The Council For A Democratic Fiji (CFDFiji) urges the Pacific Islands Forum to be extremely vigilant in tracking the performance of the Fiji regime in its constitutional review process leading up to elections supposedly to be held in 2014.
The recent visit by the Forum Ministerial Contact Group (MCG) was useful. It forced the regime to make clear public commitments and answer questions it does not normally have to face.
We understand the desire of the MCG to be positive about its re-engagement with the regime. But the CFDFiji warns that this should not blind it to the devious and untrustworthy nature of the dictatorship. It is known for breaking promises.
It was significant that Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama made no attempt to return from one of his expensive overseas trips to meet with the visiting ministers. This lays bare the hypocrisy of his oft-repeated calls for greater engagement with Australia and New Zealand. There was an opportunity for him to engage with both countries and explain his regime’s roadmap to elections. But he chose to stay away and leave the talking to his Attorney General, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum was visibly agitated and peeved when the ministers met with a diverse group of stakeholders, including opponents of the regime. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum had tried unsuccessfully to exercise some control over the people and organisations with whom the ministers would consult. His idea of dialogue is for him to indulge in a monologue.
The CFDFiji strongly endorses the statement by the Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Bob Carr, that sanctions against the regime, will only be lifted when a free, fair and credible election takes place. Any attempt by Commodore Bainimarama and the Attorney General to gerrymander the outcome will be noted and condemned by the international community. Further sanctions will follow.
The truth of the situation in Fiji is that the environment is still not right for an open and free discussion on constitutional issues. Despite the regime’s claims that the way is now clear for consultations, significant obstacles remain.
The CFDFiji joins with many other major groups in demanding that oppressive, punitive and anti- democratic decrees should be immediately removed. These curtail freedom of assembly, speech and the media and deny justice.
The offending laws include the Media Decree, Essential Industries Decree, Public Order Amendment Decree, State Services Decree and all other Decrees that limit full access to legal rights. If these are not lifted the public participatory dialogue required for a legitimate constitutional process will not be possible.
Professor Yash Ghai, chair of the newly-formed Constitutional Commission knows this. So he now has some decisions to make.
The CFDFiji, like other key stakeholder groups, believes the 1997 Constitution is still in existence. Any constitutional review, therefore, should be based on the 1997 supreme law.
A civilian government must be appointed to guide the review process and manage the elections. This takes on added importance in light of revelations that the Military is considering forming a political party. Commodore Bainimarama has not denied this.
We support the call by the leaders of Fiji’s principal political parties, the SDL, the Fiji Labour Party and the United Peoples Party, for a referendum to be held on the result of the constitutional dialogue.
The regime’s proposed Constituent Assembly to decide on the constitution, will be undemocratic and susceptible to manipulation and control.
Serious issues remain about the continuing involvement of members of the Military in numerous strategic areas of government. This means large sections of the administrative machinery are controlled by Military officers. Their ultimate loyalty is not to the civil service but to their military commander, Commodore Bainimarama.
This militarisation of government was commented on by the MCG. The Group would like it to come to an end.
In recent interview, however, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum indicated that he could see nothing wrong with army officers continuing to serve in government.
This is a very clear indication of his warped view of politics and governance issues. It is also self-serving. He knows the army officer corps is united in its dislike of him and want him out of the regime. He may feel that a statement supporting the military role in the public service will work in his favour.
Secretary
Council for a Democratic Fiji
5th May 2012
CFDFiji.org
Please refer to the following link for a copy of this media release.
Fiji Today FijiTodays Open Forum Blog 
We still waiting for the truth about “rescue at sea” operation by the Tongan Navy.
In my humble opinion, the chances to have free and fair elections in 2014 are extremely slim. What we see in posturing by the AG is a clear hint of things to come: No, we don’t need assistance in voter registration for Australia (they could peek over his shoulder when he rigs the process), no to what he calls ‘carrot and stick’ approaches, no to anything that would ‘interfere’ with Fiji’s sovereignty, meaning in clear English, no interference with the actions of the regime. If the regime was serious about democratic elections, it would hand the registration process to an independent body and not to one of the most prominent regime leaders, it would welcome independent election observers and it would allow freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Sadly, nothing has happened so far that would suggest the regime wants to go down that track.
So what is the incentive the regime could have to let free and fair elections happen? The only hope it would have, is to win and legitimize its rule. An elected government would enjoy lifting of sanctions, inflow of investment and economic growth. The people of Fiji would benefit. The risk on the other hand is enormous: Loosing an election would have a whole host of legal implications, too many to list. At a minimum the perpetrators of a coup would have to take responsibility for their actions and would have their actions and cash flows scrutinized. So where from here? Hope Khaiyum and Bainimarama are good people at heart, free of greed and free of hunger for power, immune against the lure of the considerable perks they have allowed themselves as leaders? No, this is a very unlikely scenario to bring change to Fiji. As I don’t see a chance of any sort of uprising happening in Fiji until the situation gets really very bad, what is the way out?
The key is the military. The UN has to give them enough incentives to dismantle themselves as destructive force in Fiji’s society. The UN needs peace keepers, the UN has been at least in part responsible for the militarization of Fiji. What the UN needs to do now, is to take over all active military and employ them as professional peace keepers outside Fiji. They would draw decent salaries, remit considerable cash back to Fiji, but would be allowed to carry a firearm when visiting home. Fiji could move on without the scourge of rabid Colonels wreaking havoc at home, it could move on to become a place like the world should be. It this feasible? In my humble opinion it is the only way. The alternative? Delayed elections, stalled elections, rigged elections, another coup and endless misery in a country that could be as happy and prosperous as Mauritius.
The UN (particularly under the totally incompetent Ban ki Moon) must take the responsibility for the militarisation of Fiji by thugs with guns. And now it wants to send ”thugs with guns” to replace “thugs with guns” in Syria. The UN is rapidly becoming impotent.
As for carpet baggers like professor ghee – where do they find these carpet baggers? Will he be paid by khaiyum’s aunt as well? And how much will he be paid for supporting a dictatorship?
@ John F
A dilemma I agree! Just as a discussion point, I have heard it argued that the UN itself should bear some responsibility for the growth of the RFMF and the rise within its ranks, those officers who feel it necessary to hold a coup every time they feel their jobs threatened…
So encouraging more of our people to get involved within an institution that continues to produce these soldiers may not be the best idea – what about encouraging tourism or agriculture instead?
Vinaka UN.
Dont even bother listening to Mara’s siblings ….kids….tongans in fijian politics etc. esp. the conman who was lost at sea…..hahhahha
or
even the CFDF …….- Where were they in 1987/2000 – supporting the overthrow of a democratically elected government….these bastards were at the forefront of previous coups….
This shows that FMF under Voreqe Bainimarama, is highly regarded by the UN.
Keep up the good work Commondore.
@ Radio. Yeah, in an ideal world we would do agriculture. My point is to find a solution to get rid of RFMF (the core problem in Fiji) and I don’t see this happening without a sweet deal for them. All signals sent in the past say: you can get away with a military coup. The alternative would be foreign intervention or a massive popular uprising Syria style. Not likely scenarios in my view.
@ John F
Agreed. A difficult question – perhaps a method by which our soldiers are trained by other armies? And we keep a symbolic/anti-terrorist force (like the CRW I guess…)
Training a force of the size we have simply makes no sense other than to provide mercenaries for other forces and to overthrow our own governments.
@ Davina/Daniela/Aam Admi/Queen of the Ganges
I really don’t know what your “argument” is, other than some sort of commendation for your cretinous family member, for doing such a great job at destroying the nation – what is the point? Noone believes that rubbish.
@ Davina/Daniela/Aam Admi/Queen of the Ganges
“TALK ABOUT FIJIAN EXECUTIVES – ALL BIG TIME CROOKS” – so happy to cry “racism” when it suits you, then use it yourself? Hypocrite.
In any event, would you think this Rokovunisei (whom I don’t know) has done something worse than Francis Kean?
I only ask because in normal countries, murderers don’t go free just after they go to jail – that is called corruption, FICAC.
I guess another dictator put it best: “For my friends, anything; for my enemies, the Law.” – Benavides
Radio
re your response above, the only point I’ve raised in my post is the reliability of anything coming from Tevita Mara.
No race has a monopoly on crooks!
Lamu sona Frank, Casava Patch coward ran off to india so he wont have to face the Gora’s from Aus and NZ. Bloody no school, dumb ass, wants to go bend over in india ….he is used to bending over like the rest of the army.
The arrogant fool did not even make a comment about the ministerial visist…just goes to show he knows nothing about being a leader.
Has he even said thank you to Aus and NZ for thier help during the floods?…He dosent say no to thier money does he. And to get money from his look north buddies, he has to go there and beg. Hell the indians even make him wear a clown costume and kiss the ground.
@ Aad Aadmi
Understood – and I agree – unfortunately it seems that all the crooks joined with Frank in 2006 and we paid the price.
Radio Dipstick.
Speaking through your rectosigmoid again boy?
Why don’t you gather your like minded friends and go to Fiji and taken Frank on?
Oh that’s right he has guns?
@ Sai
And why don’t you go back to Fiji and start talking the nonsense you do about the “99.8%” – see what happens when you speak to the people that have to live here and don’t have their very own goat farm in NZ to run away to.
Radio Sonny.
Boy, you’re a likable bugger sort a speak, now son I have in the last five months travelled in and out of Fiji for various reasons and on several occasions have sat and taken lunch with the bane of your life.
Now I have no qualms with Frank and likewise with you however son while you come across for the most part as someone I feel the Fijian Nation can and will benefit from you first must shed your dastardliness and start by using your Christian name.
How are the people to accept what you say with a name like Radio? The people would in the first instance view you as some sort of retard especially with that name, I know I do.
And for the record the figure is 98.6% of the people believe that Frank is the best performing Prime Minister Fiji has ever had.
Now who am I to argue with the people’s beliefs?
Son I have invited you on numerous occasions to visit with me on my Farm only because there’s a lot you need to learn about farm animals it seems.
Sao long time no heard
“I have in the last five months travelled in and out of Fiji for various reasons and on several occasions have sat and taken lunch with (Frank Bainimarama)”
– Ratu Sai
Says it all really, Sai.
Now we know what sort of ‘man’ you are, you should think about what you have done and only come back and speak when you have removed your lips that seem to be so firmly attached to Frank’s ‘performance figures’.
@Radiolucas
I say hurray to that
Radio Sunshine.
“I have in the last five months travelled in and out of Fiji for various reasons and on several occasions have sat and taken lunch with (Frank Bainimarama)”
The latter obviously was an addendum on your part, whereas the phrase was “bane of your life” which for argument sake could be anyone and not necessarily Frank as you so fervently pointed out, don’t you agree?
I could have taken lunch with Qarase, Mick Beddoes or Chaudhry for that matter or anyone else.
Why Frank?
The bane of your life could be anyone, don’t you agree?
“Says it all really, Sai”
Says what exactly boy?
Son you need to come clean and give the people something to believe in you because hiding behind your pseudonym just won’t give rise to your credibility.
Why are you so scared of using your Christian name?
“You should think about what you have done”
What exactly have I done for you to be so concerned?
Take lunch with an unidentified person or because you are befuddled as to whom the reference “bane of your life” is?
“Cui Bono” to whose benefit are you working for?
Sai
Frank’s dog is barking
@ Sai
“I could have taken lunch with Qarase, Mick Beddoes or Chaudhry…”
Nice try, sausage breath.
Radio Sositi.
Boy whats the matter with you?
Don’t you like sausages?
I thought sausages would have been your specialty, don’t you funny buggers revel in sharing each others sausages?
Boy you must not disparage the good old banger.
Sai
Sejiseji soseji malai