Bainimarama Buying Allegiance in Kadavu

by: Loruama Tawawili

President

DFFM USA Branch.

31 January 2010

It has been conveyed to me from Nabukelevu in Kadavu that Bainimarama has taken a vey shameful approach in trying to sell himself as a credible leader to the people of Nabukelevu. Prior to his arrival in Nabukelevu his ADC, also of Nabukelevu, went ahead of the Illegal PM's party to explain to the people of Nabukelevu the purpose of Bainimarama's visit. His ADC was telling the people of Nabukelevu that the roads are being built,schools will be upgraded in infrastructure and teachers, the improvent of Government services , a new airpstrip to be built and the construction of a new Jettyy for the people of Nabukelevu if they show allegence and agree to everything that Bainimarama is trying to do.

Before Bainimarama arrived in Nabukelevu he made sure that all the roads were upgraded by Government workers which included some military engineers and that everything was just right for him to arrive. The people of Nabukelevu are now saying that they were glad that the roads that were already there were weeded out because the grass had grown back because there were no vehicles to use the roads.

Bainimara was seen by the people of Nabukelevu as someone trying to buy their allegiance. Now the people of Nabukelevu are seeing Bainimarama for the shameful tactics he is using to promote himself as a leader and the people of Nabukelevu are saying that compared to Qarase, Bainimarama is below being a novice. As I have said in the beginning this was conveyed to me directly from Nabukelevu.

Bainimarama’s Predatory State

Fiji Military Forces barracks up in Smokes Bainimarama’s Predatory State

By Free Fiji

Fiji’s illegal regimes new Criminal Procedure Decree that comes into effect on Monday 1st February 2010, are the final acts of a predatory state seeking Legitimacy- the life giving oxygen for its survival. Some four years later, this is it, the big, “Final Solution.”

For Baimimarama’s Predatory State, this is the last weapon it has to use to survive. The theory goes that the fear of life incarceration will finally bludgeon those critics of his regime and the people into submission.

It is cruel coercion plain and simple. Bainimarama’s military training with the Chileans has exposed him well to such draconian measures. That country was famous for silencing all and sundry critics.

This decree is chiefly concerned with protecting the Bainimarama regime and nothing more. Like Chilean dictator Pinochet who ruled for nearly two decades from 1973 this decree is used to ferret out and persecute political dissidents. Over 3,000 citizen of Chile were killed or are still missing as a result of such decrees.

Again there have been calls from some international coup apologists this week for Australia and New Zealand to relax Travel Bans in support of re-engagement. Even though Australia and New Zealand have been magnanimous enough to not slap trade bans on and not cut aid.

They argue you will get a better caliber of civil servants and those serving on statutory boards etc.

This is simply not true .What right minded person would want to sacrifice his/ her professional integrity for an uncertain future? Job security is non existent with a dictatorial regime, provided you are a lackey.

See what happened to the recently fired magistrates and DPP lawyers – arbitrary firing, no due process and avenue to redress.

Former Foreign affairs CEO Ratu Isoa Gavidi got the boot all for what? Giving the man sound diplomatic advice to enter into dialogue.

More so hoping meritocracy gets you to the top with the regime is a piped dream. Forget it.

Bainimarama posts his own people to tell him what he wants to hear.

Look at the wholesale sacking of nine government ministers back in 2007.

Basically what Bainimarama is saying is ‘Don’t confuse me with facts my minds made up!’

The latest grandstanding with New Zealand regarding Leweni’s posting is a sham. Why conduct a public campaign by releasing Leweni’s name in the open press if the Nadi meeting was all in good faith?

Obviously to pressure New Zealand in bad faith. As Driti openly admits, ‘they are testing the Kiwis’! I mean they tried the same thing with Malaysia as regards Driti’s posting. They politely and quietly refused without much fan fare and a firm, ‘Terima kasih menyimpan dia’ (thankyou- keep him- or even better – promote him!)

Bainimarama has a set mindset- in other words it is not in his DNA to Dialogue! New Zealand likes to be seen to understand the Pacific and it does in many ways. She did great with the Bougainville truce and peace accord.

But with Prime Minister Keys trying to play the honest broker (and elections around the corner) with a known serial liar- it is high risk for him. Bainimarama is only interested in regime survival. A return to liberal democracy with the military back to barracks is totally off the cards with him.

His brand of militarism is here to stay. So many good RFMF officers have lost their careers to attest to this. So stop fooling yourselves.

We are in for a protracted predatory military rule with the façade of democracy. Fiji’s society has become one big espionage network which the regime is trying its best to spread overseas to New Zealand and Australia with its sympathizes.

This has been the mode of operating for dictatorial regimes of the past. In Fiji people spy on their neigbours in order to curry favour with the regime.

In Australia and New Zealand these coup apologists suffer from messianic delusions that Bainimarama has the magic bullet but really have revenge as their underlying motive.

Why are there so many draconian decrees? Obviously it facilitates a false sense of legitimacy at the same time grandstanding to the world that the peoples’ regimented silence is acquiescence.

Why is the Land Force Commander defending the regime when you have a whole Ministry of Defence with Ganilau, his CEO etc that sits above him?

Indeed making overt threats to society at large is predatory mentality of the lowest animal order. They need the military watchdog to keep barking to frighten the very tax payers who they owe their living to. Compounding this mentality, the PM and his predatory state has been very generous in dispensing with others, honest work tax dollars to the military for keeping national security intact!

The national dialogue forum set for February 2010 for want of a better phrase is “simply pissing in each others pockets”. The puppet of a CEO at the PM’s office say’s “No race based political organization should be represented”. Well if that’s the case they should exclude the military because it is now the most race based political institution ever created by mankind not only in Fiji but the world with 99 % Indigenous Fijians.

Then again who cares, so long as we have our babakau and draunimoli tea.

Kai Colo

Any negativity against regime treated as treason

Sai's Comments:

• - Isa Noqu Viti, just where is the illegitimate regime taking you and its people?
• - This latest decree confirms for all to see how punitive, repressive and vindictive the regime has become in its quest to terrorize the people to follow its will. Where will it all end and how far can the people of Fiji withstand these withering attacks on their freedom and livelihood as citizens?
• - More importantly, what exactly are the motives behind these decrees other than the intention to shut out for good any semblance of opposition to the regime's illegal rule.
• - How can anyone in their right mind ever support such an action? Yet we have Fijians in the regime who somehow appear totally oblivious to the acts of terrorism being perpetrated through these actions.
• - Will such decrees ever stand up in any democratic and legally constituted courts? Never. Sadly though, what is now required from within and without Fiji is a Regime Change- similar to that in Iraq by the Coalition Forces. The state of the nation of Fiji and the terrorism now exacted on its citizens by the regime is no different, other than in scale, to that of Saddam Hussein in pre-invasion Iraq.
• - The solution now for Fiji is nothing short than a full scale effort to throw out the regime there for the sake of the people of Fiji. It is time that sanctions against the regime be tightened further as current initiatives have only emboldened them to flex their muscle and poke their nose at those offering helpful advice and assistance. I am glad Australia and NZ are maintaining their stance on sanctions and other freedom loving nations must follow.
• - Otherwise Fiji and its people will slowly but surely crumble under the weight of the restrictions placed on their freedom, dignity and self respect.

Coupfourpointfive

, JANUARY 30, 2010

Fiji's new Criminal Procedure Decree which comes into effect on Monday is more serious than it looks according to sources.

One part of the decree limits what the Fiji media can report on a criminal case.

Under Section 201 0f the Decree, the Fiji media can only report on the name of magistrate hearing the case, identity of the court, the name, age and occupation of the accused, the accused person’s lawyer and where the accused has been remanded or bailed.

Media reports can also include a summary of the offence with which the accused has been charged with.

The maximum fine for any media organization or journalist not abiding by the decree is $10,000.

Of more serious concern is under Chapter Three - Part 10 Criminal Offences.

Under subsection 65 Part 2 individuals and NGO's criticising Frank Bainimarama's regime are deemed to have committed treason and this is punishable by life imprisonment.

Under the decree, an individual will also be arrested at Nadi airport if they make criticisms against the interim government overseas.

The decree also states that any individual sending or communicating any negativity from overseas to Fiji or vice-versa or within Fiji is also guilty of sedition and faces life imprisonment

Apology: Criminal Decree story

Coupfourpointfive would like to apologise for the inaccurate story on the Criminal Decree that we've received criticism for.

The mistake was not intentional. We work under pressure and sometimes it can become too much.

It has now been corrected and we continue to strive for accuracy as best as we can.

Vinaka.

Law Society says pension cut could deter judges

Fiji Law Society says pension cut could deter judges from speaking out

Radio New Zealand International - 29 January 2010

The President of the Fiji Law Society says fear of losing their pensions under a new decree could deter some judges from speaking out against the interim government.

The decree gives the Prime Minister the power to stop government pensions and benefits to those who criticise or undermine the regime, or incite hatred.

It specifically includes the Judges Remuneration and Emoluments Act among the legislation it covers.

That’s led the Law Society President Dorsami Naidu to say some judges, many of whom speak out about what’s happening in the country, may be worried.

He says the threat of losing their pensions could make them think twice about their comments, if they do not have an independent income.

“For some it would because that’s the only livelihood they have. They would have no other source of income with which to survive. So they would keep quiet at least, keep mum as it were.”
Dorsami Naidu says the wording of the decree is open to interpretation and Commodore Bainimarama has said it will be used to target those who speak out.

News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

PER Extended for Another 30 days

29 January 2010

The Public Emergency Regulation has been extended for another 30 days effective from the 1st of February.

President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has signed the extension of the PER in a gazette under the Public Safety Act.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has already confirmed that the PER will be lifted as soon as the new Media Decree comes into place in Fiji.

The Attorney General's Office is currently working on the new Media Decree.

Once the Media Decree is ready, consultations will be held with the stakeholders.

Commodore Bainimarama has also confirmed that the government will not hold any consultations with Fiji Television and Fiji Times.

Bainimarama promises inter-net to Kadavu school

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, January 29, 2010

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has promised the Kadavu Provincial School will that it will have internet access before the end of next week.

Commodore Bainimarama says education is a vital part of our nation development.

FBC reporter Apisalome Coka is in Kadavu and files this report:

"The Prime Minister accepted a request from management of Kadavu Provincial High School to start Form 7 next year.

He says government will work on the issue and will see that Form 7 starts next year.

Bainimarama has promise the school their computer will have access to the internet will arrive in the school by Tuesday next week.

The military man told the people of Kadavu that two institutions institution targeted by the government is to rapidly expand education and health facilities.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to return to Suva this afternoon.

SDL expects Fiji regime to cut pension to 40 members

Radio New Zealand International - 29 January, 2010

The political party which was ousted from power in Fiji expects more than 40 of its members will lose their pensions under a new decree.

The Prime Minister’s office has told reporters they should look to the last parliament if they want to know who has been sent pension termination letters under the decree, which gives the prime minister the power to stop retirement benefits to those who criticise the regime or incited hatred.

Peceli Kinivuwai, the general secretary of the SDL Party, which was ousted in the 2006 coup, says his party members have yet to receive notification their pensions have been cut.

But comments from the regime lead him to expect that they will.

“Our members are ready to face the wrath of the removal of our pensions. Basically there’s not much we can do because someone is in control. They are running the show, and this is a government decision, and everyone will have to abide by that.”

Peceli Kinivuwai

The former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed his pension has been cut.

Radio New Zealand International

PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

Fiji offers marijuana alternative

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, January 29, 2010

Government is building roads and supplying machines and planting materials to the people of Navosa as it tries to discourage people in the province from farming marijuana.

Commissioner Western, Commander Joeli Cawaki, says it is not only the police that’s taking the fight against marijuana to the people.

He says other stakeholders such as his office and the Ministry of Agriculture are also doing their bit.

Commander Cawaki says his staff are continually visiting marijuana farmers and advising them of the social and health problems marijuana brings to Fiji, especially to young people.

He says roads are being built to open up land that can be cultivated and the Ministry of Agriculture is supplying machines and planting materials to help people revert to farming other crops.

Already three tractors have been supplied to assist people in the Sigatoka Valley to cultivate their land.

Government also plans to build a processing plant in the province and to pay farm gate prices for all agricultural produce taken there.

Australia's Travel Bans To Remain In Place

Intelligentsiya - 29 January 2010

Australia has ruled out easing travel bans on the Fiji regime as long as there is a lack of progress towards returning Fiji to democracy and the rule of law.

The foreign ministry in Canberra says it has noted a paper by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute which calls on Australia to change its stance towards Fiji.

It says as soon as the Fiji interim government takes credible and concrete steps to return Fiji to democracy and the rule of law, consideration will be given to moderating travel and other sanctions.

It says travel sanctions, which apply to less than one per cent of Fiji’s population, remain an effective means of encouraging a return to democracy and the rule of law in Fiji.

Canberra has also ruled out a resumption of defence cooperation as the military commander, Commodore Bainimarama, leads an interim government which the Fiji courts have declared unlawful.

The ministry says Fiji’s suspension from the Forum and involvement in PACER Plus is a matter for the entire region to decide upon

It also says Fiji continues to benefit from privileged access to Australian markets, and Australia remains the largest foreign investor in Fiji, one of its top trading partners and its major source of tourism.

Clamp-down on Media and Lawyers in the pipeline

The military regime is ultra-paranoid about what the media and the legal fraternity can do to possibly jeopardise their one-sided and farcical national forum dialogue. So they move ahead with more concrete muzzling strategies that take effect from next month.

The media will be told how to do their jobs via a Criminal Procedure Decree, while legal practitioners now have another illlegal body policing how they go about their business.

A regional media freedom watchdog, Pacific Freedom Forum, has already lambasted the military regime's intent to curb media freedom in Fiji.

The chief instigator of all things decreed and illegal in Fiji, Aiyaz Saiyed Khaiyum attempts to placate fellow legal practitioners by saying:

“Being a professional person, if you carry out your work professionally according to the rules and ethics set, then you would not have a concern about the Tribunal. I think those who are probably concerned about this would be people who may not necessarily be adhering to legal rules and codes of conduct.”

Khaiyum probably doesn't really listen to the garbage that comes out of his mouth.

It is more likely that the majority of the legal practitioners who they're trying to muzzle know their profession and appreciate what the legal terms "illegal" & "treason" mean, far better than he and his ex- military legal divisionpartner's in crime -- Ana Rokomokoti and Aca Raiyawa -- ever will.

Who's Importing All The Sri Lankans?

In a very hush-hush move, the very illegal President yesterday swore in two more judicial officers from Sri Lanka.

Who could be facilitating all these imports into our courts?

The illegal CJ Tony Gates has links to Sri Lanka and personally went across to make the pitch to the Sri Lankan Govt. We also suspect that FNPF Board Member, Ajith Kodagoda, who is also the Sri Lankan consul here (as well as the Chief Financial Officer of CJ Patel) could also be involved.

Customs officers plead for Australia, NZ help

www.fijitimes.com - Thursday, January 28, 2010

THE Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority has urged Australia and New Zealand to assist Fiji in terms of training officers.

FIRCA chairman Colonel Pio Tikoduadua made the plea to Australia and New Zealand during the International Customs Day celebration at the FIRCA Complex in Nasese on Tuesday. Col Tikoduadua said Australia and New Zealand should assist the country in technical expertise on border control because it would be beneficial to all parties.

"It's important for us because Customs is at the forefront of border control and we depend on them and security and border control agencies to protect Fiji and its people," he said.

"Our border is just too big for what we can afford to protect, so we call for all agencies to work together, see their resources and how they can carry out their work efficiently without having to duplicate their work.

"We are calling on our neighbours, particularly regional and international organisations, for assistance. But Australia and New Zealand will not allow us to send people for work attachments.

"It is also in their interest that Fiji is safe."

FIRCA chief executive Jitoko Tikolevu confirmed that his officers were denied from some training programs in these countries.

He added that all training on border control was conducted through the Oceania Customs Organisation in Suva.

He said the OCO was funded by New Zealand with each 22 member country giving contributions as well.

Pensions better used by villagers

www.fijitimes.com - Thursday, January 28, 2010

THE Prime Minister's office says savings generated by stopping pension payments to former parliamentarians, civil servants, and former ministers would be better utilised by villagers in the islands.

The permanent secretary in the PM's office, Lieutenant-Colonel Pio Tikoduadua, made the comment while hinting some former parliamentarians would also have their pensions stopped.

The State has enforced the Regulation of Pensions and Retirement Allowances Decree 2010 which states government pensioners who promoted or incited feelings of ill-will and hostility and undermined the current administration would soon stop receiving payments.

Former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka had his pension payment stopped and official vehicle taken.

The Fiji Labour Party, meanwhile, confirmed none of their former ministers received letters notifying them of a pension cease.

Under the decree, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has the authority to cease the allowance, salary, pension and any other benefits under the Parliamentary Retirement Allowances Decree 1989, the Prime Minister's Pensions Act 1994, the Judges Remuneration and Emoluments Act (Cap.16) and the Pensions Act 1983.

According to the 2010 Budget estimates, total payout on pensions, gratuities and compassionate payments total $37.62million.This includes a $143,000 pension payout for war pensioners and a $3m allocation for Lebanon pensioners (Fiji Military Forces).

Gratuity payments to contracted officers would total $855,000. The pension payments include payments to widows and orphans of deceased public officers.

Pension payments for former presidents and prime ministers were increased to $500,000 from $220,000.

The 2010 Budget also had an allocation of $2.1m for former MPs.

Tuisolia Stay hearing complete

www.fijitimes.com - Thursday, January 28, 2010

THE hearing on a stay application by former Airports Fiji Ltd CEO Ratu Sakiusa Tuisolia ended yesterday.

Justice Daniel Goundar will decide on the proceedings by Tuisolia on the grounds FICAC withheld crucial information, abused court process and manipulated a scheduled trial date.

Tuisolia's lawyer Devanesh Sharma and FICAC prosecutor Madhawa Tennakoon presented arguments.

Mr Sharma raised the chronology of events and how FICAC amended charges against his client, in the process suppressing crucial information.

He said FICAC had initially charged Tuisolia for unauthorised use of a company credit card.

Mr Sharma referred to a statement by AFL finance manager Atish Chand, who stated the AFL board approved the expenditure.

He said the statement, was obtained by FICAC in 2008.

Mr Sharma said despite the discrepancies in proceedings, they were ready for trial between November 25 and 28. Two days before the trial, FICAC served volumes of discourses.

Mr Sharma said he presumed the late service of disclosures was a tactic to abort the trial date.

Mr Tennakoon said the amended charges were based on the same witnesses and statements and they did not see this as prejudice to Tuisolia .

Justice Goundar adjourned the case to March 19 for ruling on the stay application.

Legal Commission ‘an independent avenue’

www.fijilive.com - 28 January 2010

Complaints against lawyers in Fiji will now be dealt with independently and fairly instead of being assessed by their own peers as was the previous practice, says Attorney General Aiyaz-Sayed Khaiyum.

Sayed-Khaiyum was referring to the Independent Legal Services Commission which he officially opened in Suva today.

The Commission has been operational for several months, hearing disciplinary cases against lawyers.

“We borrowed the Decree (Legal Practitioner’s Decree 2009) from New South Wales and Queensland (to set up the Commission) so there’s nothing new about it,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“It’s simply the question of having the political will and putting our heads together to see whether it can work in Fiji.”

Such a system he said, will also create a sense of empowerment for citizens.

Sayed-Khaiyum said there had been complaints against lawyers of trivial matters such as lawyers being rude to clients to abuse of trust fund accounts.

Commissioner and former High Court judge John Connors told FijiLive the use of new technology such as video facilities was a timely boost for them and would improve their service.

Connors said he hoped the technology would be used in other government departments like Fiji’s courts for the sake of transparency and efficiency.

Fijians used for ‘dirty politics’, says PM

www.fijilive.com - 28 January 2010

Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says his government wants to put a stop to ordinary Fijians being used for political gain by leaders in politics and in churches.

Speaking during his first official visit this year to Nalotawa Village in the western province of Ba, the PM said most of the time, Fijians, especially those in the rural areas, were being used in what he said was useless talk for dirty politics.

“No more will Fijians be used in dirty politics or racist issues. We want Fiji to become prosperous and we want you to become successful,” Bainimarama said.

“We want to make sure that come the 2014 elections, we will not be dealing anymore with any dirty politics as such,” he told the villagers.

“We want our leaders in politics, in churches and in all cross-sections of the community to be good role models, not to involve people in politics,” he added.

Villagers raised wide-ranging concerns from inaccessibility to urban areas due to poor road conditions to the need for a reliable supply of water.

The PM was invited there by the tikina (district) of Yakete.

The government has banned the influential Methodist Church from holding its annual conference until 2014, saying the church’s hierarchy needs to remove political elements from its midst.

Tavua Qoliqoli Owners want Respect

www.fijitimes.com - Wednesday, January 27, 2010

TAVUA tikina representative Apisalome Ulusova is asking that fishermen respect areas of their traditional fishing ground that have been restricted.

Mr Ulusova said for the past three to four years, they had managed to sustain the marine and coral life on part of their qoliqoli area known as Salisali, Manava.

"After the death of the Tui Tavua, Ratu Ovini Bokini, we noticed that a lot of vessels, licensed and unlicensed, and even individual fishermen, began fishing in the area. The laws were broken and we tried to stop this by reporting it to the police and the Fisheries Department but poachers continue to be a threat."

He said they were now trying to secure the help from the navy and military to monitor their fishing ground and stop the poachers.

Methodists want talks, 2010 conference

FIJILIVE News-January 26, 2010

Methodist Church executives in Fiji say they are still waiting to hear from government after a planned meeting with Police Commissioner Esala Teleni was put on hold.

Church general secretary Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu told FijiLive their main agenda for the meeting was to find out why the government wants to stop the annual church conference for the next five years.

“We want to rationalise with him (Teleni) why government wants to do this,” Waqairatu said.

He said the church was still preparing to host this year’s conference earmarked for the last week of August and first week of September.

The stalemate follows allegations by Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama that the previous government of Laisenia Qarase had members of the church on the police Special Branch payroll to spy on the military.

The church had denied the allegations saying they needed names in order to conduct an internal investigation.

Church Deputy General Secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra told FijiLive they would only conduct an internal investigation upon receiving information they have requested police to provide.

Police spokesperson Ema Mua said they were not obliged to provide the church with any information because they (the church) were still under investigation. Mua added the church should not wait for any names and should go ahead and conduct their own investigation.

Permanent secretary for Information Major Neumi Leweni also told FijiLive the decision not to have the annual Methodist Church conference for the next five years had already been made.

Leweni said the meeting between government and the church would not be happening anytime soon.

He would not say why.