Temperatures rise in Fiji

Some of the alerts arriving in my inbox...

On another note, despite suggestions to the contrary on the DFAT website, nobody seems to think much is going on in the Solomon Islands. Phew!


WEDNESDAY 5PM 1 NOVEMBER 2006

FIJI'S PRIME MINISTERS OFFICE: PRIME MINISTER LAISENIA QARASE

WEDNESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2006

ADDRESS TO THE NATION

Good evening my fellow citizens.

I address you this evening about events involving the Republic of Fiji Military Forces that are causing so much anxiety, uncertainty, and fear in our land. This is related specifically to public threats by the Commander of the Army to overthrow the elected Government of Fiji. This is the Government I was given the mandate to lead in the May General Election.

I can affirm that the Police are continuing their investigations into the threats by the Commander. I expect that the Army will respect the authority of the Police and will fully cooperate in these investigations.

Now, over the past few months, I have exercised great patience in my attitude to the various statements by the Commander, condemning the Government for a whole variety of reasons.

Following developments yesterday and renewed threats as reported in the media, I called meetings this morning of the National Security Council and the Multi-Party Cabinet, comprising SDL and Fiji Labour Party Ministers.

I now wish to explain the actions we are taking.

To begin with, let me take you back to a meeting convened earlier this year by His Excellency the Vice President, in his capacity as Acting President. I attended that meeting along with the Commander of the RFMF. Its purpose was to create a positive and open atmosphere for dialogue on issues of concern raised by the Military. I readily agreed to this because I have always favoured this approach to solving problems. It is consistent with the good-faith principles called for by our Constitution for settling differences.

There was also agreement that the Commander would not make public statements without clearing them first with the Prime Minister.

I met with the Commander under these arrangements. The problem that immediately arose was he expected me to virtually follow his orders.

As Head of a democratically- elected Government I could not do that.

It wasn¢t long before the Commander again began to go public, in breach of the agreement he had reached with the Acting President and me.

To justify this, he attempted to argue that the Army had a broad mandate to ensure the well being of Fiji and its people. This, he claimed, had been transferred to the 1997 Constitution from the 1990 document.

The prevailing view among legal experts, however, is that the Commander¢s interpretation is wrong.

Our present Constitution legitimises the existence of the RFMF, but not the broadened responsibilities given to it in the 1990 Constitution. In other words, the constitutional and statutory authority of the RFMF is strictly confined to maintaining and safeguarding national security within a democracy.

The Cabinet, therefore, decided to seek clarification from the Supreme Court on the role of the Military. This was a reasonable position to take, given the circumstances. It also reflected our desire for a conclusive legal finding. The Constitution allows for this procedure.

The Minister of Home Affairs was asked to consult with the RFMF to establish joint terms of reference for the approach to the Supreme Court.

The Army did not respond.

And then, in view of the Commander¢s continuing verbal attacks on the Government, the Cabinet decided it would go ahead with its proposal for a legal opinion from the Supreme Court. It, therefore, asked His Excellency the President to refer the issue to the Court, in accordance with the Constitution.

For the Government and the RFMF, the sensible course was to await the clarification by the Court.

Unfortunately, instead of doing this, the Commander and the Army have launched a campaign of threats to force the Government to resign.

The Police, as I have said, have now started an independent inquiry into the Commander¢s threats to remove the lawfully elected Government of Fiji.

The Commander makes many untruthful allegations against the Government. He regularly expresses unsubstantiated accusations about widespread corruption. My position on this is very clear. The Government has taken a strong stand against corruption. Draft legislation to combat this is being prepared. In the meantime, the law enforcement authorities must be allowed to do their duty when allegations are made. Those making allegations against the Government must provide evidence to the Police.

When they do not do this there is a suspicion that these accusations are just a cover for a deeper agenda to overthrow a democratically- elected Government.

We must ask whether the Commander is being used or influenced by unscrupulous people opposed to certain items of legislation introduced by the Government. Is the Commander being manipulated by those with a certain political agenda?

If this is so, those involved are acting to serve their own purposes.

I declare emphatically that there is absolutely no question of me resigning in response to the current situation, or of my Government stepping down.

We have the constitutional authority and the support of the people to rule now and for the next five years.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Army is an important institution in Fiji . It is an agency of the State which has won international respect and acclaim for its service to international peacekeeping.

Whoever is Commander should be ever vigilant in protecting its integrity and reputation, and ensuring it follows the rule of law.

It should be a matter of serious concern to us all that officers who have stood for the professional values of loyalty and legality, are being pushed aside and relieved of their appointments.

Now let me repeat, that the Government I lead was legitimately elected in May this year. I was constitutionally appointed to form a Government by the President, acting in his own judgement.

His Excellency determined that I had the confidence of the House of Representatives. That confidence remains. It enabled me to appoint Fiji ¢s first Multi-Party Cabinet, comprising elected representatives of Fiji ¢s main communities. The Multi-Party Cabinet, as the executive arm of Government, is proceeding with an agenda that reflects the wishes of all the people of Fiji .

Members of the Cabinet together contributed to a new Strategic Development Plan that was recently endorsed at a National Economic Summit. The Plan provides a clear course and targets for Fiji ¢s growth in the next five years.

On Friday we will be announcing our 2007 Budget setting out our spending priorities and goals for the country in the next 12 months.

These policy and development initiatives are what we were elected to do.

As part of the Government¢s response to current events, I have today, with the authority of Cabinet, requested the Minister for Fijian Affairs Lands and Provincial Development, to consult with the Chairperson of the Great Council of Chiefs on convening a special meeting of the GCC next week.

It is crucially important for us to seek the advice of the GCC because the legislative measures the Commander says he is opposed to are being undertaken with the specific authorisation of the Council.

Furthermore, the GCC is a repository of chiefly wisdom and authority. I am sure you all agree there is a role for it in assisting to resolve the current crisis.

In 1987 and 2000 it demonstrated its ability to deal with the fundamental issues of peace and stability.

I give you now the same undertaking I have given to His Excellency the President. I have informed His Excellency that I am ready to engage in further discussions with the Commander on the issues that are of on-going concern to the Military. I will take part in such dialogue with an open mind, with a view to finding resolutions that serve the best interests of Fiji .

Having said, that I must also stress that the Army is under the control and authority of the elected Government.

The rule of law must prevail. No one is above the law, or has the right to interfere with the legal processes.

Fiji has previously experienced the tragedy and turmoil of illegal armed intervention in the business of the State. The last time this happened was in 2000.

One factor of compelling importance for the people of Fiji to be aware of, is that the international environment today is totally different from what it was in 1987 and 2000. The international community is now more proactive in protecting democratic governments when the rule of law and constitutionality are threatened or overturned. Our international friends are already coming out very strongly in support of the maintenance of democracy and constitutional rule in Fiji .

I have today received messages from the Governments of Australia, NZ and the United States . They too have expressed strong support for our elected Government. They have called on the Military to respect democracy and the rule of law. They are urging the Military to confine themselves to their proper role in a democracy.

If the Army fails to do this there will be dire consequences for Fiji . For a start, our tourism industry, our biggest direct employer and earner of foreign exchange, would be severely damaged. Thousands of jobs would be lost and ordinary people would suffer.

Following the crisis of 2000, the members of the Pacific Island Forum adopted the Biketawa Declaration. This Declaration provides the mandate for intervention by member governments at the invitation of the lawful authority in a Forum country affected by crisis.

Let me issue a warning, as well, that if the democratically elected Government of Fiji is overthrown, there is every likelihood this would severely prejudice the continued participation by Fiji in international peacekeeping operations.

I very much hope, then, that those in the Military, will keep in mind the catastrophic consequences of the threats that are being made against the elected Government of the people of Fiji .

I remain confident that sound judgement and wisdom will prevail about the overriding importance of the rule of law. I call on the churches and people to pray for our country.

Let us show the world that we have the ability and the will to solve our internal difficulties, as we have done before.

God bless you all, and God bless Fiji .

For response by Military Chief, go here.

The Australian military should not intervene in Fiji 's escalating political crisis, a Fijian academic has warned.

Australia is sending warships to the South Pacific nation to evacuate any Australians if needed amid fears of another coup as Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase refuses demands that he resign in a stand-off with the military.

However, a former member of Fiji 's Constitution Review Commission and Australian National University academic, Professor Brij Lai, says Australia should not use the ships for any military task.

"I think this would be hugely counter-productive because any scent of outside intervention will simply get the army's back up," he told the Nine Network.

"This is not the time for military intervention."

"This is a time for dialogue, for diplomacy for regional countries in the South Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand , to lend all the support they can to get the army and the government together," Professor Lai said.

But he said Mr Qarase should not be pushed into resigning.

"I don't think he should, I mean he is a democratically elected leader."

"The second point is it's the first time in the history of Fiji you have a multi-party Cabinet where members of the former opposition party are in government."

"This experiment must be allowed to succeed because if it doesn't, we don't have any future."

Pacific Islands Forum meeting: day 2

More Pacific news as the Pacific Islands Forum meets this week:

PNG leader unleashes outburst at Australia

The Age
Brendan Nicholson, Nadi, Fiji
October 24, 2006

AUSTRALIA'S relations with South Pacific nations have reached a new low after Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare accused the Federal Government of treating neighbouring countries with arrogance and contempt.

Sir Michael's anger boiled over at a regional leaders summit in Fiji, being attended by Prime Minister John Howard, as three other Melanesian nations also joined PNG in lashing out at Australia. The anger centred on last week's raid on the office of the Solomon Islands Prime Minister by local police and Australian officers, a raid the PNG leader suggested had been ordered by Canberra. More...

Howard to stare down Pacific critics

The Australian
Steve Lewis, Nadi, Fiji

October 24, 2006

JOHN Howard will today stare down efforts to scale back theAustralian-led mission to maintain law and order in Solomon Islands, despite being accused of being arrogant and treating Pacific leaders with contempt.

On the eve of what promises to be a stormy Pacific Island Forum, Australia was yesterday accused of undermining Solomon Islands' sovereignty.

Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Vanuatu signed a tough communique condemning last Friday's raid on the office of Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. More...

PNG, so near yet so far from friendly

The Australian
Charlie Lynn
October 24, 2006

What we need is a minister for Melanesia to deal with the arc of instability to our north.

"YOU can't let them kill my guide just because they think he's a sorcerer!" I bellowed to the police at the end of my 37th expedition across the Kokoda Track last year.

A couple of recruits I had engaged had decided that one of my older guides, from a neighbouring village, was a sorcerer. So they felt obligated to kill him. The impending execution was not apparent to my Western mind. We had trekked together, sung traditional songs of an evening together, and they had worked assiduously to ensure every one of my band of trekkers completed their journey safely.

As we sat down to dinner in Port Moresby, we reflected on their selfless devotion to us and agreed they were proud sons of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. But they had unfinished business in their own tribe, and by the time we finished our meal the alleged sorcerer was dead.

After 15 years of roaming Papua New Guinea - climbing mountains, exploring burial caves, attending Highland "sing-sings", leading numerous expeditions across Kokoda and meeting politicians at the national, provincial and local government levels - I thought I was beginning to understand this land of 1000 cultures. But PNG is the land of the unexpected: as soon as you think you are beginning to understand it, something or other takes you completely by surprise. More...

Climate refugees here by 2016

The Australian
Steve Lewis, Nadi
October 24, 2006

AUSTRALIA has been warned it may face a flood of environmental refugees within a decade as the Pacific's smallest island states face submersion under rising seas.

The alarmist message was issued by Kiribati's leader, Anote Tong, as fellow leaders of endangered nations gathered in Fiji to discuss their worsening plight. More...

Pacific Plan gains welcome

Postcourier
24 October 2006

Leaders of the Pacific Islands Smaller Island States yesterday welcomed the considerable progress made in implementing the Pacific Plan. SIS leaders said there were many significant initiatives gaining momentum under the Plan and support from regional organisations and development partners had been a strong and positive feature to date. The SIS leaders held their 15th summit yesterday at the Westin Hotel, Danaurau, Fiji, and was attended by leaders from the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and the Republic of Palau. More...

Pacific Islands Forum meeting: day 1

The Pacific Islands Forum meets in Fiji this week. Some hits below...

Solomons anger erupts on peace force

The Age

Brendan Nicholson, Nadi
October 23, 2006

TENSIONS over the Australian-led peacekeeping operation in the Solomon Islands have erupted before today's meeting of Pacific leaders, with claims by a senior Solomons minister that local public opinion is turning against the operation. More...

Pacific split over Canberra campaign

The Australian
Steve Lewis
Chief political correspondent
In Nadi, Fiji

October 23, 2006

DIVISIONS have emerged among Pacific nations over how to deal with Australia's hardline push to stamp out corruption in island states.

Fiji and the grouping of small island states attending this year’s Pacific Island Forum have declined to join in condemnation of Australia’s involvement in last Friday’s raid of the office of Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare over the Julian Moti affair. More...

Prime Minister to press Pacific islands for improvement

The Australian
October 23, 2006

PRIME Minister John Howard says he will press Pacific island countries to improve standards of governance and economic management in return for continued Australian aid. More...

Howard, Clark united on Pacific

The Australian
Steve Lewis and Patricia Karvelas
October 23, 2006

AUSTRALIA and New Zealand will forge a united front in telling Pacific leaders they must be prepared to stamp out corrupt practices if they want to continue receiving generous aid funding. More...

Commonwealth chief to visit SI

Solomon Star News
23 October 2006

COMMONWEALTH Secretary-General Don McKinnon will travel to Fiji Islands to attend the 37th Pacific Islands Forum Summit which starts today.

He will later travel to Solomon Islands to meet with the government and civil society groups.

“Good governance and a healthy democratic culture, as recognised in the Pacific Plan, have become crucial issues and prerequisites for stability and sustainable economic growth in the region,” Mr McKinnon said on the eve of his departure. More...

Raid inflame SI-Aust row

Solomon Star News
23 October 2006

A POLICE raid on the Office of the Prime Minister last Friday has further inflamed the ongoing diplomatic row between Honiara and Canberra.
Six officers – three locals and three Australians serving with RAMSI – reportedly stormed the office and removed a fax machine, in the absence of Mr Sogavare who is currently in Fiji for the Forum meeting. More...

Diplomatic row impacts on national economy - Huniehu

People First
23 October 2006

The Opposition spokesman for Finance and Treasury and MPR for East Are'are, Edward Huniehu says the continued diplomatic row and standoff between Australia and Solomon Islands will have wider financial implications for the national economy if they are not resolved quickly. More...

Fiji to benefit from meet, says Tavola

Fiji Times
Timothy Naivaluwaqa
23 October 2006

Fiji stands to benefit immensely from the Pacific Leaders Forum which starts in Nadi today, says Foreign Affairs Minister, Kaliopate Tavola.

Mr Tavola said the people of Fiji would benefit from all issues discussed by the 16 heads of government attending the week-long meeting. More...

300 officers for forum talks

Fiji Sun

Police will be deploying more than 300 officers to Denarau, the host hotel for the 37th Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting that starts today. Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Samuela Matakibau said police had deployed more than 300 officers to provide security. "Police presence in Denarau will be spearheaded by the elite Police Tactical Response Unit and officers from the Special Operations Unit. The exercise has been dubbed Operation Bose Ni Pacifika," he said. More...

Pacific leaders converge

Fiji Sun
By CHRISTOPHER HILL
Assistant Secretary of State
Department of State
Washington

I'm very pleased to arrive this week in Fiji, which is hosting the Pacific Islands Forum and Post Forum Dialogue meetings that bring together the heads of government of the wider Pacific Islands region.

The United States, though not a member of the Forum, is honoured to have been invited to a special session with PIF leaders on October 25. When I attended the Forum last year in Papua New Guinea, the clear message I received is that our partners in the region are looking for more active involvement from the United States. More...

Urwin says RAMSI must continue

Pacific Magazine, 23 October 2006
Samantha Magick

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Greg Urwin says it is essential the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) continues, as controversy continues over the future of the regional initiative. More...

Land tenure

In a letter to the editor of the Solomon Star News on 25 April 2006, one writer writes that,

"I have been predicting for a long, long time the events of the last few days. Solomon Islanders as a whole are a passive and peaceful people, but even their patience has been stretched to the breaking point.
...

Let’s look at the situation here. ... Yes, we have an elected government, but Asian money is running this country and dictating the terms. Any Asian, who wants land – just ask for it and there is one of our corrupt leaders to give it to him (see Kukum labour line and below the Catholic Cathedral). This goes to the point that every square inch of land between Henderson and White River is owned by Asians, with no room left for the owners of this country, Solomon Islanders. Their rapacious appetite has no boundaries. ..."

Land in Solomon Islands is held according to custom. As is the case elsewhere in the Pacific (indeed, much of the world, including the indigenous inhabitants of Australia) land in Solomon Islands is not merely an economic asset, but has religious, political and social significance. Most of the customary rules relating to the use and transfer or customary land are closely associated with the religious beliefs of the people. Leadership and interests in land are passed on by inheritance, and land tenure is governed by the histories of the ancestors, preserved in genealogies and in the landscape of the places they belonged to. Understanding the intimate connection between land an identity enables one to see why the ownership of land by Asians would be seen as so outrageous.

Furthermore, land in Solomon Islands is held by kin groups, which comprise a number of families that claim descent from the first settlers of the land. Under the Land and Titles Act, transactions of customary land must be made according to the current customary usage applicable to the land concerned (NB: I'm not aware of the extent to which land in and around Honiara is regulated according to custom or another system). Historically, various people could have different rights to the same piece of land. While there are competing interpretations of kastom, there is no doubt that the advent of the cash economy has encouraged misinterpretations of land tenure emphasising exclusivity of land rights. The individualisation of tenure has resulted in some rights being extended beyond their traditional extent and scope at the expense of others. As a result, there is much controversy about who has acquired land legitimately and who hasn't - this was a key cause of the anger directed towards Malaitans during the Tensions, and the letter above suggests it plays a role in the anger now directed towards the Chinese.