Australian Opposition calls for Fiji sanctions rethink

Fiji Village News - 31 March 2011 

 Australia's Opposition is once again urging the government to rethink its approach to the military regime in Fiji. Australia has maintained a tough stance with the interim government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama since it seized power after a coup in 2006. But in recent months the United States has moved to establish closer relations with the regime, and the Opposition foreign says Australia should do the same.

Julie Bishop - Australia's Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman

Presenter:Joanna McCarthy

Speaker: Julie Bishop, Australia's opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman

BISHOP: I believe it's time for the Australian government to review its stance on Fiji, particularly time to assess whether the sanctions imposed on Fiji are working or whether they are potentially counter-productive. We must consider the impact of the sanctions on the Fijian people. I am urging Foreign Minister Rudd to refocus his efforts in the Pacific, particularly on Fiji, to see if there's a better way to restore democracy and the rule of law in Fiji.

MCCARTHY: Do you think the current approach has been counter-productive, as you say?

BISHOP: We need to review the policy and it's time for us to particularly review the sanctions. I'm urging Mr. Rudd to follow the lead of the United States, and other European nations who are reviewing their policies towards Fiji. We need to work closely with New Zealand to see if we can influence Commodore Bainimarama to hold free and fair elections as soon as possible. Our concern must be for the peace, stability and welfare of the Fijian people.

MCCARTHY: Last year, you said a coalition government would open negotiations with Frank Bainimarama about electoral reform. Do you stand by that?

BISHOP: Absolutely. I think we need to be far more creative and flexible in our approach. Mr. Rudd's policy doesn't appear to be working. I will be attending a Australia-New Zealand leadership forum shortly and I intend to raise the issue of Fiji at that forum. I'm also meeting with the Australian-Fijian Business Council next week. I have been meeting with representatives from the Fijian government and former MPs to try and come up with ways to progress Fiji's road to democracy.The policies that Mr. Rudd is following do not appear to be working.

MCCARTHY: Why would engagement with Commodore Bainimarama work though? What about the risk that you would be simply be strung along without any real positive outcome?

BISHOP: I'm focusing only on electoral reform at this point. I think the ultimate outcome must be for there to be free and fair elections so that we can return to democracy in Fiji as soon as possible. At this stage, Commodore Bainimarama is talking about an election sometime in 2014, but he's not been held to that. I think much more pressure should be put on him to commit to a date and we should work towards that with our other friends and partners in the region.

MCCARTHY: Well US officials have recently said that they'd like Fiji to hold elections before 2014. That was seen as effectively endorsing the junta's timetable. What's your position on when elections should be held? Should they be (held) immediately or do you accept this 2014 time frame?

BISHOP: The 2014 time frame was set by Commodore Bainimarama. I have no confidence that he would maintain that timetable. I would like to see steps towards an election as soon as possible. The people of Fiji deserve the right to have their say and I believe we need to see a commitment to an election as soon as possible and a restoration of the rule of law, free speech, a free press. 

MCCARTHY: US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, met with Fiji's foreign affairs minister last September. Do you think Washington is undermining Australia's foreign policy in the region?

BISHOP: Washington has made it clear that they are reviewing their policy towards Fiji. When Kurt Campbell announced last year that they would rethink their approach to Fiji, I was very disappointed that the Labor government did not follow suit or made no response at all. So Washington has made it clear that they are reviewing their policies towards Fiji, I urge Mr. Rudd to do the same.

MCCARTHY: The attempt to isolate Fiji began under your government and the foreign affairs minister, Alexander Downer. Are you now saying that that approach was wrong?

BISHOP: No, I supported the imposition of the sanctions at the time, but now many years have passed. It's time to reassess whether the sanctions imposed on Fiji are still having an effect or whether they are potentially counter-productive and damaging the economy to the detriment of the Fijian people.

MCCARTHY: And what about China's growing influence in the Pacific? Is that one of your reasons for suggesting we re-engage?

BISHOP: I am concerned that the Australian government appears to be losing influence in the Pacific. We have redirected aid away from our region. The Rudd, now Gillard government, has spread our aid budget very thinly. There have been calls for the Australian government to refocus its aid effort in the Pacific and I join with those criticisms. I believe we do need to focus on our region and that includes the Pacific Islands.

DPP recommends charges for 'plotters' as Bainimarama fishes for info

Posted on Coup Four Point Five - 28 March 2011

According to intel sources, police interviews against the alleged plotters who last year tried to overthrow the dictator Frank Bainimarama, have been completed.

Sources say the information was submitted to DPP to evaluate and decide what charges should be laid. 

The DPP has since recommended the following people be charged for trying to overthrow Bainimarama. 

 

a) Roko Ului Mara, Mohammed Aziz (although he remains in the army), Pita Driti from the Army

b) Tevita Lesu, SSP Tabakau, Tevita Uluilekeba from Police

c) Ratu Epeli Ganilau, the former Minister of Defence.

The former police commissioner, Esala Teleni, was on the list to be interviewed but sources say the questions that were sent to him remain unanswered. 

 

Sources say the above men were brought to Bainimarama's attention through the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).

The NIB approached Bainimarama on several occassions through Lt. Colonel Pio Tikoduadua and reported against Teleni and supporters.

Police and intel sources say Bainimarama was manipulated with the help of the illegal attorney general and Tikoduadua to suspect his own men from 2006, which led to Teleni's resignation last year.

Sources say four weeks ago Bainimarama visited George Speight in Naboro Prison to ask him if he knew anything about the failed plot to remove him last year. 

A prison guard has told Coupfourpointfive that Speight said to Bainimarama "Prime Minister you are finished!"

Bainimarama stormed out swearing at Speight.

Calls for Fijian democracy will be vigorous - Rudd

Posted on Otago Daily Times - 27 March 2011

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd says trans-Tasman  diplomacy calling for democracy in Fiji will continue to be    vigorous.The Pacific nation has faced diplomatic pressure since the  military took control in a 2006 coup, including suspension from the Commonwealth and the Pacific Islands Forum and   sanctions by countries including the United States, Australia  and New Zealand.

Mr Rudd said there was often a tendency to focus on what Australian and New Zealand diplomacy should be doing, rather than putting the onus on Commodore Frank Bainimarama’s  military regime.

“It actually buys into a Bainimarama assumption that the  problem lies with the rest of us rather than with the  Bainimarama regime,” he told TVNZ’s Q and A programme.

“That is, what is it that’s wrong with Australian and New Zealand diplomacy that we have somehow failed in the      Bainimarama test of causing him to conclude that it is not  right to sack your entire judiciary … that it is not right to close down the media, that it is not right to suspend  elections?

“Bainimarama is the one who must change here, and therefore if we were to so compromise and say, ‘That’s okay, only if  you have half a coup’, that is unacceptable.”

Mr Rudd said Australia and New Zealand were “doing a lot” in pushing for freedom of expression in Fiji, and diplomacy      would continue to be active.

“It will continue to be vigorous in engaging the Fijian regime. We’re not in the business of legitimising what has  been a very ugly military coup,” he said.

“The reverse is that Bainimarama must change if he is to  adhere to the standards and the norms of the Pacific Islands Forum, the standards and the norms of the Commonwealth of   Nations, the standards and the norms of the United Nations.”

New Zealand Foreign Minister Mr McCully last month said there had been little progress toward the resumption of democracy in Fiji, following a meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum’s  ministerial contact group.

“The foreign leaders spelled out a very clear position on the restoration of democracy and the report that we are obliged  to make in that respect is that we’re not yet in a position to recommend any change in policy,” he told NZPA.

Read about Torturer Penioni Naliva


Human rights organisation Amnesty International said earlier this month that the Fijian military had been arbitrarily arresting political opponents, and at least 10 people had  been targeted and subjected to torture and beatings.

Leaked Document: Youth Leader Waqavonovono on Military Goon's Hit List

Posted on Coup Four Point Five  - 20 March 2011

The following leaked document reveals the illegal regime has its evil eye on Fiji citizen 

Pita Waqavonovono. 

The regime has singled out the youth leader for surveillance apparently because he has the temerity to alert international organisations to the breaches of human rights being committed by the military and in some cases, the police. 

Coupfourpointfive will be forwarding this information to the relevant international authorities and will also be keeping a keen eye on Waqavonovono's situation. 

All cases of mistreatment and abuse must be documented. 


ATN: RFMF MC 

ATNX: 
RUEHBY1528 
RUEHLO7174 
RUEHMO3867 
RUEHFR223569RUEHKO12451 
RHMFISS784547REF: CONFIDENTIAL 

SUBJECT: UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES - WAQAVONOVONO 
----------------------------------------- 

AS DIRECTED SURVEILLANT LAUNCHED FEB19 ON ACTIVITIES BY 'YOUTHLEADERS' AND ENGAGEMENTS OF PITA WAQAVONOVONO HAS BEEN MONITORING ALL CALLS FROM WAQAVONOVONO ASSOCIATES AND ACTIVITIES AT SUBJECTS RESIDENCE - 10 YASI ROAD, DELAINAVESI.

 
WAQAVONOVONO HAS ALSO APPEARED AT QEB HEADQUARTERS RECORDED FOUR OCCASIONS TO INQUIRE ON ISSUE. 

WAQAVONOVONO HAS BEEN MEETING WITH YOUTHLEADERS [10 REACORDED] AND BUILDING CASE TO FURTHER DISTABLE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. WAQAVONOVONO IS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, HUMANRIGHTS WATCH AND OFFICE HUMANRIGHTS FOR UNITED NATIONS AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDIA REPORTS ON NEGATIVE ATTENTION TO THE STATE. 

WAQAVONOVONO HAS SPOKEN TO KNOWN MEMBERS OF ANTISTATE AGITATION. PETITION TO UNITED NATIONS TO END RFMF PEACEKEEPING SERVICES, PETITION TO END PER, ORGANISED FULLY BY SUBJECT 

WE SUPPORT THAT THEIR IS A NEED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE AND MAKE NECESSARY ACTION TO HALT ALL PLANS BY SUBJECT. SUBJECT IS CONSIDERED AS THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY. 

Police sting: drugs and drunk police official

Posted on Coup Four Point Five - 18 March 2011

This was sent to Coupfourpointfive a short time ago: 

Leaked Report Fiji National Intelligence Bureau (NIB)

Sub 1.1

Latest Priority: Classified by Dir. NIB

Authorized by COO ACP Brown

Feb 2011 (exact dates and names withheld)

Suspect Case: Drug Peddling Surveillance Report  

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Seikeli Lageri used the GN: 480 official vehicle after hours from 6pm to 2am.

GN: 480 – seen parked outside Deep Sea Night Club from 9pm to 2am with DCP Official Driver. DCP was seen drunk and in heavy conversation with one Mr. Setoki Cei Naturaga suspected drug peddler and distributor inside the Deep Sea Club.

Background on Mr. Setoki Cei Naturaga – officially charged and under NIB surveillance for the 2010 drug bust at Toorak worth more than FJ 1 million dollars. Implicated in this case is also Pita Driti Fmr. Land Force Commander.

Mr. Setoki Cei Naturaga brought three other people with him as they joined DCP in heavy drinking and chatting until 1.45am in the morning. (Conversation not recorded as our surveillance team risked being indentified by DCP).

All four people left the club at approx. 1.50 after one another with DCP Lageri going out at 1.55. GN 480 then drove him home.

…… Certain details been left out for security reasons.

Fiji Democracy Movement and SDL win its first battle.

There is definitely major support brewing for the democracy and SDL within the Fiji Police force as the NIB ( national intelligence bureau) and CID personnel find courage under the new police commissioner to gather information and open files prior to the 2006 coup and after.

The Fiji Democracy DVD that had Sam Speight beaten up – is the leading key for the change and the evidence portrayed by the DVD has been the guidelines of these brave NIB and CID major crime unit to investigate Teleni, Roko Ului and Driti.

There were very strong supporters of Teleni who were sacked before the new commissioner came in as they were hindering the process of investigations in 2006 files. ACP Berenado, SSP Rusiate ( NIB) and ACP Brown ( Fmr. D/Dir NIB) with the guideless from Mosses Driver a key supporter of SDL party  managed to have the following people removed so that investigations could proceed:

Sacked were:

1. ACP Tevita Lesu ( Chief Operations Officer and Fmr. Director CID)
2. SSP Taufa Lote ( Director Logistics)
3. SSP Tabakau ( Head of Special Police Task Force)
4. SSP Tevita Uluilakeba ( CO RAU)
5. SP Nadeem Tahir ( Deputy Director Logistics)
6. SP Nadiu ( OC Valelevu – major investigator CID)
7. ASP Gopal ( OC BMU)

After removing all these people who were hinderers to the investigation process of coup 2006, a perfect team has been set up who have complied major data on the events of 2006.

Well this is a starting point and victory to some extend.

More military officers and police revealed as QEB Goons

Posted on Coup Four Point Five - 15 March 2011

THUG AT WORK: Savenaca Siwatibau Rabuka (middle) at the Qarase blocade in 2006. Naliva at front left.

Coupfourpointfive today reveals a list of military soldiers and police identified by Fiji citizens as those who've taken part in beatings at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks.

Bovver boy Rokoura middle.

Ben Penioni Naliva has been the focus on this occasion but others from RFMF and the police have had a hand (either as ringleaders or bum boys) in the illegal acts of violence in recent years.

Savenaca Siwatibau Rabuka is one and Captain Aseri Rokoura, who was identified in the beating of trade unionist Felix Anthony, another.

And thanks to the help of reliable sources, the following have also been identified as QEB Goons or the underwear intelligence masipolos as one reader has dubbed them.

Bovver Boy Naliva left.

Where possible we have included the addresses and phone numbers. As said, the people behind the ugly practice of punishing and brutalizing citizens who disagree with  Frank Bainimarama, should not be protected. 

1) EPARAMA BULEWA. Father's name Timoci Bulewa, 50 years old, resides at Lot 11 Cevuga Road, Kalabu Housing. Home 7566 2326. Member of RFMF for 29 years.

2) SAVENACA SIWATIBAU RABUKA. 31 years old. Resides at Lot 4 Lady Davila Road, Davuilevu Housing. Phone 3385 222 extension 1490 work. home 363 1158. Army Officer.

3) MIKAELE WONG, 31 years old. Block 5 Flat 7 Grantham Road, Raiwai. Phone 3385 222 work. Home 7289 129. Army Officer.

4) DETECTIVE SERGEANT 196 APIMELEKI DIGITAKI. Father's name Taniela Mavi, 42 years old. Tomanu Road, Nadera. Police Officer.

5) KALUSI V SERU. Father's name Akariva Seru, 39 years old. Residence Raiwaqa Police compound. Phone 3310 721 (work). Police Officer.

6) VILIAME SAUMAISUE. Police officer.

Others also named with some information missing:

Private Dusi, Private Lee, and one Epeli - lay preacher at Wainivula Methodist Church and soldier by profession. Confirmation of their details to be provided.

Civilian informer: ATONIO TANABURENISAU, 60 years of age, resides Tacirua Village, Nasinu. Phone 7566 2361 (home).

MACIU VULAONO of 3FIR. The younger brother of Teleni/Atu Vulaono. Ringleader of Roko Ului's hit squad and involved in some of the tortures last year and the beating of SDL members in February 2010. 

A petition has also been launched to urge the United Nations to stop offending soldiers from peacekeeping duties. See link below.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-peacekeeping-for-fijis-abusive-military/

Editor's Note: Vinaka Vaka Levu to the reader who started the list.

Fiji Military's Penioni Naliva's Torture Squad Have Spies Overseas

Posted 12 March 2011 - Mark the Sadist Torturer Naliva

Bainimarama's staff officer, Penioni Naliva, is in fact from Nadroga. He is vasu to Kadavu.

Those in Australia, especially Sydney, beware of Naliva's relatives there who I have been advised have been serving as his spies and passing on info to Naliva on those opposing the illegal regime. In particular, Naliva has an uncle living in Lakeba St, Sydney, with relatives known to be regime supporters.

Those photographed during the Sydney marches are therefore known to Naliva's torture squad on direct line to the Dictator himself. Remember Aussie citizen from Sydney, Apete Tawake, on his visit to Fiji over Christmas, being beaten up by the same torture gang and told of his participation in the Sydney march!

All these people who spy on other Fijians need to be exposed and flushed out for who they really are - sympathisers and supporters of an illegal regime who have tortured fellow Fijians and must eventually account for it.

Below: Results of Naliva Torture Squad Handiwork - Brutalised victims  Ben Padarath (left)  & Sam Speight 

Naliva and his torture squad must face a similar fate when the illegal regime ultimately falls.

Fijian regime turns to junk bond market to refinance debt

Posted by Scoop.co.nz - 11 March 2011 

Report – By Paul McBeth of Scoop’s business desk

Report noted absence of restrictions on tourism, trade, or investment, but "private-sector investment needed for the country’s long-term development". Photo: Fiji Development Pacific Scoop

Fiji’s military regime has turned to the junk bond market to refinancing existing debt and gain working capital this year.

The South Pacific military dictatorship, ruled by Voreque Bainimarama since a 2006 coup, has sold US$250 million of five-year unsecured bonds to refinance US$150 million of notes maturing in September. The balance is expected to fund capital works.

The bonds were sold at 9 percent, with a third of the bonds going to Asian investors and the remainder to American and European accounts, according to reports.

Rating agency Standard & Poor’s gave the issue a sub-investment grade “B” rating. That matches Fiji’s foreign currency rating, reflecting the agency’s view that the lack of hard data and the country’s persistent fiscal and current account deficits leave it vulnerable to default

Still, S&P have Fiji on a positive outlook, contingent on improving the government’s books and attracting foreign aid.

New Zealand’s relationship with Fiji soured after the coup, hitting rock bottom at the end of 2008 as the Pacific nation expelled Australian and New Zealand diplomats. Since then, Foreign Minister Murray McCully has been working to improve relations since and he hopes to informally meet Bainimarama this month.

Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee supported the government’s diplomatic approach to Fiji, in a report on New Zealand’s relations with South Pacific nations, saying Fiji’s survival is in the interests of the region. It shied away from offering any specific strategies on the relationship, other than supporting the return to constitutional government.

“While we support the absence of restrictions on tourism, trade, or investment, we note that the private-sector investment needed for the country’s long-term development is unlikely to occur in the current environment,” the report said.

“We also note that those who leave Fiji represent the skill loss the country can ill afford.”

Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz