Wednesday, 09 December 2009
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Admiral Frank Bainimarama's Foolish Little Nation
FIJI is in danger of becoming the basket case of the Pacific as it continues to reject democracy and thumb its nose at its former international partners.
Unemployment is up, earnings are down and tourism once its biggest revenue source is drying up as countries and travellers shun its sun-drenched shores. The island's self-appointed prime minister Frank Bainimarama has refused to heed Australia and New Zealand's advice and return the country to democracy before his chosen election date of 2014 and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad last week confirmed that Fiji was banned from next year's Commonwealth Games in India.
It has also been expelled from the pacific Forum and has had its European aid severely cut back.
The 30 per cent drop in tourism can only be partially blamed on the global financial crisis and the January floods; neighbouring countries have all reported increased tourism as travellers boycott the rogue state.
In the face of mounting international pressure, CHOGM refused to consider Fiji's re-entry to the Commonwealth until the restoration of constitutional civil democracy and the protection of fundamental human rights.
Bainimarama refuses to countenance any backdown and continues his autocratic rule with the help of the armed forces and the belief that he is ruling in the best interests of the country. His bullying of the media has helped stifle any concerted voice of dissent. The Fiji Times, has been closed down, re-opened, its journalists threatened, arrested and harassed and writers of letters criticial of the regime have been brow beaten and threatened. Australian and New Zealand correspondents have been deported for reports critical of the government.
It is in the Pacific area's best interests to have a vibrant, active and democratic Fiji back working within the various Pacific rim forums and the Commonwealth. Ostracism benefits no-one and the CHOGM intent to leave the door open for Fiji to resume some sort of contact is a welcome one.
The catalyst for that change has to come from within, perhaps with the persuasion of fellow island nations in the area.
Following the sacking of the judiciary last April, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith promised sanctions if order was not restored. The suspension from the Commonwealth in September seems to have done nothing to change Bainimarama's stance and, despite the official CHOGM open door, there is a real need to apply further sanctions.
This is about the rights of the Fijians and the future of the country and only the restoration of democracy can bring that about.
Geelong Advertiser Editorial 12-07-09
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