Just before we take you to the article by The Economist which appeared in the United Nation Foundation website, we would like to just echo a few points on Professor Crosbie Walsh. There has been many for and against articles, blogs written about Fiji saga & the military dictator, Frank Bainimarama.
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If my expression so offends Crosbie-Walsh, he may wish to remember that I, like most Pacific people, have English as a second language. I can express myself in English, but everything else, thoughts, analyses and aspirations, are ka dina Fijian. How interesting that an appointed Professor of Pacific Studies finds it necessary to get snobbish in the face of true Pacific thinking.
The issue stated in my analysis is that in the vision, mission and the selection of Epeli Nailatikau, democracy has been raped by the illegal illegitimate regime. To quote Brij Lal when interviewed by ABC, after he was verbally abused and ejected by the Military, no rape is good.
Look at the process when our legitimately appointed Vice President, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, was unceremoniously removed along with the people’s legally elected Multi Party Cabinet led by the SDL deposed Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase.
Looking at his blog, Crosbie-Walsh clearly supports a ‘one-size fits all’ approach to governance, as does the illegal regime. But how can this illegal government measure its performance if it refuses to see our communities in all their diversity? It’s like giving a value for the average income in Fiji but only using the income figures of the richest 50% and neglecting to factor in the entire working population (including unpaid workers). An illegal regime can cook up all kinds of faux statistics, but what really counts, is what happens on the ground, and what the people want.
My “Miscarriage of Justice” article is a call for elections and stands for action, in light of the IIR continuing to the rape our democracy with the appointment and swearing in of the illegal President, and possibly enduring past 2014.
The negative side of human nature – greed – has unjustly tarnished the good reputation of the Fiji Military Forces and those highly decorated professional soldiers, who would vote the illegal Voreqe Bainimarama out. This is not theoretical rambling but real life manipulation of the few against the best interests of the many. I hope the International community will continue to pressure through TRUTH and DEMOCRACTIC RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF FIJI."
Dr. Mere Tuisalalo Samisoni, SDL elected Member for Lami Open Constituency (deposed )
Nov 20th 2009 5:47 GMT
The tilte of this article says it all and must state clearly that One-tok has got it so wrong. Its a wonder, the MSG group did not know whether they were 'arthur or martha' in giving their support just like what One-tok has showed here. Evidently, the idea is Sir Michael Somare & his group of MSG have supported Bhaini-in pajamas and so he must be doing good for the Indigenous populace. Thats so incorrect. As a case in point heres a link to our blog where we have cited the human rights abuse & brutality to the first people or Indigenous Fijians and we are of a 'Melanesian Storck'. Heres the link http://luveiviti.blogspot.com/
In Traditional Indigenous Fijian Culture, if this low level response is given to those visiting elders & Chief who had the best of intentions, it is said, that the sheer act of Bainimarama throwing the 'Tabua' back in such a manner will result in his Curse for the rest of his life. This can only be lifted if he atones himself.
To conclude, no matter what the Coconut Dictator tries to do, his days are numbered and one that is tagged with "Fijian Curse' on his head.
Nov 13th 2009 5:22 GMT
This article, nicely written in Australia, rubbishes the dictator but fails to explain in details what he intends to do. I don't like the tit for tat approach but Australia's heavy hand approach to the Pacific, especially Melanesia, deserves a tough stance by the islanders. It's about the Melanesians rise-up to the Australian bullying attitude and protect their interests. We have enough of the heavy handed approach. Look at the Solomon Islands, they are running everything since 2003. For whose interest? Ask Canberra.Anyway the coup culture won't spread to the islands. It's not a bacteria.
This latest diplomatic crisis, as with previous such episodes, led to a ratcheting up of repression at home: Brij Lal, a persistent critic of the regime and a distinguished historian of the Indian diaspora, was taken to a military barracks, harassed and thrown out of the country. This week, the authorities started jamming anti-government bloggers, who have proliferated since the coup of December 2006.
Mr Bainimarama’s belligerence has divided the region. Kevin Rudd, Australia’s prime minister, gave warning that Fiji might spread its “coup culture” across the Pacific. Some Pacific island leaders, though, who think Australia and New Zealand are being overbearing, are more sympathetic to Fiji’s coup leader.
But while he talks tough in the region, back home the commodore is in trouble. Fiji’s economy is reeling. Sugar, its mainstay for over 100 years, has been devastated by big cuts in European Union preferential prices; the industry is failing to meet agreed shipments to the British company Tate & Lyle. Other export industries, including garments, bottled mineral water and gold, also face difficulties. Only tourism fared well in 2009, as Australians and New Zealanders stayed nearer home instead of going to Europe and America. The recent expulsions risk turning some of them away again.
Mr Bainimarama’s political position is being eroded, too. In August, two of his rivals—once arch-adversaries—joined forces against him. They are Laisenia Qarase, whom he deposed as prime minister in 2006 and who retains strong support amongst the 57% of the population who are indigenous Fijians, and Mahendra Chaudhry, who resigned from the government last year and whose Fiji Labour Party has long been the party of choice for the 37% of the population who are Indians. The two men want fresh elections by October 2010.
Of those politicians who remain in the commodore’s cabinet, most have no credibility, having been rejected at the last poll, held in 2006. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who became president on November 5th, had his nomination as vice-president rejected in 2007 by the Great Council of Chiefs, then the appointing authority for both posts. As Mr Bainimarama made clear in July when he acknowledged that Mr Qarase would win an election if one were held soon, he has strong reasons for delaying both election and diplomatic normality until 2014.








































































