Fiji in a climate of fear
May 30, 2009
Amnesty International has highlighted a climate of fear in Fiji, high levels of violence and impunity in Papua New Guinea and a growing health crisis from spreading slums in Solomon Islands. In its 2009 annual report, the human rights group condemns Fiji’s suspension of the constitution and legal processes and says its contributing to growing violence, impunity for police and soldiers, and a declining economy.
Fiji report
The human rights group says the interim, military-backed government of Fiji continued to violate freedom of expressions and use intimidation, particularly through a pattern of short-term arrests and deportations. Amnesty has called on China to use it’s influence to urge a restoration of legal processes in Fiji. Ms Guest says that with few signs Fiji cares about pressure from its neighbours and the Commonwealth, others should step in. “Of course China gives them quite a bit of aid and we feel this is very important and just generally China, now that it really is a world player it needs to start expressing some concern in some of these areas where it does have influence,” she said.
Posted by rawfijinews
May 30, 2009
Amnesty International has highlighted a climate of fear in Fiji, high levels of violence and impunity in Papua New Guinea and a growing health crisis from spreading slums in Solomon Islands. In its 2009 annual report, the human rights group condemns Fiji’s suspension of the constitution and legal processes and says its contributing to growing violence, impunity for police and soldiers, and a declining economy.
Fiji report
The human rights group says the interim, military-backed government of Fiji continued to violate freedom of expressions and use intimidation, particularly through a pattern of short-term arrests and deportations. Amnesty has called on China to use it’s influence to urge a restoration of legal processes in Fiji. Ms Guest says that with few signs Fiji cares about pressure from its neighbours and the Commonwealth, others should step in. “Of course China gives them quite a bit of aid and we feel this is very important and just generally China, now that it really is a world player it needs to start expressing some concern in some of these areas where it does have influence,” she said.
Posted by rawfijinews
Fiji : Amnesty calls for China’s step
May 30, 2009
The human rights group Amnesty International has called on China to use its influence to urge Fiji to restore legal processes. In its 2009 annual report, Amnesty says the interim military-backed government of Fiji continued to violate freedom of expression and use intimidation. This was particularly through a pattern of short-term arrests and deportations, Amnesty said. The report also criticises violence by police and says sexual violence against women and girls has increased.
Step in
Amnesty’s deputy director for the Asia Pacific region, Donna Guest, has told Radio Australia that with few signs Fiji cares about pressure from its neighbours and the Commonwealth, others should step in. “Of course, China gives them quite a bit of aid and we feel this is very important,” she says. “Just generally, China – now that it really is a world player – it needs to start expressing some concern in some of these areas where it does have influence.”
Posted by rawfijinews
May 30, 2009
The human rights group Amnesty International has called on China to use its influence to urge Fiji to restore legal processes. In its 2009 annual report, Amnesty says the interim military-backed government of Fiji continued to violate freedom of expression and use intimidation. This was particularly through a pattern of short-term arrests and deportations, Amnesty said. The report also criticises violence by police and says sexual violence against women and girls has increased.
Step in
Amnesty’s deputy director for the Asia Pacific region, Donna Guest, has told Radio Australia that with few signs Fiji cares about pressure from its neighbours and the Commonwealth, others should step in. “Of course, China gives them quite a bit of aid and we feel this is very important,” she says. “Just generally, China – now that it really is a world player – it needs to start expressing some concern in some of these areas where it does have influence.”
Posted by rawfijinews
Australia has withdrawn funding for a key position in Fiji’s elections office. The position of Supervisor of Elections has been made redundant following the cancellation of the constitution last month. The Australian Government formally notified Fiji’s Public Service Commission on May 13 that it has stopped salary supplementation support for the position. The Australian High Commission in Fiji says the government made the decision after Fiji’s President abrogated the 1997 Constitution and revoked all constitutionally appointed positions. This includes the supervisor’s role. The interim Fiji Government says elections will not be held until as late as 2014. Australia says it remains willing to provide considerable assistance with elections preparations in Fiji. But this is provided the Fiji Government is able to demonstrate a genuine commitment towards free and fair elections at an early date.
Posted by rawfijinews
Posted by rawfijinews
One of the most revolting sights still etched on my mind was when a BBC cameraman re-played a tape to me following the 1987 coup of a overtly racist public prosecutor from the Director of Public Prosecutions Office, in full military gear, supporting the racist coup of Sitiveni Rabuka against the Indo-Fijians – he was none other than Isikeli Mataitoga. The tape was re-played to me as I was preparing to appear on the BBC’s prime time news channel to firmly and squarely condemn the 1987 coup and the racists behind it. Last night, I replayed the tape, and it made me cringe, as it did in 1987 – the sight of his Lordship Mataitoga. A double beneficiary of the 1987 and 2006 coups, he is now touted as one of two judges, the other being Nazhat Shameem, who will return to his old job next week.
We should not be surprised – the man has built his career out of the debris of the coup culture in Fiji – in 1987 he became the military spokesman of racism in Fiji, and after the 2006 went up to the Bench, making out as if he supported the bogus claim that the coup had been executed to weed out racism against the Indo-Fijians. Falsus in unus, falsus in omnibus is an ancient and commonly applied principle of law. If a witness is found to have testified falsely about one matter, it may be inferred that his testimony as to other matters, is false as well. So, bloggers, do not believe whatever explanation the man comes up with – he thrives on coups, illegality and now the absence of constitutionalism. But, now, that the 1997 Constitution is gone, Mataitoga’s own immunity for his role in the 1987 coups no longer stands – you see at the International Criminal Court one of these days – “Your Coupist Lordship”.
As to Nazhat Shameem, I will come back to her.
Posted by rawfijinews
As to Nazhat Shameem, I will come back to her.
Posted by rawfijinews
The Press in Chain in Nazi Germany : An object lesson for pro-regime megaphone media in Fiji
May 29, 2009
By VICTOR LAL
May 29, 2009
By VICTOR LAL
It is beyond question that my name is, and will be eternally linked to, the Fiji SUN, the old one before the 1987 coups, and the new one which replaced it in name. As one searches for motives of newspaper editors and publishers in post-2006 coup, I went back to a copy of The Captive Press in the Third Reich by Oron J. Hale that was published in 1964. I had read it years ago, following the 1987 coups. I could not resist dusting it off my shelves to take a peek into history.
Hale was an American officer who had interviewed Adolf Hitler’s publisher and Nazi press magnate Max Amann in detention in Nuremberg, in September 1947, for Amann’s role in the Nazi party conquest of the German press. In his concluding remarks, Hale posed the question: what kind of profession and what kind of press did the system of total control produce? For a judgment and critique we need not go outside the circle of party leaders who were intimately concerned with the daily work of the press. William Weiss, who supported the system enthusiastically during the early years of the regime, was completely disillusioned. He had headed the Reich Press Association,Journalists and editors became increasingly dissatisfied and resentful of the government’s policy towards the press, he said. Likewise the monopoly gained by the party through Amann’s operations undermined the confidence of the public, although the full extent of his operation was not appreciated. Under the strict controls established by the Reich press chief and the propaganda ministry, editors and writers were deprived of all independence and initiative, and the newspaper became simply a megaphone. The public became uncertain and mistrustful of the press. Moreover, Weiss pointed out, a uniform press did not serve equally well all levels of education, interest, and attainment represented in the German population.
Hale was an American officer who had interviewed Adolf Hitler’s publisher and Nazi press magnate Max Amann in detention in Nuremberg, in September 1947, for Amann’s role in the Nazi party conquest of the German press. In his concluding remarks, Hale posed the question: what kind of profession and what kind of press did the system of total control produce? For a judgment and critique we need not go outside the circle of party leaders who were intimately concerned with the daily work of the press. William Weiss, who supported the system enthusiastically during the early years of the regime, was completely disillusioned. He had headed the Reich Press Association,Journalists and editors became increasingly dissatisfied and resentful of the government’s policy towards the press, he said. Likewise the monopoly gained by the party through Amann’s operations undermined the confidence of the public, although the full extent of his operation was not appreciated. Under the strict controls established by the Reich press chief and the propaganda ministry, editors and writers were deprived of all independence and initiative, and the newspaper became simply a megaphone. The public became uncertain and mistrustful of the press. Moreover, Weiss pointed out, a uniform press did not serve equally well all levels of education, interest, and attainment represented in the German population.
One paper was just the same as another and all were directed at a mass segment of the public.
People became bored and suspicious and the press as a source of information and opinion lost its standing and influence. And even Amann, when asked if he thought the party’s monopoly of newspaper published produced a good daily press, admitted that although he had given it a good economic foundation, “it was impossible to edit and publish good newspapers”.
The editors, he said, complained to him that they received a three-inch file of directives and a one-inch file of news. “How could an editor publish a good paper when he sat with one foot in jail and the other in the editorial room?” Indeed, how could he? Unless, you become a shameless propagandist of the dictatorial regime, cowing to censors who have spent their lives churning out third quality government press releases, and who had nothing by envy of the mainstream journalists who risked it all to tell their countrymen what had been really happening to their beloved country. The journalists and editors who have not sold their soul to the regime should take comfort from Frankfurter Zeitung, which had been founded in 1856 but was closed down by Hitler in 1943. While in the end the Nazi dictator was forced to commit suicide in his bunker in Berlin, the Frankfurter Zeitung was re-launched in 1946. Its time pro-regime megaphone media editors took a leaf out of history- that dictatorial regimes will in the end die, but fearless journalism will live on.
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People became bored and suspicious and the press as a source of information and opinion lost its standing and influence. And even Amann, when asked if he thought the party’s monopoly of newspaper published produced a good daily press, admitted that although he had given it a good economic foundation, “it was impossible to edit and publish good newspapers”.
The editors, he said, complained to him that they received a three-inch file of directives and a one-inch file of news. “How could an editor publish a good paper when he sat with one foot in jail and the other in the editorial room?” Indeed, how could he? Unless, you become a shameless propagandist of the dictatorial regime, cowing to censors who have spent their lives churning out third quality government press releases, and who had nothing by envy of the mainstream journalists who risked it all to tell their countrymen what had been really happening to their beloved country. The journalists and editors who have not sold their soul to the regime should take comfort from Frankfurter Zeitung, which had been founded in 1856 but was closed down by Hitler in 1943. While in the end the Nazi dictator was forced to commit suicide in his bunker in Berlin, the Frankfurter Zeitung was re-launched in 1946. Its time pro-regime megaphone media editors took a leaf out of history- that dictatorial regimes will in the end die, but fearless journalism will live on.
Posted by rawfijinews
There are talks in Fiji that two more judges will take their treasonous oath next week. Isikeli Mataitoga and Nazhat Shameem are rumoured to have said yes to Aiyaz Khaiyum’s pleas to join their deadly 1997 Fiji Constitution assasins.
Posted by rawfijinews
Posted by rawfijinews
FEAR and loathing are reaching impressive new heights in Fiji after the most recent manoeuvres by that country’s dictatorship. By stripping the Fiji Law Society of the right to issue practising certificates, the military government has all the tools it needs to embark on a purge of that country’s lawyers. From the perspective of military strongman Frank Bainimarama, such a move would have a nice touch of symmetry. The stunning reappointment of Anthony Gates as the dictatorship’s chief justice indicates that it is quite prepared to engage in a purge of the judiciary. After sacking the entire judiciary, Bainimarama is now reappointing only those who are in the regime’s good books. So why wouldn’t the regime engage in a similar move against lawyers? Fiji is, after all, crawling with lawyers who are none too pleased about what the military is doing to their country. But before jumping to conclusions, it is worth focusing on the man who must take responsibility for these moves: attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Those who know him say he is unlikely to be attracted to such a blunt method of achieving his goals. He sees himself as a far more subtle operator. So instead of engaging in a purge, Sayed-Khaiyum might be hoping to achieve the same goal by other means. A credible threat of a purge might be all he needs in order to encourage Fiji’s lawyers to toe the line. In many ways, this would be even more insidious than a purge. If the regime’s goal is to intimidate the Law Society and its members, the heavy-handed weekend raid on the Law Society’s offices begins to make sense. With burglar alarms screaming, the regime’s foot soldiers entered the Law Society’s offices on Saturday and removed every complaint file they could find about Law Society members. The burglar alarms were entirely appropriate. While the attorney-general’s tactics are worth watching, the most startling move was by Gates. By signing on with the dictators last Friday, Gates has removed all doubt about where he stands and has played into the hands of his critics. You can almost hear the staff of the International Bar Association in London shaking their heads as they mumble “we told you so”. Gates featured prominently in an IBA report that had criticised the rule of law after the 2006 coup. That report, in turn, has itself been criticised. Before the events of April 10, when the constitution was abrogated, Gates and the other judges who took office after the 2006 coup could at least argue that they held office under the constitution. Their sacking in April prompted widespread sympathy and expressions of concern from the Australian Bar Association — an organisation that had previously warned of the risks of accepting judicial appointments in Fiji. Because of the unconstitutional actions of the regime between the 2006 coup that brought Bainimarama to power and April 10, that argument had a few difficulties. But after April 10, it’s impossible. What happened on Good Friday was not quite a coup, but it marked a major departure from the previous order. It presented Fiji’s judges with a choice and it’s revealing to see how they have responded.
Thomas Hickie, who was also criticised in the IBA report, was one of the three Court of Appeal judges who precipitated the Good Friday upheaval by ruling that the Bainimarama regime held office illegally. Hickie is back in Australia and will not accept office under the current arrangements. Before April 10 there were two types of judge in Fiji: those whose commissions pre-dated the 2006 coup and those who were disparagingly referred to by their critics as “junta judges”. After April 10, the debate about whether it was proper to take office after the 2006 coup has been overtaken by a much more clear-cut and important argument. Fiji’s judges still fall into two categories. But the dividing line is now April 10 and the divisions within the judiciary are much sharper. Those who swear to uphold the decrees of a dictator might be maintaining a form of order but that falls a long way short of the rule of law.
Posted by rawfijinews
Posted by rawfijinews
IBA critises Fiji regime for raid on Law Society
May 29, 2009
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute is raising concern at the Fiji military led regime’s recent raid and removal of confidential files from the Fiji Law Society offices. The seized files relate to complaints against Law Society members. The raid follows a decree, issued last week, that the Chief Registrar of the Court will take over the role of issuing lawyers’ practising certificates from the Law Society. All certificates issued by the Law Society will become invalid from the end of next month. The IBA’s executive director, Mark Ellis, says this gross invasion of the rule of law takes Fiji another step away from an independent legal profession. He says since the 2006 coup, repeated actions by the interim government have caused the deterioration of the rule of law in the country, and the latest decree may be the death knell to an independent legal profession.
News Content © Radio New Zealand InternationalPO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand
Posted by rawfijinews
May 29, 2009
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute is raising concern at the Fiji military led regime’s recent raid and removal of confidential files from the Fiji Law Society offices. The seized files relate to complaints against Law Society members. The raid follows a decree, issued last week, that the Chief Registrar of the Court will take over the role of issuing lawyers’ practising certificates from the Law Society. All certificates issued by the Law Society will become invalid from the end of next month. The IBA’s executive director, Mark Ellis, says this gross invasion of the rule of law takes Fiji another step away from an independent legal profession. He says since the 2006 coup, repeated actions by the interim government have caused the deterioration of the rule of law in the country, and the latest decree may be the death knell to an independent legal profession.
News Content © Radio New Zealand InternationalPO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand
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Dictator Frank Bainimarama continues to spew his bull dung to the international community
May 28, 2009
Intervention on Agenda Item 6 (ACP/26/031/09 REV 1) on the Committee of Ambassadors Report by dictator Bainimarama
May 28, 2009
Intervention on Agenda Item 6 (ACP/26/031/09 REV 1) on the Committee of Ambassadors Report by dictator Bainimarama
Mr. President, allow me on behalf of my delegation to congratulate your Excellency on your appointment to the Chair and to assure you of Fiji’s co-operation. Allow me if you will Mr. President to provide a brief on the political situation in Fiji as referred to in paragraphs 28 and 29 of the Committee of Ambassadors Report before us.
Update ACP Council on the Political Situation in Fiji
Court of Appeal RulingColleagues and Excellencies, you are no doubt aware that on the afternoon of Thursday 9th April in a legal action by the former Prime Minister challenging the validity of the President’s powers to appoint an Interim Government, the 3 member Fiji Court of Appeal ruled that:
1. The 1997 Constitution did not give the President express written powers to appoint an Interim Government;
2. Suggested that the President should exercise his discretion and appoint a caretaker PM, an independent person who is neither a party or a defendant in the Court case;
3. Refused the State’s application for a Stay Order on the grounds of appeal to the Supreme Court.
It was noticeable that Voreqe's body language on those around him?? Do they look excited or convinced by his babbles? Hmmm…..they look bored shit with everyone kinda looking around the room while Frank spills his dung.
On the afternoon of the same day, soon after the Court of Appeal’s ruling, I consulted my Cabinet and informed the President that the Interim Government has stepped down. President’s ResponseAfter taking legal advice overnight, the President in a televised address to the nation on 10th April declared that the Court of Appeal’s ruling has left him with very limited options because the suggestion by the Court of Appeal above was also not provided for in the Constitution and this anomaly in the decision, coupled with the serious consequent vacuum created by that decision; and the existing circumstances in Fiji left His Excellency no choice but to abrogate the 1997 Constitution.
And to avoid a prolonged situation where in practical legal terms Fiji had been left without a Government for the preceding 24 hours, the President declared the abrogation of the Constitution and reappointed my team of Ministers as an Interim Government to prepare the country for a return to sustainable democratic governance with all the relevance constitutional and electoral reforms to be addressed.
The abrogation of the Constitution by the President was considered necessary in the difficult legal situation Fiji was faced with on 9th April and it had allowed the President through the previous Interim Government to continue with the reforms that he had embarked on and which was supported by a majority of Fiji’s population [in a nationwide consultation in 2008] and was encapsulated as a credible way forward in the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress.
New Legal OrderUnder this new Legal Order the President has decreed his appointment as Head of State and the re-appointment of myself as the Prime Minister, and those who served previously to the same post in the new Cabinet. The President in our meeting on 10th April wanted continuity and the reform agenda to be fast tracked, including the convening of the general election by not later than September 2014.
New Legal OrderUnder this new Legal Order the President has decreed his appointment as Head of State and the re-appointment of myself as the Prime Minister, and those who served previously to the same post in the new Cabinet. The President in our meeting on 10th April wanted continuity and the reform agenda to be fast tracked, including the convening of the general election by not later than September 2014.
The Government has resurrected by decree the essential elements of the abrogated Constitution that deals with law and order, the Judiciary and other Constitutional Offices. Law & OrderThe situation remains calm around the country but the Government has issued a Public Emergency Regulations (PER), to safeguard against any illegal or subversive activities and also to ensure the smooth running of the machinery of Government. This PER will be reviewed at the end of the month.
New Administration’s Mandate
My Administration after being sworn in by the President on 10TH April, has recommitted ourselves to overseeing constitutional and electoral reforms for a better Fiji, particularly the formulation of an electoral system that is based on universal and equal suffrage. And in light of the above, I wish to request the support of the Council in the essential constitutional and electoral reform that my Government wishes to carryout in Fiji for the betterment of all her population.
I thank you Sir.
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I thank you Sir.
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Amnesty International has condemned the recent raid of the Fiji Law Society and the removal of confidential files by the newly appointed Chief Registrar of the High Court, former army legal advisor Major Ana Rokomokoti. Amnesty says it is totally unacceptable to impose rules which effectively prohibit lawyers from practising unless licensed by the illegal military government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama. It says since the coup of December 2006, the military led government has consistently attacked the independence of the judiciary. Furthermore, it says the continued harassment and intimidation of lawyers must cease immediately. Amnesty welcomes the New Zealand Law Society’s statement that it will monitor the situation. But Amnesty International says it believes the current situation will only be resolved with the sustained pressure of the international community against the injustices which are taking place with alarming and systematic regularity.
News Content © Radio New Zealand InternationalPO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand
Posted by rawfijinews
Posted by rawfijinews
Immunity to Anthony Gates to Testify against Frank Bainimarama Anthony Gates your fate is pre-ordained; you know too much, you have seen too much and you have heard too much. The very hand that commands you will eventually betray you, just as he gave the order for his men to murder the former Director of Red Cross and his partner. Frank cannot be trusted and neither can you trust yourself. Franks phobia of going to jail for his heinous crimes will lead him to exterminate all those who are able to testify against him in a lawful independent impartial and fair criminal court including the ICJ. You will be granted immunity from prosecution if you testify against the Devil incarnate. You do not have much time, redeem your soul and tell the world the truth. For once in your life think of the people, you have the power to bring this tyranny to an end with your official complaint and testimony to ensure Franks International warrant of arrest. You can do it, catch a plane and leave now!
A blogger
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A blogger
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A modern day security myth is that Australia’s physical borders may not be compromised. This assumption rests on the premise that Australia do no share a physical barbed wire fenced boarder with any other autonomous State. Not true any more, for proven pandemic seepage of unwanted visitors masquerading in droves through the so called “treaty zone” for a very long time now. Though the Hawke era showed a bit of concern, no concerted effort made to discourage cross border migration on cultural and family connection, worse, opportunist from Iryana Jaya and possibly others, are known to take advantage of this goodwill of the “Treaty Zone’, hence, a burden to the already pathetic health system in Queensland etc. Look, Mr. Bainimarama’s threat that his IG is sleeping with China and other Asian bad girls does not seem to be heeded by big boy Australia and small brother NZ. In Canberra, it is business as usual as Chinese Government owned mega Corporations are as we speak builds Aussie based Coal and later uranium plants etc, with one signed just yesterday with Queensland wealthiest Dude. Just that Fiji present regime has not won Chinas heart yet, may never will, cause Australia pays to bed China and both are laughing to the bank while we wallow in our misery like a “kisi lusi”..tsh…tsh..tsh…
Australian Defense minister Joel Fitzgibbon loves Chinese food well before he become Minister with those Beijing trips paid by wealthy Chinese lady..eh..yeah..and Mr. Rudd knows the Chinese lingo front to back, right to left. Fiji may not even mentioned at all in the security paper, but vaguely put at the security back burner as a relatively “pressing concerns”, not threat, that could wait, may be for years, and as other “Melanesian countries” that burps some “pretty negative” hot air every so often. May be Australia sees us more like a rouge territory of her own..well..with continued devaluation of our dollar we might soon be trading in the more credible Aussie currency in the streets of Suva and fish market in Nabouwalu etc.
semi meo
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semi meo
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President’s Political Dialogue Forum coordinator Jone Dakuvula must think we, the people of Fiji, will believe anything we’re told. The fundamental principle about putting out a line for public consumption, a principle which Dakuvula clearly doesn’t understand, is that what ever is being stated needs to at least sound credible. So, pretending that Fiji is not a dictatorship and that political reform will go ahead without the main political players at the table is not going to wash with anyone. But that’s obviously not what Dakuvula thinks. Or is it? Quite frankly, his talk about the regime’s correspondence with the United Nations and the Commonwealth is pure nonsense. We suspect he fully realizes that participation by either or both of those international bodies in any sort of mediation role would be strictly conditional on all the main players in Fiji having a role. But we know (and Dakuvula knows) that his boss, the dictator, will not allow that to happen, which is why Dakuvula’s feeble attempt to make it look as though some serious work is going on falls flat on its face. Like Dakuvula himself, his clumsy efforts at diplomacy are a joke.
fijidemocracynow2009
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fijidemocracynow2009
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Fiji junta resolute in wiping out media freedom
May 28, 2009
Fijilive.com has shown no signs of life today.
Earlier this morning, we broke the news after receiving word from some of our well placed sources that fijilive.com has been assasinated by Fiji’s junta. Pictures provided by fijilive.com relating to the bomb scare in Fiji was linked to this blog via one of our earlier blog post. The pictures have since disappeared from that posting following the military gremlins’ clamp down on fijilive.com. Meanwhile, we have received word that the junta is pushing on its 24/7 TV channel with Fiji TV. It is understood that the junta will be paying Fiji TV a hefty amount of taxpayers stolen funds to finance the airing of their dictatorial propaganda.
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Posted by rawfijinews
Fiji becomes a drug haven as people find illegal ways like their military government to survive
May 28, 2009
$US100 million drug raid in Fiji
May 28, 2009
$US100 million drug raid in Fiji
Police in Fiji have raided farms and found a marijuana crop with an estimated sale value of almost $US100 million. A police spokesman told Fiji media that 26 farms in the Navosa hills, on Viti Levu, were raided by the drugs unit. Officers discovered more than 15,000 plants. Eleven farmers are being questioned. It is the second major drug raid involving police and soldiers in Navosa this year.
http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/story.htm?id=18167
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Australian military to focus on immediate neighbours
May 28, 2009
By Stephen de Tarczynski
MELBOURNE, May 28 (IPS)
May 28, 2009
By Stephen de Tarczynski
MELBOURNE, May 28 (IPS)
– The Rudd government’s recently-released defence white paper outlines a substantial boost to the nation’s military capabilities and places a high priority on stability in neighbouring countries, including Indonesia and South Pacific states. After the principal task of defending Australia from direct attack, “our next most important strategic interest is the security, stability and cohesion of our immediate neighbourhood,” says the paper – specifically noting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor. The white paper signals naval, air and special forces capabilities as areas for improvement over the next twenty years. The build-up to what the Kevin Rudd-led government calls ‘Force 2030’ will include additional submarines, destroyers and frigates for the navy, while the air force will receive around 100 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. Professor Ben Reilly, director of the Centre for Democratic Institutions at the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific, told IPS that the focus on Australia’s neighbours reflects contingency planning rather than pressing concerns. He says that the government’s philosophy is based on the concern that “our immediate neighbours could potentially become a threat to Australia – not so much from themselves, but if ever they were to be influenced by unfriendly powers.” One country which Australia has – in the past – perceived as a threat to its national security is Indonesia. The white paper states that, “it is in Australia’s vital strategic interests to see a stable and cohesive Indonesia.” However, bilateral relations have improved dramatically since 1999 when the issue of East Timor’s independence heightened tensions between Canberra and Jakarta. Australia welcomed Indonesia’s move toward democracy during the ‘reformasi’ period following the 1998 downfall of long-term dictator Suharto. The mainly Muslim nation is set to vote for its next president in July – with a run-off poll in September if required. Furthermore, the two nations signed a comprehensive partnership agreement in 2005 – committing to cooperation across economic, technical and security areas. There have also been moves to liberalise trade between the two neighbours, while Indonesia remains Australia’s largest aid recipient.
An indication of the burgeoning bilateral trust and cooperation is the provision of an advanced copy of Australia’s white paper to the Indonesian military, which was also consulted during the paper’s drafting process. Reilly argues that the transition to democracy in Indonesia has been a boon for Australia’s own security. “This has had huge strategic benefits to Australia because it has meant that we no longer have an authoritarian and potentially unpredictable – and, of course, a very large, populous – state next to us,” he says.
“Democracies are much more predictable in the way they operate because they have to be accountable to voters. It is extremely unusual in the world for two democracies to ever threaten or go to war with each other,” adds Reilly. Andrew Davies, director of the operations and capability programme at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute – an independent think-tank located in the nation’s capital – agrees that a stable Indonesia is vital to security in the immediate region.
He describes the white paper’s concentration on Australia’s neighbours as a “back-to-the-future” policy. It resurrects the “old ‘concentric circles’ model of Australian defence at a time when Australia has been involved in wars in the outer of those four circles – the global-interest type wars – since 2001,” Davies told IPS. The ‘concentric circles’ defence strategy projected a series of increasingly- larger circles around the northern city of Darwin – higher security interest was placed on areas lying within the inner circles – and was popular following Australia’s withdrawal from Vietnam in 1973. This strategy was largely abandoned under the previous government, which dedicated Australian forces to significant deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But, while the current government remains committed to efforts in Afghanistan, security in the broader Asia-Pacific region will take precedence over issues in far-off places. Central to this is the rise of China – now Australia’s largest trading partner – whose influence in the region is anticipated to increase as that of the United States, Australia’s most important ally for over six decades, diminishes. While Canberra enjoys good relations with Beijing, it has expressed concerns over human rights issues in China and remains wary of its extensive military modernisation.
In a speech at a security forum in Washington D.C. last month, Australian defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon stressed that, “Australia needs to have a healthy relationship with China.” The minister also spoke of Australia’s desire “to work in partnership with China because it is a critical player in ensuring stability in our region.” But while the white paper also places high value on a stable and cohesive Southeast Asia – “our neighbours in Southeast Asia sit astride our northern approaches, through which any hostile forces would have to operate to sustainably project force against Australia,” says the paper – stability closer to Australian shores is given greater prominence.
The paper warns that, “many South Pacific island states and East Timor will continue to be beset to some degree by economic stagnation and social instability.” It points to factors such as weak governance – Australia remains highly critical of Fiji’s interim regime – crime, and climate change as reasons for which Australia must be prepared to provide humanitarian assistance or deploy military personnel in the future. “The development indicators in most of the small Melanesian countries – including East Timor – are all pretty negative. It would be prudent to, at least, plan for the possibility that we may have to conduct humanitarian or other interventions in some of those countries,” says Reilly.
Australia currently has some 650 defence personnel in East Timor to provide security after unrest broke-out in the fledgling country in 2006. There are also around 140 Australian Defence Force troops stationed in the Solomon Islands – in addition to police and civilian contributions – as part of the Australia-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), whose aim is to maintain order in a country where ethnic violence erupted in 2003.
Posted by rawfijinews
Posted by rawfijinews
You do not have to be rocket scientist either to be able to make fair and equitable performance-based reckonings on our former leaders. Depends really of the kinda barometer one uses to measure, whether it be morally, economic, political or just pure emotional presumptions. Sure varies based on personal experiences one encounters respectively with these former leaders or policies they respectivly mete out during their respective watch. Some from Eastern Fiji and a land unit in Central Eastern Viti Levu may still be fuming over Ratu Sir Sukuna’s decision not to afford their people the liberty to deal with their Native Land as other Land Owning Units in other Provinces do and reap from lease monies. SM Koya in a name many Indo-Fijians prefer to forget, IJ Narayan is a name many Fiji born Indo-Fijian loathes, Judge JR Reddy, while revered by many Fijians for his historic BLV speech is hated by many Indo-Fijian for “selling” them out. The four Chiefs Ratu Sirs?…well…the mention of one or all these honourable Chiefs name may send shives up the spine of land owners of Hydro, Pine, Sugar cane, Marine reclamation, municipal acquisitions, Airports, Provincial Corporation, Copra subsidies etc after committing long terms leases of a mere 15 measly cents an acre in the name of Vanua solidarity while overseas contractor/suncontartors milked millions and busted national budget to twice the project costs during these Chiefs watch.
Others like so called patriot PM Rabuka who may have been cajoled to commit the Coup crime only after the Fijian were shocked that political dominance lost and their fear by few Indo-Fijians who were milking the Alliance cow under the very nose of the four Ratu Sirs. Sam Speight senior will tell the depth his son George true involvement as the fall guy for some who backed out on the eleventh hour pre 2000 coup. Ratu J Seniloli and Ratu K Vakalalabure were just Lieutenants who may have just jumped with good intent to salvage the situation post Coup 2000, hence, accessory to the fact.
Uncle Chaudhry is a class of his own. He hates and was a victim of another Coup, yet, loves and overwhelming Loves another, only now he wanna file for divorce from his marriage to the Bainiamara/Ganilau/Chaudhry pre 2006 Coup dating game and Post Coup political romp.
That said, it would be unfair to list African thugs and self appointed Bishop Field Marshal Mugabe and Hajji sir Amin Dada with any of our people, Bainimarama included. These two are proven killers, mass murderers.
That said, it would be unfair to list African thugs and self appointed Bishop Field Marshal Mugabe and Hajji sir Amin Dada with any of our people, Bainimarama included. These two are proven killers, mass murderers.
The Fiji Dictator now rates just below these African killers, but definitely, not equal to these two disciples and sons of Satan. We all hope he does NOT crave for promotion to that evil league.
..mmm…scanning the ratings, we could only see that out all these Leaders, only one have been humble enough to publicly admit, publicly confessed, publicly apologise and publicly sought forgiveness and may have been found resitution in the hearts of many in Fiji and abroad…yep.. only SLR, not the Ratu Sir SLR but the kid from Drekeniwai. Shouldn’t the present Fiji Dictator now board the HMS Humility or he’s make up his mind to stay on board HMS NO TURN BACK whose only imminent and sure destination are the reefs of Nasilai…mmm…very close to the $30 Island of Nukulau.
semi meo
Posted by rawfijinews
..mmm…scanning the ratings, we could only see that out all these Leaders, only one have been humble enough to publicly admit, publicly confessed, publicly apologise and publicly sought forgiveness and may have been found resitution in the hearts of many in Fiji and abroad…yep.. only SLR, not the Ratu Sir SLR but the kid from Drekeniwai. Shouldn’t the present Fiji Dictator now board the HMS Humility or he’s make up his mind to stay on board HMS NO TURN BACK whose only imminent and sure destination are the reefs of Nasilai…mmm…very close to the $30 Island of Nukulau.
semi meo
Posted by rawfijinews
This is the Fiji TV One news report ok’ed by the junta to be beamed to the Fijian masses but they did not allow fijilive.com pictures of the same incident on the internet. Why you may wonder? It’s part of the mind control game by Fiji’s junta on its people.
Bomb threats cause disruption
Fiji TV One News – 26 May 2009
Bomb threats cause disruption
Fiji TV One News – 26 May 2009
Several shops in the capital city have been cleared by the authorities after business had to be halted and traffic diverted earlier this afternoon. The disruption to business and traffic – both vehicle and pedestrian – followed a report of an anonymous bomb threat call. Police confirm Jacks in Suva and Courts Homecentres in Samabula and businesses along Rodwell road were closed at 1pm. Roads in the affected arears were cordoned off by the authorities. Police, the National Fire Authority, St Johns Ambulance, and the military bomb squad were dispatched to the sites. They’ve been given the all clear … as investigations continue.
Check it out here http://www.fijitv.com.fj
Will team Frank take fijitv.com.fj off line now?
Check it out here http://www.fijitv.com.fj
Will team Frank take fijitv.com.fj off line now?
