Joint Venture (NJV)—a partnership of Australia’s largest miner Newcrest with two Japanese interests—will instead work on cleaning up the damage landowners allege its exploration work had done to their land.

Landowners, who have formed themselves into the Tikina Namosi Landowners Committee (TNLC), presented the Prime Minister and his team of officials over two meetings last month a photographic catalogue of the damage caused by NJV’s Special Prospecting Licence 1420.

The catalogue—a copy of which was obtained exclusively by Fiji Business magazine—showed water contamination and landslips around the Waisoi and Wainavadu regions.

Pictures captured discoloured chemicals seeping out of deep holes NJV engineers had drilled in their search for copper and gold deposits.

A photograph or two showed some attempts by NJV to plunge or bury these leakages.

Most of these drilling platforms, claims TNLC, are located close to Waisoi and Wainavadu Rivers.

These two waterways are the primary sources of the Waidina and Wainimala Rivers, both of which wind down east to form the larger and longer Rewa River that discharges on the Nausori coast.

From the province of Namosi, these waterways link up the neighbouring provinces of Naitasiri, Tailevu and Rewa.

While the two meetings between PM Bainimarama and TNLC representatives (NJV representatives were invited to the second meeting) were held behind closed doors in the cabinet conference room at the fourth floor of the New Wing of Government Building, Fiji Business was told the picture presentation changed the military commander’s mind.

“All parties agreed that NJV, in conjunction with government and in consultation with the landowners, will carry out any necessary rehabilitation emanating from the prospecting,” says a Ministry of Information statement.

“Following the rehabilitation, all parties will meet again to discuss the next steps,” the statement added.

Although comprising four sentences only, the Ministry of Information announcement was a huge victory for landowners of the TNLC, who had claimed frustration in dealings with government and NJV officials, and sought the intervention of the Prime Minister.

They accused public officials of buying the miner’s position, refusing to hear their pleas for land rehabilitation.

Officials, on the other hand, claimed that rehabilitation of land that had been explored was not covered under the terms of reference of the proposed mine that the Department of Environment had drawn up.

In addition, landowners over the last two years received $314,937 in compensation from NJV; $10,000 of this amount is being kept in trust by the iTaukei Land Trust Board, (formerly the NLTB), for landowners who have yet to open a bank account.

Since 2008, the miner had paid $2.9 million in total, government officials pointed out.

Prime Minister Bainimarama met with TNLC twice; the first one on January 27, a Friday, and the second one three days later, on January 31.

This magazine was told that while the pictorial presentation by TNLC was convincing, what helped the landowners’ case too was the PM’s military background.

He had detected that the landowners were resolute in their determination to fight their case, and if unresolved, the dispute could easily fester and blow up into a nasty confrontation.

At their first meeting, Bainimarama reportedly told the landowners he had visited Bougainville Island in Papua New Guinea—site of a civil war between landowners of Panguna Mine and the PNG army—and he would not allow what happened there to occur in Namosi or Naitasiri.

“The last thing I want to do is to send my troops in,” PM Bainimarama reportedly told TNLC members.

“I’ve heard you, and I am very mindful of the concerns you all have raised. If the mining company has breached the agreement with you, we will work together to resolve these breaches.”

The Prime Minister also told TNLC of his two main concerns; one was the roadblocks mounted by landowners to hinder NJV exploration works. The other was his suspicion that TNLC was being used by people or organisations with “political agendas.”

Bainimarama wanted the roadblocks to be cleared, saying such forms of political protest were the remnants of Fiji’s past that are best forgotten.

He also wanted Namosi and Naitasiri landowners to sever their links with such organisations, naming SEEP by name.

SEEP stands for Social Educational Empowerment Programme, an NGO that used to be a unit of ECREA—the Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education & Advocacy. He believes SEEP had ‘poisoned’ the minds of TNLC.

This was in apparent reference to the work SEEP had done with TNLC, conducting mine awareness workshop last year in villages in Namosi, Naitasiri, Tailevu and Rewa.

Bainimarama said SEEP has its own political agenda that TNLC should steer clear of, an assertion both SEEP and TNLC have denied.

At the end of their January 31 meeting, landowners were also advised against engaging with the news media.

For now, TNLC is happy that exploration work has been suspended.

Their representatives will now work with government officials to be led by Permanent Secretary for Lands Filimone Kau in overseeing land rehabilitation work, to be funded and implemented by NJV.

Whether this will take 3 to 6 months, it is unknown. All that the Ministry of Information stated was that at the end of the rehabilitation work, all parties would meet to “discuss the next steps.”

This would entail a decision on whether to resume with the proposed mine’s environmental impact assessment (EIA), a study which began in 2011 by Golder Associates of Australia and the University of the South Pacific’s Institute of Applied Science.

Part of the EIA included consultations with villages that would be impacted by the mine in all the four provinces.

This village consultation exercise has been suspended in light of the outcome of the second meeting between Bainimarama and representatives of TNLC and NJV.

It is through the EIA report that the Fiji Government would decide on whether or not a mine licence should be issued.

For now, TNLC is not budging from its position: that there should be no mining in Namosi and in the neighbouring district of Waidina in Naitasiri.

TNLC spokesperson Sipiriano Nariva told Fiji Business the lessons they have learnt from years of mine exploration were enough to convince them that mining is bad for them and their environment.

“We have reached a stage where we are so frustrated with NJV and its activities on our land and we have come to a decision…that we do not want our land to be mined,” TNLC said in a media statement released on 19 January.

“Our decision is based on our experience of over 40 years of exploration on our land and also taking into consideration the plight of our relatives in the provinces of Naitasiri, Tailevu and Rewa who will be affected by whatever decision we make today.”

This media statement summed up the landowners’ position; their opposition to mining stems from their wish to preserve their vanua (land) and in consideration of their traditional kinship and allies in Naitasiri, Tailevu and Rewa, most of whom rely on the Waidina, Wainimala and Rewa rivers for their livelihood.

Nariva could still recall a lyric of a song his folks used to sing, ‘tolu na bogi mai Namosi ki Nausori,’ or literally translated it speaks of “three nights of travel from Namosi to Nausori” using bamboo rafts on the Waidina, Wainimala and Rewa rivers.

This was during the banana export boom of the 1940s and the 1950s where his men and womenfolk would travel down the river in bamboo rafts laden with bananas.

Over the three nights of river travel, men and women of Namosi would find shelter in villages along the river.

Nariva said his generation believes it is now their turn to repay the kind gesture by maintaining the pristine and quality of water in Waisou and Wainavadu.

Another determinant in the landowners’ opposition to mine is through the strong influence of religion, of the Roman Catholic faith in particular.

Majority of these resource owners in Namosi and Naitasiri provinces are die-hard Catholics, and theirs is the strong belief that God appointed them custodians of the pristine environments of the proposed mine site at Waisoi, Korobasabasaga and Wainavadu.

God they fear will hold them accountable if they let NJV mine and destroy their forests and waterways, not to mention the very rich biodiversity the mountainous region holds.

“Lord! Punish those that destroy your creation,” screams a TNLC banner it unfolded before NJV and Fiji Government representatives at a public meeting in Namosi Village on December 14 last year.

Among the new banners they released on January 13 was one that said, ‘Mining isn’t sustainable, we need other sustainable developments.’

Even Prime Minister Bainimarama noted the words of another banner they had produced, ‘Pro Government, Anti Mining.’

Religion, traditional alliances and the concern for their natural heritage have combined to fuel the determination of TNLC to forego the lure of the huge money on offer by the mining conglomerate and to insist on its no mining position.

To add credence to this position, TNLC had organised ‘say no to mining’ petitions in all the four provinces.

A TNLC representative told this magazine more than 99% of the petitioners have voted no.

While TNLC is named after the Namosi district, membership also included landowners in the neighbouring district of Waidina which comes under Naitasiri Province.

Waidina is particularly concerned about NJV proposal to use Wainavadu which is part of Sovi Basin as the mine’s dump site, in the form of wastewater and rock storage.

NJV says its tailings dam will be as large as 1,000 rugby fields.

Adding additional buffer to the dam will be a waste rock storage, the size of which is equivalent to 375 rugby fields, says the company.

This plan doesn’t sit very well with the landowners of Wainavadu, the yavusa (clan) Naitavuni, comprising two Waidina villages of Delailasakau and Naseuvou.

Towering east of Wainavadu is the Mataicicia mountain range, site of the tragic crash of Air Fiji’s PC 121 flight from Nausori to Nadi on 24 July 1999 that claimed 17 lives.

The problem for Wainavadu is that the region has already been leased to the National Trust for Fiji as part of the Sovi Basin Nature Reserve, said to be Fiji’s most important biological and landscape heritage.

These 19,600 hectares of virtually virgin rainforest experts say is teeming with rare and endangered species of birds, fish, animals and plants and labelled by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as the “jewel in the crown” in Fiji’s protected area system.

“The distinctive bowl shape of [Sovi] Basin with its encircling volcanic peaks create a landform unique in both Fiji and in the island Pacific,” says the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites’ website.

“Its floor is composed of hard granite rock which has slowly eroded over time to form low rolling hills, drained by crystal clear rivers and streams. The entire landform is covered with undisturbed tropical lowland forest.

“The Sovi Basin is the largest, most diverse and most scenically outstanding of Fiji's natural forest.

“If it were to be protected, it would be the "jewel in the crown" of Fiji's protected areas system, functioning as the main storehouse of Fiji's land-based biodiversity.”

The Fiji Government had submitted Sovi Basin for listing as a World Heritage site on 22 October 1999.

Now, NJV proposes to use 5% to 20% of Sovi for a waste dump, in the form of a mammoth tailings dam plus a solid waste rock storage.

For its part, NJV is insisting that Wainivadu Valley is not part of Sovi Basin.

It really acts as a buffer to Sovi, the miner claims, although environmentalists dispute this.

For the landowners in Delailasakau and Naseuvou villages, whether Wainivadu is really the buffer zone to Sovi Basin or not is immaterial.

What matters, they say, is that since the National Trust for Fiji got the development lease from the then Native Land Trust Board in 2004/2005, they have been collecting lease monies amounting to around $35,000 a year. This is in addition to the $10,000 scholarship fund that is open each year to their children.

When that development lease expired in 2009/2010, National Trust, acting on behalf of international environmental NGO Conservation International, sought and obtained landowners’ consent for a 99-years lease of Sovi.

TLTB demanded a $110,000 bond, which was duly paid.

Just as the land board was processing the long-term lease, the Ministry of Lands intervened, landowners claimed, to ask that the lease of Sovi be withheld.

The ministry for its part explained it was merely following the law.

In Fiji, the Mineral Resources Act over-rides the Native Lands Act, and since NJV is now interested in locating its dump on Wainavadu, the Lands Ministry directed TLTB to halt all lease processing of Sovi Basin.

But the landowners are extremely unhappy. Asked why they prefer to offer the lease to National Trust for Fiji and Conservation International (CI), and not to NJV, spokesperson for Wainavadu landowners Tieri Ratini replied: “Baleta o CI e maroroya, o NJV e vakarusa (CI conserves our natural resources, while NJV destroys them)."

Ratini also claimed neither NJV nor the Ministry of Lands has approached them directly to explain or seek their consent on the leasing of Wainavadu.

They are also doubting NJV assertions that the tailing dam—which can be toxic when un-treated—and the waste rock storage will be located some 7 kilometres away from the nearest village of Delailasakau.

They fear that if located closer to the village, Delailasakau and neighbouring Naseuvou will have to relocate.

NJV, on the other hand, is adamant that relocation is not company policy.

SEEP for its part said while this could be so, eviction not relocation could still happen once NJV is given the licence to mine Waisoi.

For this story, Conservation International offered no comments.

Landowners of Wainavadu and Sovi Basin said however that the NGO had made it clear that it would go along with whatever the landowners are content with.

The mine conglomerate, on the other hand, had welcomed the PM’s involvement.

It said its desire to talk and resolve issues with the landowners have met with very little success.

“There is a lot of misleading information on the impacts of mining and I understand that this can be upsetting,” Melbourne-based NJV project director Ian Richie wrote in the mine’s December 2011 newsletter.

“It may apply to a very small percentage of the mining industry, in areas that are not properly managed by the government.

“However, for companies such as ours, we know that we will not be allowed to come to areas such as Namosi and Naitasiri, or PNG or Indonesia or similar countries where we currently operate, unless we adhere to the most stringent standards and that we work with the local communities to ensure that we help them to develop and to achieve their visions.”

For NJV, which is operated by Australia’s Newcrest on behalf of its two Japanese partners, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (28% holdings) and Nittetsu Mining Co Ltd (2% holdings), getting resource owners’ endorsement is crucial.

Wrote Richie: “We’re proposing a large mine but we do believe that we can do this in a way that is safe and that will minimize its impact.

“As large and international companies, the members of Namosi Joint Venture, Newcrest, Mitsubishi and Nittetsu, will not proceed with the mine if we do not believe it is safe, economic, and that the local people accept what we are proposing.”

The same company’s information brochure said NJV assisted over 170 students in Namosi and Naitasiri provinces through their educational scholarship fund.

This represented a total payout of $276,000 for 2011 alone.

“In 2012, NJV will be re-looking at its scholarship and sponsorship policy to ensure funds are used effectively and reaps the maximum benefit to recipients and the provinces,” says the NJV newsletter.

The miner said a further $54,000 was expended for community help and donations in 2011, which included Fiji’s national athletics team to the Pacific Games in New Caledonia and the purchase of jerseys for the Namosi provincial rugby team.

In their proposal, NJV says the copper and gold mine should have a life span of 25 years, where it plans to extract some 16 million tonnes of ore from two open pit mines in the Waisoi Valley in Namosi.

These west and east pits would be massive, the former expected to be as big as 180 rugby fields, whilst the east pit would be comparable to 100 rugby fields.

In terms of depth, these pits would be dug by heavy machines aided by dynamite blasts most probably, one kilometre down into the earth’s crust with a diameter of one a half kilometres.

By comparison, the depth of the pit at the controversial and now closed copper mine in Panguna, Bougainville was said to be half-a-kilometre deep.

With an annual rainfall of 4-and-a-half metres, Waisoi Mine, if it goes ahead will be the wettest copper mine in the world.

Some 80 to 90% of the value of mine will be copper, NJV says, the remainder being gold and molybdenum.

Each year, it will want to produce some 300,000 tonnes of copper concentrate that will be trucked down to Suva Port for exports.

That is about 40 container trucks leaving Waisoi daily.

A projected transport route has been drawn up to avoid congestion and possible accidents; laden trucks will travel to Suva on the northern route through Naitasiri’s Waidina district, down to Sawani and Princess Road in Tamavua.

Once unloaded of its cargo, these trucks will return to Namosi through the southern route using the Queen’s Highway.

NJV is considering using these empty container trucks to cart fuel up to the mine at Waisoi.

Infrastructure will be mind boggling, as a process plant will need to be built up at Waisoi, mine access and site roads constructed as well as camp, offices and living facilities.

Because of the large scale of its operations, NJV will build its own power plant as the FEA won’t be able to do so, and most probably build its own hydro power plant too.

NJV plans to operate in 700 square kilometres of largely mountainous terrain that straddles the border of both the Namosi and Naitasiri provinces.

Some 2000 jobs are expected to be available during the mine construction phase, and 1200 jobs if and when mining starts.

NJV estimates the set-up cost at Waisoi is around $1 billion, which experts say makes Vatukoula Gold Mine looks like a baby operation.

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

Weather forecast spot on

Last week at the height of the bad weather we got three predictions that it would rain again after 24 to 36 hours. They were spot on. Thank you to the Fiji Met office and Nadraki Fiji Limited managing director Neville Koop.

It is fortunate that we now have better weather forecasters. We will be better prepared. Or rather – we should be better prepared. I was travelling with a group of volunteers distributing rations to people affected by the floods when we spotted a convoy of four-wheel drives.

We were told that it was the president and government officials out and about checking homes and speaking to the people. They were also assessing damage. At one village it was a delight to see the president, after talking with village elders, call all the children round to have a photo with him.

Despite the flooding, he brought reassurance and there was laughter and smiles all around.

Those "Mysterious" Tourist Deaths

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:55:00 +0000

My thanks to Lesley for this well documented exposure of the NZ media on this one issue. Unfortunately, experience shows that their handling of other Fji issues is rarely any better. Four years ago I thought our media were fair and reasonably balanced. I now know better, and find myself questioning the reliability of most of their stories. Check out what the media reported

Lesley Opie mentioned you in a comment in Fiji Economic Forum.(Facebook)

Lesley Opie

11:47am Feb 9

Sorry this is such a long comment - but.....the very sad death of Tony Groom in Nadi last year is an example of how media has lost credibility.There was no thought as to how Tony Groom's family would feel about what was being said about him (or indeed the other families connected to the sad deaths in Fiji).

The main objective by journalists was to put a black mark upon Fiji so that tourists would not want to visit Fiji. Michael Field wrote the first story about Tony Groom and then at a later date put a spin in about all these "suspicious" tourist deaths in Fiji, that according to him, had been supressed in Fiji media, and in the end proved not to be suspicious after all.

TVNZ One News and the NZ Herald and 3 News picked up on the Fairfax Stuff stories by Michael Field - and then had to retract and correct stories (except Michael Field didn't really retract or correct). Then this speculative story went to Australian media and then all the way around the world and was of course on Coup 4.5. I remember Crosbie Walsh did do a blog post about this. The truth is what I want to read, not a "spin" or speculative journalism.

Reference was made to Coup 4.5 by NZ media - check out the links below that show the first story - then retractions and correction by SOME NZ media. Most of the links refer to C4.5 blog.

Maybe some in the NZ media post blog entries on C4.5 - or am I being speculative? Truth is what matters. Unfortunately the majority of the NZ public (and NZ Law Society president Jonathan Temm) believe what the media reports as the whole truth and nothing but the truth. These days you have question what media reports in EVERYTHING - not just what is written about Fiji.

Fairfax Stuff (Michael Field):
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/5340160/Fiji-media-censored-over-Kiwis-murder
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/5352223/Fiji-claim-natural-causes-in-Kiwis-death
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/5613801/Another-mysterious-foreigner-death-in-Fiji
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/5480462/Strange-death-in-the-Blue-Lagoon
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/5519202/Drink-link-to-death-of-woman-say-Fiji-police
TVNZ One News (Barbara Dreaver):
http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/fiji-military-accused-censoring-deaths-4326841
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/kiwi-s-death-not-result-beating-fiji-police-4329926
http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/series-mysterious-fiji-deaths-investigated-4399375
NZ Herald:(Anna Leask)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10741050
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10741365
3 News (NZ):
http://www.3news.co.nz/Fourth-dead-foreigner-found-in-Fiji/tabid/417/articleID/225605/Default.aspx
Sydney Morning Herald:
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-incidents/fiji-deaths-censored-to-avoid-scaring-tourists-20110727-1hzfp.html
Telegraph UK:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/fiji/8759123/Mystery-over-spate-of-tourist-deaths-on-military-controlled-Fiji.html
Coup4.5:
http://www.coupfourandahalf.com/2011/09/fiji-regime-hides-another-tourist-death.html

Bottled Venom: The Politics of Hate by Graham Davis

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:50:00 +0000

#54 THE POLITICS OF HATE

Graham Davis

– February 7, 2012Posted in: All

Not so veiled racism

Most countries have laws that prevent religious and racial vilification. Most responsible media outlets – including those on the internet – excise comments designed to inflame religious and racial hatred. But sadly not the most prominent of the websites set up to oppose the government of Fiji’s prime minister, Frank Bainimarama.
That site calls itself Coup Four and a Half – otherwise known as 4.5 – and is supposedly run by journalists. Its name denotes the four coups in Fiji’s post independence history -the two Rabuka coups in 1987, the Speight coup in 2000, the Bainimarama coup in 2006 plus what 4.5 regards as the half coup when Bainimarama’s takeover was declared illegal by the courts in 2009 and he abrogated the constitution altogether, sacked the judiciary and continued to govern by decree.
Now, Coup 4.5 is entitled to oppose the dictatorship, though many Fijians prefer it to the nationalist government Bainimarama overthrew. It’s also entitled to campaign for the restoration of democracy, though many Fijians are happy to accept the regime’s promise to hold elections in 2014. But there’s plenty wrong with 4.5 – unforgivably so – when it publishes the most vile attacks on people based on race and religious affiliation.

Grubsheet has taken the site to task before for publishing comments describing Indo-Fijians as “mongoose” or “mynahs” – the clear implication being that Fijians of Indian descent are imported pests. It regularly refers to the prime minister as “the Baini”, a disparaging play on words on the popular Hindi description of a person of low breeding or class. But now comes something far more grave, an all out attack on Fiji’s Muslims on one of the holiest days of the Islamic calendar – the birthday of the prophet Mohammed.
This wasn’t in the comments section of the site but in the main editorial column. And it deserves to be read in full, not only to appreciate the appalling nature of the attack itself but to appreciate why the Bainimarama regime is so determined to stamp out this kind of racial and religious intolerance in Fiji once and for all.
“Fiji is going through a false scenario of reforms and modernization to have a new Fiji. This was reiterated by the PM in his address during the November 2012 budget. Sadly it is bound to end up with civilization with darkness.
The truth is Muslims, through Aiyaz Sayed Kaiyum, is colonizing Fiji. They are deceiving the people of Fiji using nice phrases and words such as modernization, a new Fiji without corruption, transparency, fairness to justify their staying in power. Look at what has been happening:
Muslim riding hard on power (RFMF)
Rule by decree
Increase in the number of key positions in government being given to Muslims or those supporting Khaiyum
Weakening of Fijian institutions and culture and land ownership
Nepotism
Recruiting of non-Fijians, especially kaivalagis, to weaken Fijian’s capabilities
Wake up Fiji. Wake up to the radical changes in our beloved peaceful and friendly country. Regrettably, Banimarama will not do anything: only he knows why it is Yes sir, three bags full Sir!”

Hate figure - Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum (photo: Jet newspaper)

This grubby little offering isn’t just inflammatory but utterly false. Muslims constitute just 7 per cent of the population of Fiji – some 54,000 in a country of 860,000. They are hardly “colonizing Fiji”, as the anonymous author of this rubbish asserts. There is one Muslim cabinet minister – Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Kaiyum – and one Muslim officer – Brigadier General Mohammed Aziz – in the RFMF, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. These are hardly “Muslims riding hard to power”. In fact, they’re total exceptions in their own fields in a population utterly dominated by Christians and Hindus. So the notion that they pose any “threat” is risible.
There’s also a puzzling reference to the “recruitment of non-Fijians, especially kaivalagis, to weaken Fijian’s capabilities”. Kaivalagi is the indigenous term for a white man or European. On the latest figures available, a mere 0.4 per cent of Fiji’s population describes itself as European, under 3000 people in a population of 860,000. Perhaps the author was referring to the recruitment of American PR people or the odd expatriate lawyer. But this is clearly even more of a furphy than the claim about Muslims.
Simply put, Coup 4.5 – with this base offering – has become the local equivalent of a Nazi hate sheet. It’s designed to provoke and exploit the long-standing and deep-rooted fears of uneducated indigenous Fijians and turn them against Muslims in particular and Indo-Fijians in general. And it does that in the crudest way possible – to spread the lie that indigenous people are being marginalised in the land of their birth and robbed of their jobs and land.

Colonel Mohammed Aziz ( r) (photo: Fiji Times)

There is also the implicit message that Fijians could be forced to abandon Christianity and live under the diktat of an Islamic state. How? Because Coup 4.5 positioned this vile piece of misinformation right next to the text of a routine message from the Prime Minister to Fiji’s Muslims to mark Mohammed’s birthday. The contents of this were totally inoffensive – indeed, sentiments universally shared of unity and tolerance. Yet it’s hard to escape the conclusion that Bainimarama’s adoption of the Muslim customary greeting ” Peace be upon him” when referring to the Prophet, was being exploited to carry a deeper message of a leader dancing to the tune of both the Muslim religion and his Muslim right hand man, Khaiyum. Or as the “article” put it – “Yes, sir. Three bags full, sir!” Presumably no “no sir’ – as the nursery rhyme usually goes – because, in 4.5′s view, Bainimarama never says no to his attorney-general.
Who are these people? Well, they’re always anonymous but are said to be a group of Fiji journalists running their site out of Auckland, with contributions from members of the deposed SDL government, ex civil servants and a hard core of anti-regime “human rights” advocates. One thing is certain. As well as permitting overtly racist content on the site, they routinely censor any comments they don’t agree with – unbridled hypocrisy from a site that continually castigates the regime for its own censorship of the media.
The wonder is that some of 4.5′s content is written by respected journalists and academics who are Indo-Fijians to boot. There are contributions from the Oxford-based Victor Lal – arguably Fiji’s finest investigative journalist – and from the economist Professor Wadan Narsey, currently working in Japan after falling out with his superiors at the University of the South Pacific. Grubsheet recently asked Professor Narsey how he could possibly have anything to do with a website that carried overtly racist content. His response was that he’d been told by the “journalists” at 4.5 that it was preferable to allow people to “let off steam than have them bottle it up”
How any responsible person can accept such a notion is frankly beyond Grubsheet’s ken. This is bottled venom that would bring prosecution in New Zealand – the country from which Coup 4.5 supposedly operates – and, for that matter, in all of the bolt holes of the disaffected Fijian diaspora. Imagine the furor if any Muslim in Fiji had launched a similar attack on local Christians, and on Christmas Day? It’s inexcusable and unacceptable. No buts.

Details of Constitutional Processes at End of Month

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:19:00 +0000

FIJIAN PRIME MINISTER TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF CONSULTATION
Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who is currently touring flood affected areas in Fiji, will provide details regarding the timeframe and methodology of the country’s constitutional consultation process, as well as the composition of a Constitutional Commission, in the fourth week of February.

Recent flooding and the continuous weather situation have created obvious logistical complications which will amongst other things, prevent Fijians, in particular those affected by the inclement weather, from fully participating in the process.

However, the Prime Minister looks forward to the commencement of this important process once Fijians have recovered from the recent natural disaster. It should be noted that the Bainimarama Government is still ahead of the timelines that were identified in the Strategic Framework for Change in the lead up to the Parliamentary Elections.

The Bainimarama Government has selected CODE Inc. from Canada to carry out the electronic voter registration. CODE Inc. is expected in the country next month.

The Bainimarama Government has also welcomed an apolitical United Nations Needs Assessment Mission to assess the technical requirements for the Parliamentary elections. The Mission is also expected in the country next month.

-ENDS-

For more information on Government events and decisions log onto the official Government portal www.fiji.gov.fj

News and Comments Thursday 9 February 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:46:00 +0000

9.2.12 FLP also opposes new decree. Click here.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK. "Most of you commenting here [on Facebook] on our Native Fijian tradition and culture (and anything else on Fiji) should also know your place, you are vulagi's (visitors). We have been kind enough to allow you to leave (live) in Fiji with freedom even to the extend of giving you the vulagis the compulsory to learn Native Fijian as they do in most highly intellectual countries where speaking their the native language is compulsory."

THE STATE PROCEEDINGS AMENDMENT DECREE.The announcement of this decree seems to have raised more questions than answers. The anti-blogs, Pacific Freedom Forum and several readers of this blog see it as an infringement of media freedom and some Suva journalists are clearly not sure what to make of it. The Fiji Government says it will help open dialogue. Radio NZInternational, however, see it as "unbalancing the playing field before the elections." They cite a Dr Mark Hayes — who they describe as a "veteran journalism educator in the Pacific" and as a "Pacific media scholar" — as saying it could be used "to flush out potential political opponents."

I disputed RNZI's description of Dr Hayes's credentials because they give his comments more credibility than I think they deserve. I have also written to RNZI suggesting they check the credentials of those they interview and that they seek fresh, informed views on Fiji from both sides of the political divide.

Several readers have attacked me (see comments) for attacking the man and not his argument. This was certainly not my intention. I deliberately did not dispute Dr Hayes's argument because this was not the issue with which I was most concerned, viz, RNZI's enhancement of his views by crediting him with inaccurate credentials.

My other reason for not commenting on his and other people's views on the decree was because I do not fully understand its possible use or misuse, or how it differs from similar legislation in Commonwealth countries. I will comment when I receive legal advice.

Meanwhile, it is heartening, unnoticed by the anti-bloggers, that the online Fiji media have published contrary views on the issue:

http://www.fijisun.com.fj/2012/02/09/media-protected/
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=192908
http://www.fijilive.com/news/2012/02/08/39938.Fijilive LISA WILLIAMS
http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=090212afc499513f7f28137ab4e10c

QARASE, BAKANI AND DAUKUIDREKETI'S CASES CONSOLIDATED. The Suva High Court has consolidated two cases involving http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=43499 the three who are accused of defrauding the Native Land Trust Board. The case has been adjourned to March 8th .

DR MERE SAMISONI'S appeal for a bail variation so that she may travel overseas has been adjourned until February 15th. Her lawyer Samanunu Vaniqi said "she will not flee the country as all her business and assets are here." State representative Helen Whippy did not object to the relaxation of the curfew but needed seven days to file for an affidavit.

ETHNIC TENSIONS DID NOT PRODUCE THE COUPS. I would agree with Rajend Naidu. Most itaukei and Indo-Fijians got along fine. Rajend argues that bad leadership caused the coups.

Yes and no, depending on what is meant by "bad." I would argue that the race card played by politicians was the main cause. Too many Itaukei were convinced by their "bad" leaders than the Indians wanted to take over Fiji. So it was not race as such but the use of race to retain political power that was the root cause.

THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO COUNTER AN ARGUMENT. "Looks like you're are one of the few that has gained from the regime or their largesse contract or appointment, maybe family member appointed, probably you should just say that," says regular commentator Sara'ssista who disagreed with the other commentator's interpretation of events, I did not publish her comment. Neither would I publish a comment that Saras'sista is only against the Bainimarama government because her family have missed out on the perks they enjoyed under Qarase. Many, but not all, people with opposing views are honest and wish Fiji well, with no personal benefit to them or their families.

Decree Restores Equivalent of Parlimentary Privilege

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:01:00 +0000

Subject: Media Release: Government Restores Level Playing Field and Protects Media Outlets

The President has approved the State Proceedings (Amendment) Decree 2012, which provides that no media organization can be held liable for publication of statements, whether verbal or written, made by the Prime Minister or any Minister of Government, whether in their official or personal capacity. The Decree is consistent with the Parliamentary privilege as was applicable in Fiji and which is applicable in countries throughout the Commonwealth; however, it goes further by protecting media organizations.

The law is intended to facilitate open and frank discussion between Government, the public and other stakeholders in the lead up to Fiji's Parliamentary elections. The Decree will expire upon the date when a new Parliament is convened which will have its usual privileges for statements made by Parliamentarians.

Source: Ministry of Information. (My emphasis).

UN Assessment Team for 2014 Elections

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:26:00 +0000

Republic of Fiji Welcomes UN Needs Assessment Mission for Upcoming Elections

The Fijian Government today accepted an offer from the United Nations to send a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) to Fiji ahead of the planned Parliamentary elections.

Fijian Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum stipulated that the composition of the mission must be politically neutral and unbiased with regard to Fiji, so it can provide an objective technical needs assessment for Fiji to conduct free and fair elections.

The NAM, which will be conducted by the Electoral Assistance Division of the UN Secretariat in New York, is slated to take place in early March. It will provide technical assessment of Fiji’s needs, such as ballot boxes, staffing and logistical preparation, among other considerations.

The move follows the Fijian Government’s recent selection of the Canadian firm CODE Inc. as Fiji’s vendor for electronic voter registration (EVR).

Fiji continues to follow the recommendations of the European Union's report on Fiji’s 2006 elections, which cited irregularities with voter registration and voting practices, such as 101% voter turnout in one constituency, and the disenfranchisement of certain voter groups.

Fiji has sent out invitations to the international community to participate in the EVR process by way of financial assistance; however, so far no countries or multi-lateral agencies have opted to participate.

-ENDS-

PM’s on Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday and Coup4.5 on Muslims

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:51:00 +0000

Read the PM's address by clicking the heading above and then run your eye over this incredible posting by Coup 4.5. Where do these people get such cranky ideas? If they are still playing the race-religion card against Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, they should get a more educated person to write their script. I suggest you read each phrase carefully. I've added some comments in square brackets.

"Fiji is going through a false scenario of reforms and modernization to have a new Fiji. This was reiterated by the PM in his address during the November 2012 budget. Sadly it is bound to end up with civilization with darkness.[Uh?]

"The truth is Muslims, through Aiyaz Sayed Kaiyum, is colonizing Fiji. They are deceiving the people of Fiji using nice phrases and words such as modernization, a new Fiji without corruption, transparency, fairness to justify their staying in power. [Are these not desirable concepts?] Look at what has been happening:

Muslim riding hard on power (RFMF) [There is one senior Muslim officer in the military that is 99% itaukei]
Rule by decree [What has this got to do with Muslims?]
Increase in the number of key positions in government being given to Muslims or those supporting Khaiyum [Name those in key positions. I can't think of any. Do "those supporting Khaiyum" include itaukei?]
Weakening of Fijian institutions and culture and land ownership [Great Council of Chiefs, possibly. But nothing else, and what has this to do with Muslims?]
Nepotism [It was there before 2006. How is nepotism linked to Muslim influence? I can think of only two possible examples but it could be the people were the best for the job.]
Recruiting of non-Fijians, especially kaivalagis, to weaken Fijian's capabilities. [Ah! So it's the Europeans and not the Muslims? And how are they weakening itaukei "capabilities" whatever that means?]

"Wake up Fiji. Wake up to the radical changes in our beloved peaceful and friendly country. Regrettably, Banimarama will not do anything: only he knows why it is Yes sir, three bags full Sir!"

Internal Discussions on the Constitution Must Start Now

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:02:00 +0000

Constitutional Awareness meetings have already commenced with meetings in the Suva-Nausori Corridor. The purpose of these village and settlement meetings seems to be to talk about what a constitution is, how important it is, and the process for creating a constitution. This CCF release concerns the promised "dialogue" that is due to start soon, probably towards the end of the month or early next. I hope overseas politicians and media will keep closely tuned to the process as it unfolds.

Media Release Citizens Constitutional Forum

Now that CONSTITUTIONAL Awareness has begun CCF urges everyone to start preparing for the consultations in as far determining what they believe would be the most participatory process and also ideas around the content.

Prospective political parties, aspiring political leaders, and all citizens should start preparing themselves for the Constitution talks so that they can make effective contribution to the discussions.
The inclusiveness of the process, the nature of the consultation, timelines, Roles of bodies like the Constitutional Development Committee, type of government, Bill of Rights, Codes of Conduct for Constitutional appointed bodies, citizenship and the electoral reform reflected in the document are only some of the issues that should be discussed in preparation for the consultations.
The Constitution is such a critical document for Fiji now that all citizens must have these discussions internally before the State determined Consultations kicks off. Preliminary principles for later submissions must be determined now.

On January 12th, Citizens’ Constitutional Forum CEO Reverend Akuila Yabaki wrote to the Prime welcoming the announcement made in his New Year message that the Constitutional consultation process begins in February 2012 and not September as earlier announced.

“In our letter to the PM, we have stressed that the authority of a constitution must be accepted and come in one way or another from the people and the legitimacy of the process lends itself to the people, diverse as they maybe in views, visions and opinions.”

“We, as an organization, have commenced intensive internal discussions on the processes of constitution making and are exploring the values and principles which we believe must be enshrined in the constitution to ensure sustainable democracy in Fiji and all citizens must be encouraged to do the same.”

CCF urges government to get the ball rolling to ensure the momentum is maintained following the two public events hosted by CCF recently on constitution making and the processes which has increased the interest from stakeholders to get involved in the process” says Reverend Yabaki.

CCF is firmly of the view that the constitutional process be one that builds on the diversity of the participants; constructive dialogue and the sharing of knowledge with a view to change-oriented decision making.

“Consultation unfortunately usually occurs in one direction. One-way communication: one party presents, and the other receives and there is little or no interaction between the participants. Dialogue approach currently practiced and in which government, civil society, business sectors, women and youth are involved as participants is recommended as the norm in the promised constitutional process” stresses Rev Yabaki.

CCF has also recommended that as a prerequisite to the consultation process, it would be prudent if all parties have a forum to indicate their issues that are non-negotiable, including that from the current government.

We reiterate that under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Information” and the current government must be prepared to shoulder the diverse opinions some of which will be negative and critical and allow the groups to assemble end talk freely without fear of being reprimanded.

For further information please contact the communications team at CCF on communications@ccf.org.fj
……………………….
Reverend Akuila Yabaki

Temm: Go, See For Yourself

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

The standoff, if it can be called that, between Jonathan Temm of the NZ Law Society and the Fiji judiciary raises a number of important issues. Temm claims the Fiji judiciary is not independent of political interference and judicial procedures and decisions are therefore tainted.

This position has some credence because there have certainly been instances when the Fiji government has brought cases before the Courts on tenuous grounds, where it arguably sought delays in proceedings and where it tried to influence court outcomes.

But —and this is a very important but— in all cases it failed. The Courts dismissed the tenous claims; admonished prosecutors for being unprepared and delaying proceedings, and there was no influence on the Court decisions, several going against the Bainimarama Government.

Most court cases in Fiji are non-political. Lawyers, magistrates and judges are mostly needed for civil cases. Without them, innocent people will be deprived of justice, and the guilty will go free.

The most recent "standoff" is between the Fiji Director of Public Prosecutions, New Zealander Christopher Pryde, and the NZLS which will not allow advertising in its magazine for legal jobs in Fiji. The issues involved in this refusal are noted in the DPP press release below. My main concern is that Jonathan Timm has repeatedly refused the invitation to visit Fiji to "see for himself." This is an offer that is still open.

It speaks poorly for a trained lawyer that he refuses to examine all of the evidence but prefers instead to abide with his prior perceptions. If this is so, one may fear for justice when those of different ethnicities, cultures or class call upon his services in New Zealand. Why does he not go to Fiji to see for himself? How many more invitations are needed?

See also Whaleoil's blog for his take on this issue.

PRESS RELEASE

New Zealand Law Society Censors Fijian Director of Public Prosecutions

The New Zealand Law Society (“NZLS”) has refused to allow the Fijian Director of Public Prosecutions (“DPP”) to advertise legal positions in its magazine, Law Talk.

An email to the Office of the DPP this morning (3.2.12), said “The New Zealand Law Society Board has decided unanimously that the NZLS will not accept advertisements for legal positions in Fiji under the current interim military regime”.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Christopher Pryde, said it was unfortunate that the NZLS was involving itself in politics and preventing New Zealand lawyers from hearing about job vacancies in Fiji.

“It is unfortunate that New Zealand lawyers are being denied the opportunity to decide for themselves whether they wish to take up legal positions in Fiji. By refusing to allow us the right to advertise, the NZLS is effectively censoring what New Zealand lawyers know about Fiji.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in an independent office and the Director of Public Prosecutions has the sole responsibility for criminal prosecutions in Fiji. This is without recourse to any Government minister, including the Attorney-General. The Office in that regard is non-political. People charged with offences by the Police need to be prosecuted through the courts. What shall we do with people charged with rape or robbery or murder? Send them to New Zealand?” he said.

Mr Pryde said he remains concerned that the NZLS continue to have an inaccurate picture of the Fijian situation, in particular of the judiciary and the courts.

“My invitation to the NZLS still stands. They are welcome to visit Fiji and meet and talk to anyone without restriction so that they can obtain for themselves a first-hand appraisal of things in Fiji. In the meantime, we would appreciate the NZLS allowing lawyers to decide things for themselves and allow us the right to advertise” he said.

---END---

3 February 2011

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is an independent office established under section 20 of the State Services Decree 2010. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is motivated by the principle that it is in the interests of justice that the guilty be brought to justice and the innocent are not wrongly convicted.

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

The Plot Thickens

Scrap metal in rivers, creeks unused lots, abandoned cars and ships, road signs, inspection chamber lids, drain grating, steel drive way plates, telephone cables and many more have been taken to be sold for a gain.

I was visiting friends at a place in Drasa-Vitogo Lautoka and noticed a chap at his home checking his solar hot water panels, which were on the ground. Apparently at around 3 am he heard noises coming from the roof and went to check and saw someone on the roof.

The person managed to get away. The resident found his solar panels in the front yard.

Like the story of Alice in Wonderland goes: “Curiouser and curiouser!” Cried Alice.

Or like an older timer said, “The plot thickens.”

All the World's Religions Agree on the Dignity of Work

noreply@blogger.com (Croz Walsh) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:55:00 +0000

AN INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT NEW BOOK

A short review by Fr Kevin J. Barr

A book born out of a collaborative dialogue of the ILO with the World Council of Churches, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation as well as other organisations representing Judaism and Buddhism.

There are common threads running through all of these religious traditions on such issues as human dignity, solidarity and above all on the connection between work, social justice and the search for peace.

Only a few weeks ago a very interesting and important book was published by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva. It was called Convergences: Decent Work and Social Justice in Religious Traditions – a Handbook.

The book is written against the background of globalisation and the current worldwide economic crisis. It states that, over the past few decades the world has experienced an upheaval from the process called globalisation from which some have benefitted but too many have not. Currently there is a backlash and, particularly following the recent financial crisis, more and more people are feeling angry, frustrated and left out. Human dignity seems to count for little. Moreover it appears that globalisation lacks an ethical foundation.

The ILO’s constitution states: “universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice”. It acknowledges that peace is not simply a matter of preventing war but rather a matter of preserving human dignity and fighting against poverty and inequality in society. As the Director General of ILO, Juan Somavia, says in his Foreword to the book:

“The ILO was born out of real life struggles for equity centred on the workplace as the heartbeat of the economy and society. In work, issues of human dignity, the welfare and stability of families, communities and societies mesh with the productive system.”

The downside of globalisation is commonly experienced in the world of work - through poor wages and working conditions, unemployment, underemployment, child labour, sweat factories, little social protection and restrictions placed on workers unions. There is a need to promote decent work and to bring human values to bear on labour policies. Spirituality and values are essential in the quest for making globalisation more fair and more just.

The book is born out of a collaborative dialogue of the ILO with the World Council of Churches, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation as well as other organisations representing Judaism and Buddhism. The handbook shows that in the different religious traditions there is a great convergence of values on the subject of work. There are common threads running through all of these religious traditions on such issues as human dignity, solidarity and above all on the connection between work, social justice and the search for peace.

Each section of the book looks at what the various religious traditions have to say about issues such as the meaning of work, human dignity, solidarity and security, social justice, decent work, social protection, social dialogue, rights of workers (including the right to form unions and to collective bargaining), child labour, and discrimination in the workplace. Documents and teachings from the great religious traditions are quoted which show that there is a great consensus (or convergence) on all these important issues affecting labour.

The book is very timely and should be in the hands of government ministers and officials, employer’s and worker’s representatives as well as heads of religious organisations.

While governments have often had a close and cosy relationship with investors and the business sector because they consider them the “engine” of economic growth, it seems that many have forgotten that the workers of the nation represent the “heartbeat” of the economy and the nation. Without a proper recognition of the place and the rights of workers and a determined search for social justice there will be no lasting peace. We all need to remember the slogan: “universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice”. The economic system behind globalisation needs to be based on a strong ethical foundation.

The text of the handbook is readily available on the ILO Website: www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/pardev/civil/convergences.htm