Coupfourpointfive

Fiji Sugar Corporation hires territorial army officers for mills

2013-05-21T23:54:00.002+12:00

The Fiji Sugar Coporation has turned to Homelink Security Services for security at its four sugar mills, ahead of the 2013 crushing season.

Homelink was previously only present at the Lautoka mill but

Sugar lorries leaving Labasa

was to take over security services at the Penang, Rarawai and Labasa Mills as well from Monday.

Frank Bainimarama had ordered army officers be based at all mills to oversee the smooth operation of crushing when the regime was in the process of 'de-politicising' the sugar industry in 2007.

It's also a known fact that several union leaders, like Felix Anthony, were also assaulted by army officers after being accused of sabotaging the sugar industry.

Farmers: promised biggest payout. (file pic)

Coupfourpointfive can also confirm that Fiji Sugar Corporation employees, both general workers and staff, were also subjected to military style punishment if mills broke down and crushing stopped.

With this latest entry of Homelink Security Services into the four sugar mills, the military will now have additional ears and eyes on the 2013 crushing season.

Last week, Bainimarama announced that the season would be a bumper year with farmers set to receive one of the highest cane payments ever in the industry.

According to their website, Homelink Security was founded in Suva, June 11 in 2007 by ex-military personnel.

So far they have some big clients like Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd, Nadi and Nausori International Airports, Natural Water of Viti Ltd and Sino Hydro Electricity.

Their management is listed as:
General Manager: Mr. Ulaiasi Suka
Cellphone: (679) 7084951,
Operations Manager: Mr.Josaia Naikalivou
Cellphone: (679) 7084954 and
Finance Manager: Mrs. Vilimaina Dinamati
Cellphone: (679) 7084968.

Bainimarama's daughter free rides to see Fiji's new plane

2013-05-19T22:38:00.005+12:00

No mention of her in the official releases about the Air Pacific delegation that went to France to collect the new A330, but Frank Bainimarama's daughter is flying high as well.

The daughter of Fiji's self-appointed leader, Bernadette Bainimarama, gave it away herself posting these pictures on her Facebook along with a note saying she was in Lourdes to see 'Fiji Airways newest plane'.

No mention of whether she paid her own way, but is that really likely? More probable she was part of the group, thanks to the perks of being Daddy's Girl and her trip is being paid for by our taxes, just as the new plane is being paid for by the pensioner's funds.

Bainimarama and the Air Pacific team have officially taken possession of the second A330 aircraft from the Airbus outlet in Toulouse after meeting Airbus’ vice president for contracts and delivery transactions,Thierry Van Der Heyden.

The plane is being named Namuka-I-Lau, in honour of the designer of the Masi motif now used on the aircraft, Makereta Matemosi, despite the huge outcry over the decision to commercialize the traditional designs for the exclusive use of Air Pacific.

The aircraft is due to fly into Nadi this Thursday.

So-called leader goes after small fries instead of tackling the big one

2013-05-17T18:13:00.001+12:00

Letter published by South China Morning Post

Why brave shark infested waters when it's easier to go after those who apparently never did anything for Fiji before he came along and saved the country in2006?

The national airline, Air Pacific, is facing yet another controversy but Frank Bainimarama, who is in France to collect the second A320 airbus that was bought with pensioners funds, is staying well away from the debate.

While the leader of most countries would front to answer the damaging allegations, this self-appointed prime minister is sticking to his well-worn repertoire of repeated dismissals of people who dare to challenge the regime's legitimacy and effectiveness.

That's in spite of a revealing South China Morning Post story that this week

In France to collect second A320

exposed Air Pacific as one of the world’s major carriers of shark fins into Hong Kong.

The SCMP article shows that Air Pacific (soon to be Fiji Airways) and its new Airbus A330 aircraft were, according to a group of pilots familiar with its operations "basically a thinly-disguised freighter", carrying shark fins to the territory from Pacific islands.

Hong Kong is the world centre for shark fin trading with the fins used to make an expensive soup.

The South China Morning Post story quotes a coalition of environmental groups who say in a letter to the airline that a “substantial amount” of the shark fins imported into Hong Kong arrive on Air Pacific.

"Hong Kong government data indicates that more than 1,162 tonnes of shark fins were imported into Hong Kong in 2012, of which 14.1 per cent was by air cargo," it said. "Of that percentage a substantial amount would have been flown to Hong Kong on Air Pacific's planes.

"As you may already know, Cathay Pacific took a great step in the right direction last September by making a public commitment to stop carrying shark fins and related products on its subsidiary airline, Cathay Pacific Cargo.

"As a code share partner, this places Air Pacific in a difficult position regarding the continued revenue stream enjoyed by your airline from the transportation of shark fin."

Air Pacific's PR man, Shane Hussein, has told media the airline is investigating but has been quick to suggest the claim is over the top.

Hussein will have to be on his game because there's already talk the second plane will likely carry similar cargo to the first A320 to make money for the newly-branded company.

Air Pacific's involvement in trafficking shark fin comes at the same time as reports the International Court of Justice is sending a team of private investigators to Fiji in 10 days time to look at human rights abuse.

The complaint was reportedly lodged by the International Law Commission and Amnesty International, specifically Sir Michael Wood, a member of the Commission, who gave evidence to the Iraq Inquiry in November 2009, and who was also Principal Legal Advisor at International Court of Justice advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence.

CRW victim: Investigation at last?

Reports say those that will be interviewed include the families of those who've died at the hands of military, such as the CRW soldiers, and leaders including the country's last democratically elected prime minister, Laisenia Qarase.

Air Pacific trafficking shark fin
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1237843/air-pacific-accused-hypocrisy-over-shark-fins-cargo